Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 Pro IV 14 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (77.5 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 81
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
109 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
$70 at IQ 73.5 vs $250 at IQ 77.5
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 · $250 · IQ 77.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power81
- 83Control86
- 68Spin90
- 72Forgiveness72
- 70Sweet spot70
- 67Stability70
- 80Maneuverability83
- 76Pop76
- 84Touch88
- 74Consistency76
- 66Swing weight64
- 50Twist weight56
- 52Launch angle49
- 75Plow through73
- 86Softness85
Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 Pro IV 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.5 | 77.5 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 | 5.8 — 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 | Charged Carbon Surface Technology |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Propulsion 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 Pro IV 14 verdict
Gen 4 propulsion core in the thinner 14 mm shell. You get the Pro IV's spin and pop without the swing weight that slows the 16 mm version in fast exchanges.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 scores 90 against 68 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on control, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature 16 Composite is $180 cheaper at $70.
Spin
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Twist weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 6 points (56 vs 50).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 70.5 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite and keep the $180.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, control 86 vs 83, maneuverability 83 vs 80. At 109 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, touch 88 vs 84, maneuverability 83 vs 80. Swing weight 109 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.6 vs 76.2 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite and keep the $180.
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you prefer a 5.6 in handle and a 16 mm Polypropylene core — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 if you want spin (+22), twist weight (+6), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (77.5 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14, at 109 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 Pro IV 14?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 81 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 Pro IV 14 scores 90 for spin off its Charged Carbon Surface Technology 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 5.8.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite costs $70, $180 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 Pro IV 14: 14 mm Propulsion Core with a Charged Carbon Surface Technology 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 Pro IV 14 at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $70 vs $250, 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 Pro IV 14 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- 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
- Signature 16 Composite vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
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 14
- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature 13
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Perseus 14
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Signature 13
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
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 Pro IV 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.