GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG
The two softest paddles in the database, compared for players managing arm pain. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ProKennex Black Ace LG 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 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the ProKennex Black Ace LG, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
74 vs 72
Spin
82 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Hand speed
102 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 80.3 vs $200 at IQ 83.1
Overall pick: GAMMA Obsidian 16 · $150 · IQ 80.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power74
- 86Control88
- 74Spin82
- 88Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot86
- 78Stability82
- 84Maneuverability78
- 68Pop70
- 86Touch90
- 84Consistency88
- 62Swing weight70
- 72Twist weight78
- 46Launch angle48
- 68Plow through76
- 86Softness92
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | ProKennex Black Ace LG |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 | 83.1 — 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 | 6.4 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Kinetic core with damping chambers |
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.
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 82 against 74 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. GAMMA Obsidian 16 is $50 cheaper at $150.
Spin
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Swing weight
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points (70 vs 62).
Plow through
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Maneuverability
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
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
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 78 vs 72, stability 82 vs 78, consistency 88 vs 84. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.7 vs 81.8 on the weighted index). Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — spin 82 vs 74, plow through 76 vs 68, touch 90 vs 86. Swing weight 109 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — softness 92 vs 86, twist weight 78 vs 72. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want spin (+8), swing weight (+8), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs GAMMA Obsidian 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.1 vs 80.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 74 for power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 88 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 82 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 74 for the Textured graphite composite face on GAMMA Obsidian 16. In practice an 8-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 6.4 and 6.2.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 costs $150, $50 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (88) and sweet spot (86) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- 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 ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on spin by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a hand speed vs plow through decision
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put GAMMA Obsidian 16 and ProKennex Black Ace LG in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and ProKennex Black Ace LG. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.