Six Zero Quartz Control vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
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 control, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, which costs $200.
Power
88 vs 78
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Control
93 vs 84
Forgiveness
91 vs 84
Hand speed
108 vs 115 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$190 at IQ 88 vs $200 at IQ 84.6
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 78Power88
- 93Control84
- 90Spin88
- 91Forgiveness84
- 92Sweet spot86
- 90Stability88
- 82Maneuverability76
- 72Pop84
- 92Touch80
- 91Consistency84
- 68Swing weight76
- 90Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle56
- 72Plow through88
- 89Softness70
Six Zero Quartz Control vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Six Zero Quartz Control | Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88 — better | 84.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.9 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer | Foam-injected thermoformed polymer |
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.
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 verdict
Volair's second-gen Forza adds foam walls without adding swing weight past 115. Power 88 and stability 88 make it a genuine tournament option.
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 Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 — a 19-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($190 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 19 points (89 vs 70).
Plow through
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 16 points (88 vs 72).
Pop
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Touch
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
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 the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 84, sweet spot 92 vs 86, consistency 91 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — control 93 vs 84, touch 92 vs 80, maneuverability 82 vs 76. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 84.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Quartz Control, elongated on the Mach 2 Forza 16.
- Plow through
- Power
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 84, twist weight 90 vs 84. 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?
Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+19), touch (+12), control (+9). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 if you want plow through (+16), pop (+12), power (+10). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 review →Six Zero Quartz Control vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Quartz Control or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 84.6), 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 115 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Six Zero Quartz Control or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 88 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer 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 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 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Volair Mach 2 Forza 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 the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 84). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16: 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Volair Mach 2 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 2 Forza 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. Volair Mach 2 Forza 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 8.3 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 Volair Mach 2 Forza 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 16 points. At $190 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Six Zero Quartz Control and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.