Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Quartz Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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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
Specs
| $70 | Price | $190 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.1 oz | Weight | 7.9 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 108 |
| 5.6 | Twist weight | 7.2 |
| elongated | Shape | standard |
| Composite/Fiberglass | Surface | Raw carbon friction |
| 5.6 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 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 measures 81 on 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 7.2 twist weight against 5.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher forgiveness score (91) as a result.
- 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 unstable 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.
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 Perseus 14
- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature 13
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
- Quartz Control vs Magnus 3S 16
- Quartz Control vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Quartz Control vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Quartz Control vs Bantam ALW-C 14
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
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.