GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs VERSIX Strike 4F
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 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the VERSIX Strike 4F, which costs $15.
Power
72 vs 66
Spin
74 vs 52
Control
86 vs 72
Forgiveness
88 vs 80
Hand speed
96 vs 102 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$15 at IQ 69.7 vs $150 at IQ 80.3
Overall pick: GAMMA Obsidian 16 · $150 · IQ 80.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power66
- 86Control72
- 74Spin52
- 88Forgiveness80
- 86Sweet spot78
- 78Stability62
- 84Maneuverability94
- 68Pop84
- 86Touch70
- 84Consistency70
- 62Swing weight40
- 72Twist weight60
- 46Launch angle72
- 68Plow through48
- 86Softness72
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs VERSIX Strike 4F specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | VERSIX Strike 4F |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $15 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 — better | 69.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 10 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 96 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 — better | 5.4 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.4 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.75 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.1 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Glass fiber composite |
| 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.
VERSIX Strike 4F verdict
At $15 this is a loaner-bin paddle done properly: light, poppy and durable enough for a season of open play. Nobody should keep playing with it once they can consistently dink.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: VERSIX Strike 4F scores 72 against 46 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 26-point gap. VERSIX Strike 4F is $135 cheaper at $15.
Launch angle
VERSIX Strike 4F leads by 26 points (72 vs 46).
Spin
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 22 points (74 vs 52).
Swing weight
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 22 points (62 vs 40).
Plow through
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 20 points (68 vs 48).
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 the clearer pick at this level — stability 78 vs 62, consistency 84 vs 70, forgiveness 88 vs 80. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Stability
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 74 vs 52, control 86 vs 72, touch 86 vs 70. At 102 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 74 vs 52, plow through 68 vs 48, touch 86 vs 70. Swing weight 102 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 72, forgiveness 88 vs 80, twist weight 72 vs 60. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want spin (+22), swing weight (+22), plow through (+20). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →VERSIX Strike 4F
Take VERSIX Strike 4F if you want launch angle (+26), pop (+16), maneuverability (+10). Its swing weight of 96 kg·cm² and 10 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the VERSIX Strike 4F review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs VERSIX Strike 4F FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the VERSIX Strike 4F?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.3 vs 69.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — VERSIX Strike 4F leads by 26 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- VERSIX Strike 4F, at 96 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 VERSIX Strike 4F?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 72 for power against 66 for VERSIX Strike 4F. 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 86 versus 72. 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 74 for spin off its Textured graphite composite face, against 52 for the Glass fiber composite face on VERSIX Strike 4F. In practice a 22-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 80). Its 6.2 twist weight against 5.4 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- VERSIX Strike 4F costs $15, $135 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. VERSIX Strike 4F: 10 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Glass fiber composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- VERSIX Strike 4F, at 5.1 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. VERSIX Strike 4F rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- VERSIX Strike 4F at 7.3 oz against 7.7 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (96 vs 102) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the VERSIX Strike 4F to the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. VERSIX Strike 4F leads on launch angle by 26 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $150 vs $15, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Obsidian 16 vs Black Ace LG
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put GAMMA Obsidian 16 and VERSIX Strike 4F in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and VERSIX Strike 4F. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.