Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Six Zero Quartz Control wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature 16 Composite, which costs $70.
Power
Too close to call
81 vs 78
Spin
90 vs 68
Control
93 vs 83
Forgiveness
91 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 $190 at IQ 88
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power78
- 83Control93
- 68Spin90
- 72Forgiveness91
- 70Sweet spot92
- 67Stability90
- 80Maneuverability82
- 76Pop72
- 84Touch92
- 74Consistency91
- 66Swing weight68
- 50Twist weight90
- 52Launch angle50
- 75Plow through72
- 86Softness89
Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature 16 Composite | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.5 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.5 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Composite/Fiberglass | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 against 50 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 40-point gap. They are effectively level on power, plow through, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature 16 Composite is $120 cheaper at $70.
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 40 points (90 vs 50).
Stability
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 23 points (90 vs 67).
Spin
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 22 points (92 vs 70).
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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 50, sweet spot 92 vs 70, forgiveness 91 vs 72. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, forgiveness 91 vs 72, control 93 vs 83. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, touch 92 vs 84, control 93 vs 83. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 50, forgiveness 91 vs 72, softness 89 vs 86. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want pop (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want twist weight (+40), stability (+23), spin (+22). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 40 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, 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 Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite scores 81 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 83. 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 72). Its 7.2 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, $120 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. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.25 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 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 Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on twist weight by 40 points; everything else is within 23 points. At $70 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
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- 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.
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- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature 13
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
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 Six Zero Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.