Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Six Zero Quartz Control wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, which costs $210.
Power
88 vs 78
Spin
90 vs 82
Control
93 vs 81
Forgiveness
91 vs 74
Hand speed
108 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$190 at IQ 88 vs $210 at IQ 80.4
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power78
- 81Control93
- 82Spin90
- 74Forgiveness91
- 76Sweet spot92
- 86Stability90
- 68Maneuverability82
- 88Pop72
- 76Touch92
- 81Consistency91
- 82Swing weight68
- 82Twist weight90
- 52Launch angle50
- 89Plow through72
- 58Softness89
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 89 against 58 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 31-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Quartz Control is $20 cheaper at $190.
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 31 points (89 vs 58).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 17 points (91 vs 74).
Plow through
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 17 points (89 vs 72).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 16 points (92 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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 74, sweet spot 92 vs 76, consistency 91 vs 81. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — maneuverability 82 vs 68, forgiveness 91 vs 74, control 93 vs 81. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — touch 92 vs 76, maneuverability 82 vs 68, spin 90 vs 82. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — softness 89 vs 58, forgiveness 91 vs 74, twist weight 90 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 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 plow through (+17), pop (+16), 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 →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+31), forgiveness (+17), sweet spot (+16). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 31 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 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 Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power scores 88 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 74). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Quartz Control costs $190, $20 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?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on softness by 31 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $210 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Quartz Control vs Ruby
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Power Pro X 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Evoke Premier Pro
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Black Diamond Power 16
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 Pro XS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Integra Power 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Six Zero Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.