Bsun Akashi vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Akashi linear switch with the Outemu Brown tactile switch, it's important to consider the unique qualities of each. The Akashi stands out with its smooth UPE stem, POM top, and nylon bottom housing combination, providing a distinctive sound profile with a bright bottom-out and deep acoustic richness. Known for being 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Snappy', and 'Easy-to-press', the Akashi offers a novel and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown switch is recognized for its tactile feedback without a specific standout feature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage extended spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Brown switches offer distinct differences in sound profiles and aesthetics. The Akashi's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound, while the Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Brown switch also allows for RGB lighting, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy customizable lighting effects. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, which adds to the fuller sound profile but absorbs sound differently due to the differing stiffness of the plastics used.
While both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, the differences in their top housings play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the keys. The split qualities between the top and bottom housing materials impact the sound of both the bottom-out and release of a key press. The Akashi's softer nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, while the Brown's polycarbonate top housing leads to a clearer and resonant sound profile. This showcases how the choice of housing material can greatly influence the overall typing experience and sound feedback of a keyboard switch.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Brown housing materials comes down to personal preference in sound and aesthetics. The POM top housing of the Akashi offers a unique and pleasing sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Brown provides a crisper and higher-pitched sound. Both switches benefit from the use of nylon in the bottom housing for a fuller sound profile, but the differences in the top housings create distinct typing experiences. Whether you prefer a deeper, more muted sound or a sharper, clearer sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch have distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Akashi is lighter, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, providing a smooth and easy typing experience. On the other hand, the Brown is heavier, with an actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, offering a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Akashi, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for the Brown. Despite these differences, both switches provide reliable performance, with the Akashi delivering a more effortless typing experience and the Brown offering a more robust typing feel.
Travel distance
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Brown switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Akashi switch. The 3.7 mm travel distance of the Akashi switch falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the 4 mm travel distance of the Brown switch provides a bit more depth and may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Akashi has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Akashi for $3.70.
The Outemu Brown comes in at $3.10 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 Bsun Akashi linear switch offers a unique and resonant experience with a bright and crisp bottom-out sound due to its UPE stem and hybrid housing design. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Outemu Brown tactile switch is not provided, so it is difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, both switches can be affected by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycap material, so you may still achieve similar results in terms of sound depending on your setup.
When it comes to feel, the Akashi switch is described as offering a creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press typing experience. This indicates that the Akashi switch provides a smooth and effortless typing feel with a responsive and low-impact key press. On the contrary, there is no specific information provided regarding the feel of the Outemu Brown tactile switch. Without this data, it is challenging to directly compare the two switches in terms of typing feel. However, if the Akashi switch is known for its smooth and buttery feel, it is likely that the Outemu Brown tactile switch may provide a tactile and responsive typing experience.
In conclusion, the Bsun Akashi linear switch stands out for its unique sound profile and smooth typing feel, offering a resonant experience with each keystroke. While information about the Outemu Brown tactile switch is lacking in both sound and feel descriptions, the characteristics of the Akashi switch suggest that it provides a premium typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on your personal preference for sound and feel, as well as factors like board construction and keycap choice which can also influence the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing feel and bottom out force. If you prefer a light and smooth typing experience with a unique sound profile, the Akashi switch would be a great choice with its creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy keypress and a tactile feedback with a more traditional typing sound, the Brown switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing style and preferences for the typing experience you desire.
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