Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 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
Six Zero Quartz Control wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, which costs $280.
Power
90 vs 78
Spin
90 vs 86
Control
93 vs 84
Forgiveness
91 vs 86
Hand speed
108 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$190 at IQ 88 vs $280 at IQ 85.2
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power78
- 84Control93
- 86Spin90
- 86Forgiveness91
- 88Sweet spot92
- 90Stability90
- 72Maneuverability82
- 86Pop72
- 78Touch92
- 84Consistency91
- 80Swing weight68
- 88Twist weight90
- 58Launch angle50
- 90Plow through72
- 70Softness89
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 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 | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.2 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 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) | 7.4 | 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 | Foam-injected polymer | Thermoformed polymer |
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
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 softness: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 89 against 70 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 — a 19-point gap. They are effectively level on twist weight, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Quartz Control is $90 cheaper at $190.
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 19 points (89 vs 70).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Pop
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
Touch
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 14 points (92 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 Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 86, consistency 91 vs 84, sweet spot 92 vs 88. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Sweet spot
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 — touch 92 vs 78, maneuverability 82 vs 72, control 93 vs 84. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Quartz Control and keep the $90.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Control
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 70, forgiveness 91 vs 86, twist weight 90 vs 88. 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?
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want plow through (+18), pop (+14), power (+12). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+19), touch (+14), maneuverability (+10). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 85.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 19 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 90 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 84. 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 4-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 86). Its 7.2 twist weight against 7 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Quartz Control costs $190, $90 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?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer 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?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, 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 Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 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. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on softness by 19 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $280 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.
- Quartz Control vs Ruby
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Labs Project 006
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- 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.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Six Zero Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.