Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control vs Volair Mach 1 Forza 16
Volair's mid-price flagship against the value benchmark everyone measures against. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Double Black Diamond 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 Double Black Diamond Control edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.7 vs 85.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
86 vs 79
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 87
Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
93 vs 88
Forgiveness
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
90 vs 86
Hand speed
113 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$170 at IQ 87.7 vs $170 at IQ 85.3
Overall pick: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control · $170 · IQ 87.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 79Power86
- 93Control88
- 90Spin87
- 90Forgiveness86
- 91Sweet spot87
- 92Stability86
- 70Maneuverability75
- 73Pop82
- 89Touch85
- 91Consistency86
- 78Swing weight76
- 93Twist weight85
- 54Launch angle56
- 82Plow through82
- 84Softness84
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control vs Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control | Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.7 — better | 85.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.6 |
| Shape | widebody | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.2 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer | Thermoformed polymer |
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control verdict
The best stability-to-price ratio in the database. Twist weight is near CRBN levels for sixty dollars less.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 scores 82 against 73 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, swing weight, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $170, so price cannot break the tie.
Pop
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 9 points (82 vs 73).
Twist weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 8 points (93 vs 85).
Power
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 7 points (86 vs 79).
Stability
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
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
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 93 vs 85, forgiveness 90 vs 86, sweet spot 91 vs 87. Twist weight 7 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 (84.5 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Mach 1 Forza 16, widebody on the Double Black Diamond Control.
- Control
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.3 vs 84.1 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Mach 1 Forza 16, widebody on the Double Black Diamond Control.
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 93 vs 85, forgiveness 90 vs 86. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Volair Mach 1 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 if you want pop (+9), power (+7), maneuverability (+5). 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
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control if you want twist weight (+8), stability (+6), control (+5). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control review →Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.7 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16, at 113 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 scores 86 for power against 79 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. 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 at 93 versus 88.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 87 for the Raw carbon face on Volair Mach 1 Forza 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 86). Its 7 twist weight against 6.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $170. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.2 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 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 117) 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?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads on pop by 9 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.
This matchup is a control vs power decision
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Read the full reviews: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control and Volair Mach 1 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.