First Hits: RPM Q2, 247 Turbo, and sophon
We just got a fresh batch of paddles in this week, and we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of digging into the spec sheets first, we took them straight to the court for some blind gameplay testing. No product descriptions, no upfront numbers—just raw, live impressions on how they actually feel in the hand.
After getting some drop-ins and drills under our belt, we ran the numbers on the scale and the measurements machine. Here is the breakdown of three incredibly interesting new foam-core and power options hitting the market.
1. Warping Point Sophon
The Verdict: A rock-solid, grittier, and UPA-approved alternative to the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro.
The Spec Metrics
Swingweight: 120
Twistweight: 6.45
Price: $149 retail
On-Court Performance & Feel
With a swingweight of 120, the Sophon leans toward the heavier side for an elongated paddle. You won’t have quite as much room for lead tape customization—but the upside is that it offers fantastic plow-through on drives right out of the box without any modifications.
While the manufacturer markets this as an all-court paddle, we classify it strictly as a power paddle (albeit on the mid-to-lower end of the power spectrum). It features a pure carbon fiber face and gives you that distinct, hollow-foam acoustic feedback on contact.
The Big Takeaway: Side-by-side, it feels nearly identical to the V-Sol Pro. The game-changer? The Sophon is UPA approved (unlike the V-Sol Pro's USAP-only status) and brings a noticeably grittier surface texture to the kitchen line. For $149, it's more controllable and wallet-friendly than high-end power paddles like the Selkirk Boomstik.
2. 24Seven Athletics Turbo (14mm)
The Verdict: A lightweight, poppy throwback to Gen 2/Gen 3 performance that leaves room for customization.
The Spec Metrics
Swingweight: 115
Twistweight: 6.25
Price: $130 retail
On-Court Performance & Feel
The Turbo features a unique construction: a 14mm profile utilizing a floating EPP foam core surrounded by a PEBA outer ring. At 115 swingweight, it sits light for a traditional 16mm paddle, but with enough internal perimeter weighting to keep it stable for a 14mm.
Most modern 14mm paddles (like the TruFoams, Volair Shifts, or Speedup Tides) are weighted up to feel solid like a 16mm. The Turbo doesn't do that. It embraces the classic, thin-paddle identity with a springier ball feel: it is fast, incredibly poppy, and built for advanced players.
Hands battles felt incredibly deadly because the ball fire-rockets off the face. The trade-off is a slightly less forgiving sweet spot, which is standard for a 14mm shell.
The Big Takeaway: 24Seven coats this with a proprietary, long-lasting grit texture called EnduraGrit. We haven't done long-term durability testing on the spin retention yet, but at $130, this lighter, faster platform is highly attractive for players who want raw speed or prefer adding their own weighted tape. (Note: Certification status for USAP/UPA is still pending).
3. RPM Q2 Elongated (16mm)
The Verdict: A hard-hitting foam power paddle with its own unique "crisp" play profile.
The Spec Metrics
Swingweight: 118
Twistweight: 6.25
Price: $250
On-Court Performance & Feel
The Q2 has generated a massive amount of community buzz because its foam-core construction mirrors the premium Selkirk Boomstik. In stock form, it sports a slightly higher swingweight but a lower twistweight than the Boomstik, translating to an inherently aggressive, high-powered paddle.
To test a theory, we threw attachable MOI weights onto the perimeter sides of the Q2. While it jacked the swingweight up to a massive 128 (not recommended for actual play), the weight distribution made the feel virtually identical to the Boomstik.
However, in normal stock form, the Q2 has its own distinct personality. The Boomstik features a deeper sound, a more plush contact feel, and more ball-pocketing dwell time. The Q2 is crisper, with less dwell time but massive top-tier pop and spin mechanics.
The Big Takeaway: Don't view the Q2 as a direct 1-to-1 clone or a "cheap Boomstik"—it is a premium, high-performance foam power paddle with a unique, snappier feel. If your goal is strictly to build a budget Boomstik replica with weights, snapping MOIs onto a Ronbus Quanta makes more structural sense. But if you want a standalone, high-tier power option, the Q2 absolutely delivers.
RPM Q2: Code TMP15 https://rpmpb.com/TMP15
24Seven Turbo: Code DMVPBALL
Warping Point Sophon: Code DMVPBALL
