CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN's two foam platforms, compared by players deciding which one to buy into. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 82.6), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
87 vs 87
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 92
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 87
Forgiveness
89 vs 82
Hand speed
102 vs 113 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$280 at IQ 87.9 vs $280 at IQ 82.6
Overall pick: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 · $280 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power87
- 87Control89
- 92Spin92
- 82Forgiveness89
- 82Sweet spot91
- 75Stability90
- 93Maneuverability74
- 81Pop79
- 88Touch88
- 81Consistency89
- 53Swing weight78
- 65Twist weight91
- 53Launch angle58
- 63Plow through82
- 79Softness89
CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage | CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.6 | 87.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | TruFoam™ Floating Core | TruFoam full-foam core |
CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage verdict
The Barrage is CRBN's power interpretation of the TruFoam platform: a 14 mm hybrid whose full-foam core keeps the ball on the face longer than any thermoformed build at this power level.
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 verdict
The forgiving shape in the Genesis line. It trades the elongated model's reach for a wide face, the highest twist weight of the three, and a noticeably easier reset at the kitchen.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 scores 91 against 65 for CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage — a 26-point gap. They are effectively level on control, pop, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $280, so price cannot break the tie.
Twist weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 26 points (91 vs 65).
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 25 points (78 vs 53).
Maneuverability
CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 19 points (93 vs 74).
Plow through
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 19 points (82 vs 63).
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
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 91 vs 65, stability 90 vs 75, sweet spot 91 vs 82. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.9 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, standard on the TruFoam Genesis 2.
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 86 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, standard on the TruFoam Genesis 2.
- Plow through
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 89 vs 79, twist weight 91 vs 65, forgiveness 89 vs 82. Its 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
Take CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage if you want maneuverability (+19). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage review →CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 if you want twist weight (+26), swing weight (+25), plow through (+19). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 review →CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 82.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 26 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 87 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 at 89 versus 87. Its 14 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 92 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 82). Its 7 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $280. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage: 14 mm TruFoam™ Floating Core with a Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, 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 CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads on twist weight by 26 points; everything else is within 25 points. At $280 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a hand speed vs plow through decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
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The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs J6CR
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
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- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Coral Pro
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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- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Coral Pro Hybrid UPA-A
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Coral Pro
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs OMNI 16
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Infinity Ruby 16
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage and CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage and CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.