Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series One Project Black 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
- 88Power86
- 81Control86
- 82Spin90
- 74Forgiveness80
- 76Sweet spot82
- 86Stability86
- 68Maneuverability72
- 88Pop82
- 76Touch82
- 81Consistency84
- 82Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight86
- 52Launch angle54
- 89Plow through86
- 58Softness68
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
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.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Proton Series One Project Black scores 68 against 58 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, plow through, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($210 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 10 points (68 vs 58).
Spin
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Forgiveness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
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
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 80 vs 74, sweet spot 82 vs 76, twist weight 86 vs 82. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 82, control 86 vs 81, forgiveness 80 vs 74. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 82, touch 82 vs 76, control 86 vs 81. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — softness 68 vs 58, forgiveness 80 vs 74, twist weight 86 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want pop (+6), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want softness (+10), spin (+8), forgiveness (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 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 Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power measures 88 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Coreless carbon core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 81. 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice a 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $210 vs $200, 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs 2X Power Series
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.