HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power80
- 84Control90
- 72Spin88
- 86Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot88
- 80Stability86
- 82Maneuverability78
- 70Pop74
- 82Touch88
- 84Consistency88
- 66Swing weight72
- 74Twist weight82
- 48Launch angle48
- 70Plow through78
- 82Softness80
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $160 — better | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 85.4 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass composite | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 verdict
A conservative, durable standard-shape paddle. Spin 72 is well behind raw carbon, but forgiveness 86 and a 105 swing weight make it one of the easier paddles here to play well immediately.
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 verdict
The V2 keeps the original DBD's forgiveness and adds face texture. Control 90 with sweet spot 88 in a standard shape is the safest upgrade path in the database.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 88 against 72 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($160 vs $170) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 16 points (88 vs 72).
Twist weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Plow through
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 8 points (78 vs 70).
Power
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
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 Double Black Diamond Control V2
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 74, stability 86 vs 80, consistency 88 vs 84. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 88 vs 72, control 90 vs 84, power 80 vs 74. At 111 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 88 vs 72, plow through 78 vs 70, power 80 vs 74. Swing weight 111 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Radical Tour Ultra 16, standard on the Double Black Diamond Control V2.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
Take HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 review →Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 if you want spin (+16), twist weight (+8), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 review →HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.4 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 measures 80 on power against 74 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 at 90 versus 84. 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 Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 88 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 72 for the Textured fiberglass composite face on HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. In practice a 16-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) 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?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass composite face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, at 5.25 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?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 at 7.8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 to the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads on spin by 16 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $160 vs $170, 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.
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Obsidian 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Signature Carbon STR
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Radius CGS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Model E Max V3
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Sapphire 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.