Engage Encore Pro EX vs GAMMA Obsidian 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Encore Pro EX takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Engage Encore Pro EX edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 80.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
72 vs 70
Spin
Too close to call
74 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
102 vs 105 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$130 at IQ 80.9 vs $150 at IQ 80.3
Overall pick: Engage Encore Pro EX · $130 · IQ 80.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power72
- 88Control86
- 74Spin74
- 89Forgiveness88
- 90Sweet spot86
- 80Stability78
- 84Maneuverability84
- 66Pop68
- 86Touch86
- 85Consistency84
- 50Swing weight62
- 74Twist weight72
- 68Launch angle46
- 60Plow through68
- 90Softness86
Engage Encore Pro EX vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Encore Pro EX | GAMMA Obsidian 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 — better | 80.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.8 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Textured graphite composite |
| Core material | Control core | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
GAMMA Obsidian 16 verdict
The softest paddle in this group and one of the lightest-swinging. Softness 86 plus a 102 swing weight is a recipe for confident dinks — provided you accept a low power ceiling.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: Engage Encore Pro EX scores 68 against 46 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Encore Pro EX is $20 cheaper at $130.
Launch angle
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 22 points (68 vs 46).
Swing weight
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 12 points (62 vs 50).
Plow through
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 8 points (68 vs 60).
Sweet spot
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
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
Engage Encore Pro EX
Engage Encore Pro EX is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 90 vs 86, stability 80 vs 78, twist weight 74 vs 72. Twist weight 5.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 81.8 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $20.
- Control
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.8 vs 77.3 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $20.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Encore Pro EX
Engage Encore Pro EX is a narrow pick at this level — softness 90 vs 86, twist weight 74 vs 72, forgiveness 89 vs 88. Its 16 mm Control core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want launch angle (+22), sweet spot (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Engage Encore Pro EX carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 80.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Engage Encore Pro EX. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 72 for power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 102 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 88 versus 86. 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 74 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). GAMMA Obsidian 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.2 vs 5.9), but Engage Encore Pro EX makes it back on sweet spot (90) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Engage Encore Pro EX costs $130, $20 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?
- Engage Encore Pro EX: 16 mm Control core with a Fiberglass composite face. GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Encore Pro EX is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. GAMMA Obsidian 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the GAMMA Obsidian 16 to the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Encore Pro EX leads on launch angle by 22 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $130 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and GAMMA Obsidian 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.