Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Six Zero Quartz Control, which costs $190.
Power
85 vs 78
Spin
90 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$190 at IQ 88 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power78
- 90Control93
- 84Spin90
- 88Forgiveness91
- 89Sweet spot92
- 85Stability90
- 84Maneuverability82
- 84Pop72
- 88Touch92
- 89Consistency91
- 66Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight90
- 54Launch angle50
- 74Plow through72
- 86Softness89
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Thermoformed polymer |
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
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 pop: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 72 for Six Zero Quartz Control — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 7 points (85 vs 78).
Spin
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
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 a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 84, stability 90 vs 85, forgiveness 91 vs 88. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 88 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Bantam ALW-C 14, 7.9 oz on the Quartz Control.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Bantam ALW-C 14, 7.9 oz on the Quartz Control.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — softness 89 vs 86, twist weight 90 vs 84, forgiveness 91 vs 88. 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?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want pop (+12), power (+7), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want spin (+6), twist weight (+6), stability (+5). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, 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 Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 90. 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 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 6-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 88). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.25 in handle.
- 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. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 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 Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on pop by 12 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $200 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Six Zero Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.