The Marvel pearl and the Gravity Shift both have the R2X pearl cover with the same oob surface prep.
The Virtual Gravity, the Marvel, and the Dimension all have the solid R2X cover with different oob surface preps.
The Virtual Energy, and the Modern Marvel both have the R2X hybrid cover with different oob surface preps.
The 2nd Dimension and the Prodigy both have the R2X pearl with E.T.M. with different oob surface preps. The difference between the two, is the 2nd Dimension had bigger E.T.M. flecks than what the Prodigy has, so essentially, it is a bit different.
As far as comparing Master line symmetrical cores, the 16lb balls share similar core numbers in the Agents(2.47/.055), Dimensions(2.49/.049), and Marvel lines(2.48/.052), the past three generations of releases in the Master line. The reason for bringing up the Agents is because the core shape is very similar to the now current core shape of the Marvels/ Prodigy.
However, in 15lbs, the RG was raised from the 2.47 in the Agents, and 2.48 in the Marvels, to a 2.51 in the Dimensions. The Dimensions also had the least diff. compared to the three. This greatly changed how the Dimension balls read the lane.
For many bowlers, myself included, CobaltBomb and as well as a current National touring Storm Staffer has attested to, the Prodigy cover reads the heads much more than any of the other balls in the Marvel line with surface. Polishing the Prodigy allows it to be cleaner, and yet smoother down lane than the rest of the Marvel balls(I have not yet polished a Modern Marvel though). It is just the nature of the E.T.M. additive.Using the Modern Marvel and the Prodigy at the same surface prep, the Modern Marvel is much cleaner to the spot than the Prodigy, and comes off the spot more angular.
The cover stock and its surface prep has the greatest influence on how a bowling ball will read oil and how fast it will start slowing down. The core shape influences how that ball will then go through the pins. The two combine to yield overall shape properties of the bowling ball.
(oob= out of box)
Tommy Gollick
Storm Regional/Pro Shop staff
Red Crown Pro Shop Harrisburg, PA
stormbowling.com