Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Two power-forward paddles in the same price band with very different swing feel. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control, which costs $170.
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
85 vs 79
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
95 vs 90
Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
93 vs 88
Forgiveness
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
90 vs 82
Hand speed
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
110 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$170 at IQ 87.7 vs $175 at IQ 85.6
Overall pick: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · $175 · IQ 85.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power79
- 88Control93
- 95Spin90
- 82Forgiveness90
- 84Sweet spot91
- 83Stability92
- 84Maneuverability70
- 82Pop73
- 86Touch89
- 88Consistency91
- 68Swing weight78
- 82Twist weight93
- 57Launch angle54
- 78Plow through82
- 80Softness84
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 | $170 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 | 87.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.2 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control verdict
The best stability-to-price ratio in the database. Twist weight is near CRBN levels for sixty dollars less.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 84 against 70 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, consistency, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($175 vs $170) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Twist weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 11 points (93 vs 82).
Swing weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Stability
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 9 points (92 vs 83).
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
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 82, twist weight 93 vs 82, sweet spot 91 vs 84. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), widebody on the Double Black Diamond Control.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 70, power 85 vs 79, spin 95 vs 90. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 80, forgiveness 90 vs 82, twist weight 93 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+14), pop (+9), power (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control if you want twist weight (+11), swing weight (+10), stability (+9). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.7 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 85 for power against 79 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. That comes from a 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control at 93 versus 88. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 82). Its 7 twist weight against 6.3 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 $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with an Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.2 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 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $175 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a control vs power decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- Double Black Diamond Control vs CRBN-2X Square
- Double Black Diamond Control vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- Double Black Diamond Control vs OMNI 16
- Double Black Diamond Control vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.