Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Honolulu J6CR
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Honolulu J6CR takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Honolulu J6CR wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature 16 Composite, which costs $70.
Power
90 vs 81
Spin
Too close to call
70 vs 68
Control
Too close to call
83 vs 81
Forgiveness
81 vs 72
Hand speed
Too close to call
110 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
$70 at IQ 73.5 vs $195 at IQ 77.9
Overall pick: Honolulu J6CR · $195 · IQ 77.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power90
- 83Control81
- 68Spin70
- 72Forgiveness81
- 70Sweet spot80
- 67Stability72
- 80Maneuverability80
- 76Pop81
- 84Touch84
- 74Consistency78
- 66Swing weight66
- 50Twist weight59
- 52Launch angle56
- 75Plow through75
- 86Softness80
Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Honolulu J6CR specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature 16 Composite | Honolulu J6CR |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 — better | $195 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.5 | 77.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 | 5.9 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.48 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 7.52 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 6 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.5 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Composite/Fiberglass | Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Multi density foam |
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.
Honolulu J6CR verdict
Honolulu's multi-density all-foam core paired with a carbon and fiberglass face — the fiberglass adds free pop that the all-carbon J2CR does not give you.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is sweet spot: Honolulu J6CR scores 80 against 70 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature 16 Composite is $125 cheaper at $70.
Sweet spot
Honolulu J6CR leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
Power
Honolulu J6CR leads by 9 points (90 vs 81).
Forgiveness
Honolulu J6CR leads by 9 points (81 vs 72).
Twist weight
Honolulu J6CR leads by 9 points (59 vs 50).
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
Honolulu J6CR
Honolulu J6CR is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 80 vs 70, forgiveness 81 vs 72, twist weight 59 vs 50. Twist weight 5.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Honolulu J6CR
Honolulu J6CR is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 81 vs 72, power 90 vs 81, spin 70 vs 68. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Power
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Honolulu J6CR
Honolulu J6CR is a narrow pick at this level — power 90 vs 81, spin 70 vs 68. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.6 vs 76.5 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite and keep the $125.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want softness (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →Honolulu J6CR
Take Honolulu J6CR if you want sweet spot (+10), power (+9), forgiveness (+9). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J6CR review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Honolulu J6CR FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the Honolulu J6CR?
- Honolulu J6CR carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (77.9 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — sweet spot — Honolulu J6CR leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 110 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the Honolulu J6CR?
- Honolulu J6CR scores 90 for power against 81 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite. That comes from a 16 mm Multi density foam core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 83 versus 81. 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?
- Honolulu J6CR scores 70 for spin off its Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass face, against 68 for the Composite/Fiberglass face on Franklin Signature 16 Composite. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Honolulu J6CR, with the higher forgiveness score (81 vs 72). Its 5.9 twist weight against 5.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite costs $70, $125 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?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face. Honolulu J6CR: 16 mm Multi density foam core with a Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J6CR, at 6 in of handle against 5.6 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Honolulu J6CR avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Honolulu J6CR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 81 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature 16 Composite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.1 oz with the same 110 kg·cm² swing weight.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the Honolulu J6CR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J6CR leads on sweet spot by 10 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $70 vs $195, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and Honolulu J6CR. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.