ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and value on Paddle DNA against the ProKennex Black Ace LG, which costs $200.
Power
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
88 vs 74
Spin
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
88 vs 82
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
Too close to call
107 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
$109.99 at IQ 87.4 vs $200 at IQ 83.1
Overall pick: Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm · $109.99 · IQ 87.4
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 74Power88
- 88Control86
- 82Spin88
- 88Forgiveness89
- 86Sweet spot90
- 82Stability89
- 78Maneuverability86
- 70Pop88
- 90Touch85
- 88Consistency87
- 70Swing weight65
- 78Twist weight87
- 48Launch angle59
- 76Plow through81
- 92Softness80
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ProKennex Black Ace LG | Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $109.99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 87.4 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 7.4 — better |
| Shape | elongated | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) |
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm verdict
The 16 × 8-inch Standard/Widebody offers a broader face and lower manufacturer-listed swingweight than the Elongated. Choose its geometry for compact handling and off-center coverage; choose Elongated for extra reach. Estimated Paddle DNA is not a measured power, control or spin result.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 88 against 70 for ProKennex Black Ace LG — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is $90.01 cheaper at $109.99.
Pop
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 18 points (88 vs 70).
Power
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Launch angle
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 11 points (59 vs 48).
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
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 87 vs 78, stability 89 vs 82, sweet spot 90 vs 86. Twist weight 7.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — power 88 vs 74, maneuverability 86 vs 78, spin 88 vs 82. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — power 88 vs 74, spin 88 vs 82, maneuverability 86 vs 78. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — softness 92 vs 80. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+12), touch (+5), swing weight (+5). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
Take Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm if you want pop (+18), power (+14), launch angle (+11). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm review →Where to Buy
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.4 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 88 for power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG 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?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 88 for spin off its QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). Its 7.4 twist weight against 6.4 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm costs $109.99, $90.01 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm: 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core with a QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. ProKennex Black Ace LG rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads on pop by 18 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $200 vs $109.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs J2CR
- Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
- Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs Loco 16mm Standard
- Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs Tenon
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put ProKennex Black Ace LG and Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: ProKennex Black Ace LG and Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.