Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Volair Mach 1 Forza 16
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
- 80Power86
- 90Control88
- 88Spin87
- 88Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot87
- 86Stability86
- 78Maneuverability75
- 74Pop82
- 88Touch85
- 88Consistency86
- 72Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight85
- 48Launch angle56
- 78Plow through82
- 80Softness84
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 | Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.4 — better | 85.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.6 |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 verdict
The Forza is the sensible hybrid: nothing extreme, everything solid. It is the paddle to hand someone moving off a big-box starter without overwhelming them.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 scores 82 against 74 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, touch, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($170 vs $170) that it should not break the tie.
Pop
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Launch angle
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 8 points (56 vs 48).
Power
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Swing weight
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 4 points (76 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Double Black Diamond Control V2, hybrid on the Mach 1 Forza 16.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Double Black Diamond Control V2, hybrid on the Mach 1 Forza 16.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.7 vs 84.3 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Double Black Diamond Control V2, hybrid on the Mach 1 Forza 16.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 80, twist weight 85 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 if you prefer a standard face and a 5.25 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Volair Mach 1 Forza 16.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 review →Volair Mach 1 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 if you want pop (+8), launch angle (+8), power (+6). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 review →Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 or the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.4 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Volair Mach 1 Forza 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 or the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 measures 86 on power against 80 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 at 90 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?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 88 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 87 for the Raw carbon face on Volair Mach 1 Forza 16. In practice a 1-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 6.6. 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?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Volair Mach 1 Forza 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 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 Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 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. Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 to the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads on pop by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $170 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.
- 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
- Mach 1 Forza 16 vs Loco 16mm Standard
- Mach 1 Forza 16 vs Nova R1
- Mach 1 Forza 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Mach 1 Forza 16 vs Oni 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and Volair Mach 1 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.