Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus 14 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus 14 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (76.8 vs 73.5), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
81 vs 80
Spin
90 vs 68
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
72 vs 72
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
$70 at IQ 73.5 vs $120 at IQ 76.8
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus 14 · $120 · IQ 76.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power80
- 83Control86
- 68Spin90
- 72Forgiveness72
- 70Sweet spot70
- 67Stability66
- 80Maneuverability86
- 76Pop76
- 84Touch88
- 74Consistency75
- 66Swing weight63
- 50Twist weight53
- 52Launch angle49
- 75Plow through69
- 86Softness85
Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature 16 Composite | JOOLA Perseus 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 — better | $120 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.5 | 76.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 | 5.7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.5 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Composite/Fiberglass | Carbon Fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Honeycomb Polypropylene Core |
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.
JOOLA Perseus 14 verdict
The 14 mm Perseus trades the 16 mm's plow-through for a firmer, faster response. It is the version to buy if you counter-attack rather than grind out drops.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: JOOLA Perseus 14 scores 90 against 68 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on control, swing weight, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature 16 Composite is $50 cheaper at $70.
Spin
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Maneuverability
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Plow through
Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads by 6 points (75 vs 69).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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 (68.5 vs 69.2 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Control
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus 14
JOOLA Perseus 14 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, maneuverability 86 vs 80, control 86 vs 83. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus 14
JOOLA Perseus 14 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, maneuverability 86 vs 80, touch 88 vs 84. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.6 vs 75.6 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite and keep the $50.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want plow through (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →JOOLA Perseus 14
Take JOOLA Perseus 14 if you want spin (+22), maneuverability (+6), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus 14 review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (76.8 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite. Lower 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 JOOLA Perseus 14?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite scores 81 for power against 80 for JOOLA Perseus 14. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 86 versus 83. 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?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 scores 90 for spin off its 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 72 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 5.6 and 5.7.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite costs $70, $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?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face. JOOLA Perseus 14: 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core with a Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Franklin Signature 16 Composite avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (72) and sweet spot (70) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 7.8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus 14 leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $70 vs $120, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature Carbon STR
- Perseus 14 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Perseus 14 vs Scorpeus 14
- Signature 16 Composite vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature 16 Composite vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Signature 16 Composite vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Signature 16 Composite vs Flare Graphite
- Signature 16 Composite vs Evoke Premier
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Signature 16 Composite vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature 13
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
- Perseus 14 vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Perseus 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus 14 vs GX2 Integra XL
- Perseus 14 vs Signature 13
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Franklin Signature 16 Composite and JOOLA Perseus 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and JOOLA Perseus 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.