GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and spin on Paddle DNA against the GAMMA Obsidian 16, which costs $150.
Power
82 vs 72
Spin
84 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Hand speed
102 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$150 at IQ 84.2 vs $150 at IQ 80.3
Overall pick: ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 · $150 · IQ 84.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power82
- 86Control86
- 74Spin84
- 88Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot88
- 78Stability84
- 84Maneuverability78
- 68Pop78
- 86Touch84
- 84Consistency86
- 62Swing weight68
- 72Twist weight82
- 46Launch angle52
- 68Plow through80
- 86Softness80
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 | 84.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Raw carbon fiber |
| 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.
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 verdict
Onix finally ships a raw-carbon face. Forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 in a standard shape make it one of the safest $150 paddles on the market.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 scores 80 against 68 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, touch, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $150, so price cannot break the tie.
Plow through
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Power
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
Spin
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Pop
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
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
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 72, stability 84 vs 78, sweet spot 88 vs 86. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.8 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Obsidian 16, 8 oz on the Evoke Pro Carbon 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the clearer pick at this level — power 82 vs 72, spin 84 vs 74, plow through 80 vs 68. Swing weight 109 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Obsidian 16, 8 oz on the Evoke Pro Carbon 16.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want maneuverability (+6), softness (+6). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
Take ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 if you want plow through (+12), power (+10), spin (+10). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.2 vs 80.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 scores 82 for power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 74 for the Textured graphite composite face on GAMMA Obsidian 16. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.2 and 6.7.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $150. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up 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. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable 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 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the GAMMA Obsidian 16 to the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads on plow through by 12 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $150 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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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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- Obsidian 16 vs Tempest Wave V3
- Obsidian 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs R3 Pulsar
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Prism Flash V2 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put GAMMA Obsidian 16 and ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.