CRBN-3X Power Series vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-3X Power Series wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 87
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Forgiveness
89 vs 85
Hand speed
114 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $280 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power90
- 90Control93
- 93Spin93
- 89Forgiveness85
- 90Sweet spot87
- 88Stability90
- 74Maneuverability71
- 84Pop85
- 88Touch90
- 89Consistency92
- 74Swing weight79
- 88Twist weight85
- 55Launch angle55
- 84Plow through88
- 78Softness84
CRBN-3X Power Series vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 | 88.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer |
CRBN-3X Power Series verdict
The 3X keeps the 1X length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in, which buys a noticeably larger sweet spot at the cost of two-handed backhand room.
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 verdict
JOOLA's foam-era flagship. It keeps the Perseus hybrid footprint but adds perimeter foam, so drives leave hotter without the control numbers collapsing.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 84 against 78 for CRBN-3X Power Series — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-3X Power Series is $110 cheaper at $170.
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 5 points (79 vs 74).
Forgiveness
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 4 points (89 vs 85).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (89 vs 87.9 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $110.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 87.3 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $110.
- Control
- Power
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 88.3 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $110.
- Plow through
- Power
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $110.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want softness (+6), swing weight (+5), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 87.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 87 for CRBN-3X Power Series. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 versus 90. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 93 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 85). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-3X Power Series costs $170, $110 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-3X Power Series is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN-3X Power Series to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on softness by 6 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $170 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs 2X Power Series
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Perseus CFS 16
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Double Black Diamond Control
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Luxx Control Air
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs OMNI 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Infinity Ruby 16
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs J2CR
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs CRBN-1X
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Coral Pro
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs OMNI 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-3X Power Series and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.