Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 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
- 78Power80
- 92Control90
- 88Spin88
- 84Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot88
- 80Stability86
- 84Maneuverability78
- 70Pop74
- 90Touch88
- 86Consistency88
- 62Swing weight72
- 74Twist weight82
- 46Launch angle48
- 72Plow through78
- 84Softness80
Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Ronbus R1 Pulsar | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.5 | 85.4 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 104 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
Ronbus R1 Pulsar verdict
The value benchmark for an elongated control paddle. It gives up thermoformed power, but the swing weight is low enough that fast hands stay fast into the third game.
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 verdict
The V2 keeps the original DBD's forgiveness and adds face texture. Control 90 with sweet spot 88 in a standard shape is the safest upgrade path in the database.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 72 against 62 for Ronbus R1 Pulsar — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R1 Pulsar is $50 cheaper at $120.
Swing weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 10 points (72 vs 62).
Twist weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Stability
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
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 V2
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 74, forgiveness 88 vs 84, sweet spot 88 vs 84. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar and keep the $50.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.2 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar if you want maneuverability (+6), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R1 Pulsar review →Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 if you want swing weight (+10), twist weight (+8), stability (+6). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 review →Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the Ronbus R1 Pulsar or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.4 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar, at 104 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Ronbus R1 Pulsar or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 measures 80 on power against 78 for Ronbus R1 Pulsar. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 92 versus 90. 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?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar scores 88 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 88 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.1. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar costs $120, $50 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?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar, 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 Ronbus R1 Pulsar avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus R1 Pulsar to the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads on swing weight by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $120 vs $170, 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.
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- R1 Pulsar vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- R1 Pulsar vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Radius CGS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Model E Max V3
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Sapphire 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Ronbus R1 Pulsar and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.