JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 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
- 86Power86
- 88Control86
- 92Spin90
- 84Forgiveness80
- 86Sweet spot82
- 86Stability86
- 78Maneuverability72
- 82Pop82
- 86Touch82
- 88Consistency84
- 74Swing weight76
- 84Twist weight86
- 54Launch angle54
- 84Plow through86
- 74Softness68
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 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 | JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon friction | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Propulsion core with foam edge | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 verdict
The Mod platform splits the difference between Perseus control and Magnus power. Spin 92 with control 88 is a rare pairing, and the 16.3 in hybrid keeps hand speed usable.
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 maneuverability: JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 scores 78 against 72 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $50 cheaper at $200.
Maneuverability
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Softness
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads by 6 points (74 vs 68).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads by 4 points (86 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
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 80, sweet spot 86 vs 82, consistency 88 vs 84. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 78 vs 72, forgiveness 84 vs 80, touch 86 vs 82. At 114 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 74 vs 68, forgiveness 84 vs 80. Its 16 mm Propulsion core with foam edge core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16
Take JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 if you want maneuverability (+6), softness (+6), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 measures 86 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Propulsion core with foam edge core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 at 88 versus 86. 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?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon friction face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $50 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?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16: 16 mm Propulsion core with foam edge core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon friction 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?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16, 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 JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $250 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.
- Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs R3 Pulsar
- Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Series One Project Black vs Edge 18K V2
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.