Proton Series One Project Black vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Quartz Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 86Power78
- 86Control93
- 90Spin90
- 80Forgiveness91
- 82Sweet spot92
- 86Stability90
- 72Maneuverability82
- 82Pop72
- 82Touch92
- 84Consistency91
- 76Swing weight68
- 86Twist weight90
- 54Launch angle50
- 86Plow through72
- 68Softness89
Proton Series One Project Black vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series One Project Black | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.8 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 89 against 68 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 21-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 21 points (89 vs 68).
Plow through
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 11 points (91 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points (92 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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 80, sweet spot 92 vs 82, consistency 91 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — maneuverability 82 vs 72, forgiveness 91 vs 80, touch 92 vs 82. At 108 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 (84.4 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series One Project Black, standard on the Quartz Control.
- Plow through
- Power
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 68, forgiveness 91 vs 80, twist weight 90 vs 86. 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 One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want plow through (+14), pop (+10), power (+8). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+21), forgiveness (+11), sweet spot (+10). 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 One Project Black vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 21 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 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 Proton Series One Project Black or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Proton Series One Project Black measures 86 on power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 90 for the Raw carbon friction face on Six Zero Quartz Control. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with 7.2 twist weight against 7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher forgiveness score (91) as a result.
- 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber 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 One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- 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 One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on softness by 21 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $200 vs $190, 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.
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Magnus 3S 16
- Quartz Control vs Double Black Diamond Control
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series One Project Black and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.