GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
The two composite-faced, easy-to-play paddles beginners compare in retail stores. 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.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power74
- 86Control84
- 74Spin72
- 88Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot86
- 78Stability80
- 84Maneuverability82
- 68Pop70
- 86Touch82
- 84Consistency84
- 62Swing weight66
- 72Twist weight74
- 46Launch angle48
- 68Plow through70
- 86Softness82
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $160 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.4 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Textured fiberglass composite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
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.
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 verdict
A conservative, durable standard-shape paddle. Spin 72 is well behind raw carbon, but forgiveness 86 and a 105 swing weight make it one of the easier paddles here to play well immediately.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is touch: GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 86 against 82 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($160 vs $150) that it should not break the tie.
Touch
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Swing weight
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 leads by 4 points (66 vs 62).
Softness
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
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 (82.8 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Radical Tour Ultra 16, standard on the Obsidian 16.
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.3 vs 81.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Radical Tour Ultra 16, standard on the Obsidian 16.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (76.5 vs 77.3 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Radical Tour Ultra 16, standard on the Obsidian 16.
- Touch
- Spin
- Maneuverability
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 86. 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?
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
Take HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 if you want swing weight (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 review →GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want touch (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 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 — touch — GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 measures 74 on power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 86 versus 84. 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 74 for spin off its Textured graphite composite face, against 72 for the Textured fiberglass composite face on HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, with 6.4 twist weight against 6.2. 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?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass composite face. GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, 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. HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 to the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads on touch by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $160 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.
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Signature Carbon STR
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.