Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2

Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.

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Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16

Engage

Pursuit Pro EX 16

86$220
Full review →
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2

Six Zero

Double Black Diamond Control V2

85$170
Full review →

Quick answer

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, which costs $220.

Overall pick: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 · $170 · IQ 85.4

Paddle DNA head-to-head

  • 82Power80
  • 90Control90
  • 86Spin88
  • 88Forgiveness88
  • 88Sweet spot88
  • 86Stability86
  • 76Maneuverability78
  • 74Pop74
  • 90Touch88
  • 90Consistency88
  • 72Swing weight72
  • 84Twist weight82
  • 46Launch angle48
  • 82Plow through78
  • 86Softness80

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 specs

Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.

Head-to-head specification comparison of the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2.
SpecEngage Pursuit Pro EX 16Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Street price(USD)$220$170 — better
IQ score(/ 100)85.9 — better85.4
Weight(oz)8.38
Core thickness(mm)1616
Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster114111
Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable6.86.8
Shapeelongatedstandard
Face length(in)16.516
Face width(in)7.47.9
Handle length(in)5.55.25
Grip circumference(in)4.254.25
SurfaceTextured graphiteRaw Toray T700 carbon
Core materialControl Pro Black coreThermoformed polypropylene honeycomb

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 verdict

Engage's soft-core philosophy taken to its logical end. Launch angle 46 is the lowest in the database — the ball simply does not pop up off resets.

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 verdict

The V2 keeps the original DBD's forgiveness and adds face texture. Control 90 with sweet spot 88 in a standard shape is the safest upgrade path in the database.

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 86 against 80 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is $50 cheaper at $170.

  • Softness

    Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).

  • Plow through

    Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (82 vs 78).

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

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.5 vs 86.9 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and keep the $50.

  • Twist weight
  • Consistency

Intermediate

3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and keep the $50.

  • Power
  • Touch
  • Consistency

Advanced / tournament

4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and keep the $50.

  • Plow through
  • Power
  • Touch

Arm-sensitive players

Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load

Narrow

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 80, twist weight 84 vs 82. Its 16 mm Control Pro Black core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.

  • Softness
  • Twist weight
See the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16

Which one should you buy?

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16

Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want softness (+6), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.

Read the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 review →

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2

Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 if you prefer a standard face and a 5.25 in handle and a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core — it gives up nothing measurable to Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16.

Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 review →

Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 FAQ

Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 85.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 6 points.
Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
Which paddle has more power, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 82 for power against 80 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. That comes from a 16 mm Control Pro Black core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
Which one gives more control and touch?
Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for control.
Which paddle spins the ball more?
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 88 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Textured graphite face on Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness, off the same 6.8 twist weight.
Is the price difference worth it?
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 costs $170, $50 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 Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 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 Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 avoids.
Which one is better for beginners?
Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (88) and sweet spot (88) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
Which is lighter in the hand?
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 to the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads on softness by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $220 vs $170, 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.

Top alternatives to both

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Guides featuring these paddles

Still deciding? These buying guides put Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 in context against the rest of the database.

Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.