Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, which costs $210.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
82 vs 76
Control
Too close to call
81 vs 81
Forgiveness
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
81 vs 74
Hand speed
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
113.5 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
$195 at IQ 78.7 vs $210 at IQ 80.4
Overall pick: Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface · $195 · IQ 78.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 88Power90
- 81Control81
- 82Spin76
- 74Forgiveness81
- 76Sweet spot80
- 86Stability72
- 68Maneuverability80
- 88Pop81
- 76Touch84
- 81Consistency78
- 82Swing weight68
- 82Twist weight62
- 52Launch angle56
- 89Plow through75
- 58Softness80
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $195 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 — better | 78.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 113.5 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.45 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.48 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.52 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 6 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Crystal Blue Endurance Surface (blue grit textured face) |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Multi density foam |
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power verdict
A more livable Gearbox. It keeps most of the drive velocity of the Pro Power while adding enough stability to survive hands battles.
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface verdict
The J6CR shape, core and handle with Honolulu's Crystal Blue Endurance Surface. Honolulu publishes the same weight (8.0-8.2 oz), swing weight (111-116) and twist weight (6.2-6.7) ranges for both versions, so the face is the change.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface scores 80 against 58 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, power, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface is $15 cheaper at $195.
Softness
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface leads by 22 points (80 vs 58).
Twist weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 20 points (82 vs 62).
Stability
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
Swing weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
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
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 62, stability 86 vs 72, consistency 81 vs 78. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 80 vs 68, touch 84 vs 76, forgiveness 81 vs 74. At 113.5 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.2 vs 81.5 on the weighted index). Take Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface and keep the $15.
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface is the clearer pick at this level — softness 80 vs 58, forgiveness 81 vs 74. Its 16 mm Multi density foam core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Take Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface if you want softness (+22), maneuverability (+12), touch (+8). Its swing weight of 113.5 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want twist weight (+20), stability (+14), swing weight (+14). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Where to Buy
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power FAQ
- Which is better, the Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.4 vs 78.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface, at 113.5 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface scores 90 for power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 16 mm Multi density foam core swinging at 113.5 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 81 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power scores 82 for spin off its Solid-span carbon face, against 76 for the Crystal Blue Endurance Surface (blue grit textured face) face on Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface, with the higher forgiveness score (81 vs 74). Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power actually carries the higher twist weight (6.5 vs 6.45), but Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface makes it back on sweet spot (80) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface costs $195, $15 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?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface: 16 mm Multi density foam core with a Crystal Blue Endurance Surface (blue grit textured face) face. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface, at 6 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 81 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface at 8.1 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113.5 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface to the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface leads on softness by 22 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $195 vs $210, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a touch vs pop decision
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Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Honolulu J6CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.