Huano Acacia vs. Cherry MX Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Acacia and Cherry MX Speed Silver offer distinct advantages tailored to different user preferences. The Acacia, a medium-light linear switch, is celebrated for its thoughtful factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, resulting in a smooth and satisfying typing experience ideal for both casual and professional use. In contrast, the Cherry MX Speed Silver is engineered specifically for gamers, featuring full-height design and low spring resistance that allows for instantaneous actuation, ensuring that every keystroke counts in fast-paced gaming scenarios. While the Acacia provides a well-rounded experience suitable for typing and general use, the Speed Silver emphasizes rapid response times for competitive play. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches display distinctive characteristics that influence the overall sound profile and tactile feedback of each switch. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucency, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stiffer material enhances resonance, allowing for a more pronounced auditory experience, especially under RGB lighting conditions. In contrast, the Cherry MX Speed Silver employs a nylon top housing, renowned for its softer texture. As a result, the sound produced is deeper and fuller, providing a more muted auditory response that absorbs sound rather than amplifying it. The contrasting materials used in the top housings of these switches create notably different sound signatures, making the Acacia more suitable for those looking for a vibrant auditory experience, while the MX Speed Silver appeals to users who prefer a softer and more subdued typing sound.
The bottom housings of the Huano Acacia and the Cherry MX Speed Silver tell a similar story, as both switches utilize nylon material for their respective lower housings. This shared characteristic means that both switches can produce a comparable sound profile in terms of depth and fullness when bottoming out. The nylon's softness in both switches contributes to the absorption of sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile that further emphasizes the tactile feedback during key presses. Therefore, users can expect a consistent experience when it comes to the sound and feel of the bottom-out action, which underscores the importance of the bottom housing in influencing the overall typing experience for both switch types.
In summary, while the top housing materials of the Huano Acacia and Cherry MX Speed Silver create different auditory results — with the former providing a clearer and sharper sound and the latter creating a fuller, softer sound — the use of nylon in the bottom housings ensures a similar type of feedback and sound profile upon key activation. This division of material characteristics means that the audible qualities are shared, with the bottom housing contributing to the depth of sound, while the top housing defines the brilliance of the release sound. Therefore, users looking for a unique auditory and tactile experience can appreciate the differences and similarities in these switch designs.
Weight
The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch share the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them both light and suitable for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the Acacia switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, indicating a slightly heavier feel when fully pressed down. In contrast, the bottom out force of the MX Speed Silver is unknown, which makes it difficult to directly compare the overall tactile experience upon bottoming out. As it stands, while both switches provide the same actuation feel, the Huano Acacia ultimately offers a more substantial experience when fully depressed, making it the heavier option overall. Depending on individual preferences for typing dynamics, users might gravitate toward the Acacia for a more pronounced keystroke depth or remain curious about the untapped potential of the Cherry MX Speed Silver's bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, we find that the Acacia features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Speed Silver has a slightly shorter distance of 3.4 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch with a longer travel distance that provides a more traditional feel, the Huano Acacia would be the better choice. Conversely, the Cherry MX Speed Silver, with its shorter travel distance, is ideal for gamers seeking quicker response times, as it allows for faster actuation. Both switches cater to different preferences: if you enjoy a more responsive keypress, you may gravitate towards the Speed Silver, while those who favor a deeper keystroke may prefer the Acacia. Overall, users can expect distinct tactile experiences due to the varying travel distances, with the Acacia being the longer option and the Speed Silver being the shorter one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Speed Silver has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Speed Silver for $4.00.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch is known to provide a pleasant auditory experience, although specific descriptors for its sound profile are not available. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Speed Silver switch boasts a thocky resonance, characterized by a deep, rich sound reminiscent of a soft “thud” or “knock” when a key is pressed and released. This low-pitched sound adds a satisfying layer to the typing experience, making it appealing for both gamers and typists who appreciate an audible confirmation of their keystrokes. It’s important to keep in mind that the sound signature of each switch can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard construction and keycap materials.
When considering the feel of these switches, the Huano Acacia is well-regarded for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable typing experience right from the start. While the tactile characteristics of the Acacia are not explicitly detailed, the Cherry MX Speed Silver is defined by its textured feel, which can include noticeable friction during use. This textured experience can create either a point of preference or a drawback depending on individual typing styles; some users enjoy the added feedback while others might find it less favorable compared to a more seamless action.
In summary, both the Huano Acacia and Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switches cater to different user preferences, offering unique auditory and tactile experiences. The Acacia excels with its smooth feel and unquantified sound quality that complements its typing experience, while the MX Speed Silver stands out with its distinct thocky sound and textured action, appealing largely to gamers seeking rapid response time. Depending on personal preferences regarding sound and feel, users can expect to find that each switch offers a quality experience tailored to their typing or gaming needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver should be guided by your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a balanced typing experience that caters well to both gaming and general typing, the Acacia is an excellent choice with its medium-light bottom-out force, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble. This results in a comfortable feel straight out of the box, ideal for long typing sessions or a mix of tasks. The sound profile is equally appealing, providing a satisfying typing experience without being overly noisy. On the other hand, if you are a competitive gamer seeking the absolute fastest response times, the Cherry MX Speed Silver is designed specifically for that purpose. It offers a linear action with low spring resistance that activates instantly, ensuring that your keystrokes register without delay. The textured feel may take some getting used to, but many gamers appreciate this for its tactile feedback, while the thocky, low-pitched sound can be pleasing during intense gameplay. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you prioritize a versatile and comfortable typing experience or the ultimate speed and responsiveness for competitive gaming.
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