Franklin Signature Carbon STR 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 Carbon STR, which costs $110.
Power
Too close to call
78 vs 76
Spin
90 vs 80
Control
93 vs 83
Forgiveness
91 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 79.8 vs $190 at IQ 88
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power78
- 83Control93
- 80Spin90
- 85Forgiveness91
- 86Sweet spot92
- 78Stability90
- 82Maneuverability82
- 76Pop72
- 79Touch92
- 81Consistency91
- 54Swing weight68
- 72Twist weight90
- 63Launch angle50
- 64Plow through72
- 82Softness89
Franklin Signature Carbon STR 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 Carbon STR | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
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 72 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on power, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $80 cheaper at $110.
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Swing weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 14 points (68 vs 54).
Touch
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 13 points (92 vs 79).
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 13 points (63 vs 50).
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 72, stability 90 vs 78, consistency 91 vs 81. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
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 — control 93 vs 83, spin 90 vs 80, touch 92 vs 79. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — touch 92 vs 79, spin 90 vs 80, plow through 72 vs 64. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Plow through
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 — softness 89 vs 82, twist weight 90 vs 72, forgiveness 91 vs 85. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+13), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want twist weight (+18), swing weight (+14), touch (+13). 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 Carbon STR vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 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 Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 78 for power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 108 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 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 10-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 85). Its 7.2 twist weight against 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 Carbon STR costs $110, $80 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. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 5.25 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?
- 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 Carbon STR 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 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 Carbon STR to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on twist weight by 18 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $110 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.