Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Quartz Control 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
- 92Power78
- 78Control93
- 82Spin90
- 70Forgiveness91
- 72Sweet spot92
- 78Stability90
- 76Maneuverability82
- 90Pop72
- 72Touch92
- 76Consistency91
- 74Swing weight68
- 68Twist weight90
- 60Launch angle50
- 88Plow through72
- 54Softness89
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 77.6 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 3.5 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon fiber | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) | Thermoformed polymer |
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power verdict
Nothing else feels like a Gearbox. The solid-span core has no honeycomb at all, so energy return is immediate and the paddle rewards a clean, compact swing.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 89 against 54 for Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power — a 35-point gap. Six Zero Quartz Control is $60 cheaper at $190.
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 35 points (89 vs 54).
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 21 points (91 vs 70).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 20 points (92 vs 72).
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 70, sweet spot 92 vs 72, twist weight 90 vs 68. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
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 — forgiveness 91 vs 70, control 93 vs 78, touch 92 vs 72. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Touch
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 72, control 93 vs 78, spin 90 vs 82. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- 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 54, forgiveness 91 vs 70, twist weight 90 vs 68. 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 CX14H Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power if you want pop (+18), plow through (+16), power (+14). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+35), twist weight (+22), forgiveness (+21). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 77.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 35 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power measures 92 on power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 78. 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 fiber face on Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. In practice a 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with 7.2 twist weight against 5.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher forgiveness score (91) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Quartz Control costs $190, $60 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 CX14H Ultimate Power: 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core with a Solid-span carbon fiber 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 CX14H Ultimate Power, at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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 CX14H Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on softness by 35 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $250 vs $190, 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.
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Power Pro X 14
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Vanguard Power Air
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Magnus 3S 16
- Quartz Control vs Double Black Diamond Control
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14H 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.