CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power92
- 87Control78
- 92Spin82
- 82Forgiveness70
- 82Sweet spot72
- 75Stability78
- 93Maneuverability76
- 81Pop90
- 88Touch72
- 81Consistency76
- 53Swing weight74
- 65Twist weight68
- 53Launch angle60
- 63Plow through88
- 79Softness54
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage | Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $250 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.6 — better | 77.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 — better | 5.9 |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 3.5 |
| Surface | Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face | Solid-span carbon fiber |
| Core material | TruFoam™ Floating Core | Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) |
CRBN 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.
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power verdict
Nothing else feels like a Gearbox. The solid-span core has no honeycomb at all, so energy return is immediate and the paddle rewards a clean, compact swing.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power scores 88 against 63 for CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage — a 25-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power is $30 cheaper at $250.
Plow through
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power leads by 25 points (88 vs 63).
Softness
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 25 points (79 vs 54).
Swing weight
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power leads by 21 points (74 vs 53).
Maneuverability
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads by 17 points (93 vs 76).
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 CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 82 vs 70, sweet spot 82 vs 72, consistency 81 vs 76. Twist weight 6.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage is the clearer pick at this level — maneuverability 93 vs 76, touch 88 vs 72, spin 92 vs 82. At 102 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage is a narrow pick at this level — touch 88 vs 72, maneuverability 93 vs 76, spin 92 vs 82. Swing weight 102 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage is the clearer pick at this level — softness 79 vs 54, forgiveness 82 vs 70. Its 14 mm TruFoam™ Floating Core core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
Take CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage if you want softness (+25), maneuverability (+17), touch (+16). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage review →Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power if you want plow through (+25), swing weight (+21), pop (+9). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power review →CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage or the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 77.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power leads by 25 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage or the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power measures 92 on power against 87 for CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage. That comes from a 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage at 87 versus 78. 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?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon fiber face on Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, with 6.1 twist weight against 5.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power costs $250, $30 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 CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage: 14 mm TruFoam™ Floating Core core with a Raw T700 Carbon Fiber Face face. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power: 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core with a Solid-span carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power to the CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power leads on plow through by 25 points; everything else is within 25 points. At $280 vs $250, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs Coral Hybrid 16
- 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
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Power Pro X 14
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Vanguard Power Air
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage and Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.