HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 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
- 74Power78
- 84Control93
- 72Spin90
- 86Forgiveness91
- 86Sweet spot92
- 80Stability90
- 82Maneuverability82
- 70Pop72
- 82Touch92
- 84Consistency91
- 66Swing weight68
- 74Twist weight90
- 48Launch angle50
- 70Plow through72
- 82Softness89
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 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 | HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $160 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 7.2 — 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 carbon friction |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
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 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 spin: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 against 72 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, swing weight, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 is $30 cheaper at $160.
Spin
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
Stability
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Touch
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
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 — twist weight 90 vs 74, stability 90 vs 80, sweet spot 92 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
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 — spin 90 vs 72, control 93 vs 84, touch 92 vs 82. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 72, touch 92 vs 82, control 93 vs 84. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
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 82, twist weight 90 vs 74, forgiveness 91 vs 86. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
Take HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 if you prefer a standard face and a 5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Six Zero Quartz Control.
Read the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want spin (+18), twist weight (+16), stability (+10). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for Six Zero Quartz Control. 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 Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control measures 78 on power against 74 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 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 Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 72 for the Textured fiberglass composite face on HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. In practice a 18-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 6.4. 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?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 costs $160, $30 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?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass composite face. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, 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 Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Quartz Control 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 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on spin by 18 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $160 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.
- 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
- 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: HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.