CRBN-3X Power Series vs Ronbus Tenon
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-3X Power Series takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Ronbus Tenon wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed on Paddle DNA against the CRBN-3X Power Series, which costs $170.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 87
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
110 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $180 at IQ 87.8
Overall pick: Ronbus Tenon · $180 · IQ 87.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power88
- 90Control91
- 93Spin90
- 89Forgiveness88
- 90Sweet spot89
- 88Stability88
- 74Maneuverability78
- 84Pop83
- 88Touch89
- 89Consistency90
- 74Swing weight72
- 88Twist weight86
- 55Launch angle54
- 84Plow through82
- 78Softness85
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Ronbus Tenon specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Ronbus Tenon |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $180 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 87.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Foam-perimeter thermoformed 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.
Ronbus Tenon verdict
Ronbus doing what Ronbus does: a flagship-tier build at a mid-tier price. The Tenon lands closest to the premium all-court paddles on scored traits while costing about $100 less.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Ronbus Tenon scores 85 against 78 for CRBN-3X Power Series — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, swing weight, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($170 vs $180) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Ronbus Tenon leads by 7 points (85 vs 78).
Maneuverability
Ronbus Tenon leads by 4 points (78 vs 74).
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 88.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CRBN-3X Power Series, hybrid on the Tenon.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 87.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CRBN-3X Power Series, hybrid on the Tenon.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 86.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CRBN-3X Power Series, hybrid on the Tenon.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Ronbus Tenon
Ronbus Tenon is a narrow pick at this level — softness 85 vs 78. Its 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you prefer an elongated face and a 5.25 in handle and a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core — it gives up nothing measurable to Ronbus Tenon.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Ronbus Tenon
Take Ronbus Tenon if you want softness (+7), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus Tenon review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Ronbus Tenon FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Ronbus Tenon?
- CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 87.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Ronbus Tenon leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus Tenon, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for CRBN-3X Power Series. 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 Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon scores 88 for power against 87 for CRBN-3X Power Series. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus Tenon at 91 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?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Ronbus Tenon. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). Ronbus Tenon actually carries the higher twist weight (6.7 vs 6.6), but CRBN-3X Power Series makes it back on sweet spot (90) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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. Ronbus Tenon: 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Ronbus Tenon, 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 Ronbus Tenon 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. Ronbus Tenon rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8 oz, though swing weight differs (114 vs 110) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus Tenon to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus Tenon leads on softness by 7 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $170 vs $180, 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
- Tenon vs R1 Pulsar
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Infinity Ruby 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.
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Coral Pro
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Infinity Ruby 16
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs J2CR
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs CRBN-1X
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 Ronbus Tenon in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Ronbus Tenon. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.