Proton Series Two Project Flash 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
- 84Power78
- 88Control93
- 92Spin90
- 84Forgiveness91
- 86Sweet spot92
- 84Stability90
- 80Maneuverability82
- 80Pop72
- 86Touch92
- 88Consistency91
- 70Swing weight68
- 80Twist weight90
- 50Launch angle50
- 80Plow through72
- 80Softness89
Proton Series Two Project Flash 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 Two Project Flash | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Gritted raw carbon | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
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 twist weight: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 against 80 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, spin, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 9 points (89 vs 80).
Pop
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Plow through
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
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 84, twist weight 90 vs 80, sweet spot 92 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 84, control 93 vs 88, touch 92 vs 86. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Series Two Project Flash, standard on the Quartz Control.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
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 84, twist weight 90 vs 80. 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 Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want pop (+8), plow through (+8), power (+6). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want twist weight (+10), softness (+9), forgiveness (+7). 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 Two Project Flash vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash measures 84 on power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 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 Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 90 for the Raw carbon friction face on Six Zero Quartz Control. In practice a 2-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 6.7. 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 Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw 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?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 5.4 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 Two Project Flash 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 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on twist weight by 10 points; everything else is within 9 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 Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
- 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
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Two Project Flash and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.