Selkirk OMNI 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk OMNI 16 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
- 89Power78
- 92Control93
- 88Spin90
- 90Forgiveness91
- 91Sweet spot92
- 90Stability90
- 74Maneuverability82
- 84Pop72
- 90Touch92
- 91Consistency91
- 76Swing weight68
- 89Twist weight90
- 54Launch angle50
- 85Plow through72
- 86Softness89
Specs
| $280 | Price | $190 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.1 oz | Weight | 7.9 oz |
| 115 | Swing weight | 108 |
| 6.9 | Twist weight | 7.2 |
| hybrid | Shape | standard |
| Raw carbon | Surface | Raw carbon friction |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
Selkirk OMNI 16 verdict
Selkirk's answer to the foam era, and the most balanced paddle they have built. The OMNI refuses to specialize: power and control both sit in the top decile, which is rare and expensive.
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 plow through: Selkirk OMNI 16 scores 85 against 72 for Six Zero Quartz Control — a 13-point gap. They are effectively level on softness, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Quartz Control is $90 cheaper at $190.
Plow through
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 13 points (85 vs 72).
Pop
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Power
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 11 points (89 vs 78).
Maneuverability
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk OMNI 16
Take Selkirk OMNI 16 if you want plow through (+13), pop (+12), power (+11). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk OMNI 16 review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want maneuverability (+8). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Selkirk OMNI 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk OMNI 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 88), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 13 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 115 for Selkirk OMNI 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk OMNI 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 measures 89 on power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Full EVA foam core core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 92. 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 88 for the Raw carbon face on Selkirk OMNI 16. 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 6.9. 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?
- 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 OMNI 16: 16 mm Full EVA foam core core with a 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?
- Selkirk OMNI 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 OMNI 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 OMNI 16 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 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Quartz Control to the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk OMNI 16 leads on plow through by 13 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $280 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.
- Quartz Control vs Magnus 3S 16
- Quartz Control vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Quartz Control vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Quartz Control vs Bantam ALW-C 14
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk OMNI 16 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.