Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs GAMMA Obsidian 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. GAMMA Obsidian 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power72
- 83Control86
- 80Spin74
- 85Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot86
- 78Stability78
- 82Maneuverability84
- 76Pop68
- 79Touch86
- 81Consistency84
- 54Swing weight62
- 72Twist weight72
- 63Launch angle46
- 64Plow through68
- 82Softness86
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | GAMMA Obsidian 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 80.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.8 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Textured graphite composite |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
GAMMA Obsidian 16 verdict
The softest paddle in this group and one of the lightest-swinging. Softness 86 plus a 102 swing weight is a recipe for confident dinks — provided you accept a low power ceiling.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 63 against 46 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $40 cheaper at $110.
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 17 points (63 vs 46).
Pop
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Swing weight
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 8 points (62 vs 54).
Touch
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 7 points (86 vs 79).
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 (81.4 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $40.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81 vs 81.8 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $40.
- Touch
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77 vs 77.3 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $40.
- Touch
- Plow through
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 82, forgiveness 88 vs 85. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+17), pop (+8), spin (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want swing weight (+8), touch (+7), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.3 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR measures 76 on power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 86 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 80 for spin off its Raw carbon face, against 74 for the Textured graphite composite face on GAMMA Obsidian 16. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, with 6.2 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and GAMMA Obsidian 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $40 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 Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, at 5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature Carbon STR rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on launch angle by 17 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $110 vs $150, 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 Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Obsidian 16 vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Obsidian 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Obsidian 16 vs Tempest Wave V3
- Obsidian 16 vs Encore Pro EX
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and GAMMA Obsidian 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.