Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and spin on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature 16 Composite, which costs $70.
Power
85 vs 81
Spin
90 vs 68
Control
Too close to call
83 vs 82
Forgiveness
Too close to call
72 vs 70
Hand speed
Too close to call
110 vs 112 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$70 at IQ 73.5 vs $80 at IQ 77
Overall pick: Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 · $80 · IQ 77
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power81
- 82Control83
- 90Spin68
- 70Forgiveness72
- 68Sweet spot70
- 73Stability67
- 76Maneuverability80
- 79Pop76
- 85Touch84
- 75Consistency74
- 69Swing weight66
- 59Twist weight50
- 51Launch angle52
- 79Plow through75
- 82Softness86
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Franklin Signature 16 Composite specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 | Franklin Signature 16 Composite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $80 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 77 — better | 73.5 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 12.7 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 112 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 — better | 5.6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.75 | 5.6 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.5 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber | Composite/Fiberglass |
| Core material | Control Pro Black Polymer Core | Polypropylene |
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 verdict
A thin 12.7 mm elongated build with a soft Control Pro core — an unusual pairing that produces quick hands and a low launch instead of the usual thin-core pop.
Franklin Signature 16 Composite verdict
A fiberglass-faced elongated paddle at a rec-league price. Composite faces give up spin to carbon, but they hand back free pop that beginners actually benefit from.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 scores 90 against 68 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, swing weight, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($80 vs $70) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Twist weight
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 9 points (59 vs 50).
Stability
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 6 points (73 vs 67).
Power
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 4 points (85 vs 81).
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 (70 vs 68.5 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.75 in on the Pursuit Pro MX 12.7, 5.6 in on the Signature 16 Composite.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, power 85 vs 81, touch 85 vs 84. At 112 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, power 85 vs 81, plow through 79 vs 75. Swing weight 112 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (74.5 vs 75.6 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.75 in on the Pursuit Pro MX 12.7, 5.6 in on the Signature 16 Composite.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
Take Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 if you want spin (+22), twist weight (+9), stability (+6). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want maneuverability (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Franklin Signature 16 Composite FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 or the Franklin Signature 16 Composite?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (77 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 or the Franklin Signature 16 Composite?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 scores 85 for power against 81 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite. That comes from a 12.7 mm Control Pro Black Polymer Core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 83 versus 82. 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?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 scores 90 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber face, against 68 for the Composite/Fiberglass face on Franklin Signature 16 Composite. In practice a 22-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, with the higher forgiveness score (72 vs 70). Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 actually carries the higher twist weight (5.9 vs 5.6), but Franklin Signature 16 Composite makes it back on sweet spot (70) 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?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7: 12.7 mm Control Pro Black Polymer Core with a Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber face. Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.6 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 72 and sweet spot 70 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 8.1 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $80 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 and Franklin Signature 16 Composite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.