GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. GAMMA Obsidian 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
GAMMA Obsidian 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (80.3 vs 79.8), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
72 vs 70
Spin
Too close to call
74 vs 74
Control
93 vs 86
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
100 vs 102 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$150 at IQ 80.3 vs $150 at IQ 79.8
Overall pick: GAMMA Obsidian 16 · $150 · IQ 80.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power70
- 86Control93
- 74Spin74
- 88Forgiveness82
- 86Sweet spot80
- 78Stability76
- 84Maneuverability88
- 68Pop64
- 86Touch92
- 84Consistency88
- 62Swing weight58
- 72Twist weight62
- 46Launch angle42
- 68Plow through66
- 86Softness90
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro 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 Wave Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14.3 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 — better | 6 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.75 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Patented Poly Core II |
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 Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 72 against 62 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $150, so price cannot break the tie.
Twist weight
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 10 points (72 vs 62).
Control
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 7 points (93 vs 86).
Forgiveness
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Sweet spot
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
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
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 72 vs 62, forgiveness 88 vs 82, sweet spot 86 vs 80. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a narrow pick at this level — control 93 vs 86, touch 92 vs 86, maneuverability 88 vs 84. At 100 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77.3 vs 79 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5 in on the Obsidian 16, 5.25 in on the Tempest Wave Pro.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 82.7 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5 in on the Obsidian 16, 5.25 in on the Tempest Wave Pro.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want twist weight (+10), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want control (+7), touch (+6), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- 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 — twist weight — GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 102 for GAMMA Obsidian 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 Wave Pro?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 72 for power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 102 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 93 versus 86. Its 14.3 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 74 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Its 6.2 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?
- 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. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, 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 Wave Pro 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 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads on twist weight by 10 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $150 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
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Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.