GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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
- 72Power72
- 86Control92
- 74Spin80
- 88Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot87
- 78Stability82
- 84Maneuverability81
- 68Pop68
- 86Touch91
- 84Consistency89
- 62Swing weight56
- 72Twist weight76
- 46Launch angle58
- 68Plow through66
- 86Softness88
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 | 82.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 — better | 6.1 |
| 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 | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Tempest control core |
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 V3 verdict
The reference control paddle for players who do not want the weight of a 20 mm build. Touch scores trail only the Luxx.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 scores 58 against 46 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, forgiveness, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($150 vs $150) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 12 points (58 vs 46).
Control
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Spin
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Swing weight
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 6 points (62 vs 56).
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 Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 89 vs 84, stability 82 vs 78, twist weight 76 vs 72. Twist weight 6.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — control 92 vs 86, spin 80 vs 74, touch 91 vs 86. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 80 vs 74, touch 91 vs 86, control 92 vs 86. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 84 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Tempest Wave V3, standard on the Obsidian 16.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want launch angle (+12), control (+6), spin (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want swing weight (+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 V3 vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 80.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 measures 72 on power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Tempest control core core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 Wave V3 scores 80 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 74 for the Textured graphite composite face on GAMMA Obsidian 16. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, with 6.2 twist weight against 6.1. 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 $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core core with a Textured carbon face. GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, 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 V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the GAMMA Obsidian 16 to the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads on launch angle by 12 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $150 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.
- Tempest Wave V3 vs SLK Halo Control
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs R1 Pulsar
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 Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.