Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Six Zero Quartz Control, which costs $190.
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
85 vs 78
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
95 vs 90
Control
93 vs 88
Forgiveness
91 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
$175 at IQ 85.6 vs $190 at IQ 88
Overall pick: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · $175 · IQ 85.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power78
- 88Control93
- 95Spin90
- 82Forgiveness91
- 84Sweet spot92
- 83Stability90
- 84Maneuverability82
- 82Pop72
- 86Touch92
- 88Consistency91
- 68Swing weight68
- 82Twist weight90
- 57Launch angle50
- 78Plow through72
- 80Softness89
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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 | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Raw carbon friction |
| 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 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: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 82 against 72 for Six Zero Quartz Control — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, maneuverability, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $15 cheaper at $175.
Pop
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 9 points (91 vs 82).
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 9 points (89 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 8 points (92 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 the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 82, sweet spot 92 vs 84, twist weight 90 vs 82. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 88 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and keep the $15.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Touch
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 — power 85 vs 78, spin 95 vs 90, plow through 78 vs 72. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
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 80, forgiveness 91 vs 82, twist weight 90 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 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 pop (+10), power (+7), launch angle (+7). 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 Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want forgiveness (+9), softness (+9), sweet spot (+8). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). 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 Quartz Control?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 85 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz 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 Quartz 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 carbon friction face on Six Zero Quartz Control. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 82). Its 7.2 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $15 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?
- 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 Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 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. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (110 vs 108) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on pop by 10 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $175 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series One Project Black
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Quartz Control vs Ruby
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Scorpeus Pro IV 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
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 Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.