GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and control on Paddle DNA against the GAMMA Obsidian 16, which costs $150.
Power
76 vs 72
Spin
84 vs 74
Control
92 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Hand speed
102 vs 107 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 80.3 vs $190 at IQ 84.5
Overall pick: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 · $190 · IQ 84.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power76
- 86Control92
- 74Spin84
- 88Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot86
- 78Stability84
- 84Maneuverability80
- 68Pop72
- 86Touch92
- 84Consistency90
- 62Swing weight68
- 72Twist weight78
- 46Launch angle46
- 68Plow through74
- 86Softness88
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 | 84.5 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.4 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Poly-Core II 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.
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 verdict
Paddletek's control benchmark. Control 92, touch 92 and softness 88 with a 107 swing weight is the classic soft-game recipe, updated with a raw carbon face for spin 84.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 84 against 74 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, softness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. GAMMA Obsidian 16 is $40 cheaper at $150.
Spin
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Control
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Stability
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Touch
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
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
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is a narrow pick at this level — stability 84 vs 78, twist weight 78 vs 72, consistency 90 vs 84. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 84 vs 74, control 92 vs 86, touch 92 vs 86. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 74, plow through 74 vs 68, touch 92 vs 86. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 and keep the $40.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you want spin (+10), control (+6), stability (+6). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.5 vs 80.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 107 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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 Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 76 for power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 at 92 versus 86. 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 86). Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.4 vs 6.2), but GAMMA Obsidian 16 makes it back on sweet spot (86) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 costs $150, $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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16: 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, 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?
- 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. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 107) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the GAMMA Obsidian 16 to the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads on spin by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $150 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Obsidian 16 vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Obsidian 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Obsidian 16 vs Tempest Wave V3
- Obsidian 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Vision CGS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put GAMMA Obsidian 16 and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.