Bsun Akashi vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Silent Yellow mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear switches known for their smooth keystrokes. The Akashi stands out with its unique design featuring a UPE stem for smoothness, a POM top, and a nylon bottom housing that provides a distinct sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow is known for its silent operation, making it ideal for environments where noise is a concern. While the Akashi offers a tactile experience with a bright bottom-out sound, the Silent Yellow provides a quiet typing experience. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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 Silent Yellow switches offer unique characteristics that result in different sound profiles. The Akashi's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound, while the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Yellow is translucent, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of both switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, the nylon bottom housing of both the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches contribute to a similar sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for a duller and rounder sound, creating a deeper and fuller typing experience. This commonality in housing material showcases the importance of the bottom housing in influencing the overall sound and feel of the switch. Whether it be the Akashi's POM top housing or the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing, the nylon bottom housing plays a significant role in shaping the sound profile of the switches.
In summary, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches such as the Bsun Akashi and the Outemu Silent Yellow greatly impacts the typing experience. While the top housing material determines the pitch and crispness of the sound, the bottom housing material influences the depth and fullness of the sound profile. The differences between POM and polycarbonate top housings highlight the varying tones each material produces, while the common use of nylon in the bottom housing results in a consistent deep and rich sound across both switches. Ultimately, understanding the properties of each housing material is essential in selecting a switch that meets your preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, the main difference lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Akashi has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, while the Silent Yellow is heavier with an actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams. The lighter actuation force of the Akashi makes it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, while the heavier Silent Yellow switch provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches will provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, given that they both provide a consistent typing experience with varying levels of force required for key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Akashi linear switch is 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Akashi offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow, which may appeal to those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow provides a bit more depth to the key press, which some users may prefer for a more substantial feel. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those seeking a more compact and efficient typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
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 Silent Yellow 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 is known for its clacky sound, which provides a sharp and snappy auditory feedback with each key press. This distinctive feature adds a crisp and bright tone to the typing experience, creating a percussive sound that stands out among other switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch lacks a specific sound description, so it is unclear how it compares in terms of sound to the Akashi. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Akashi switch is highly praised for its creamy typing experience. This smooth and buttery sensation is achieved through a combination of materials and lubrication, offering a glide-like feeling as fingers effortlessly press down on the keys. Additionally, the switch is described as frictionless and polished, providing users with an overall sleek and refined typing experience. In contrast, there is no specific information available regarding the tactile feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow switch, making it difficult to directly compare its tactile qualities with those of the Akashi.
Overall, the Bsun Akashi linear switch stands out for its unique combination of clacky sound and creamy feel, providing a resonant and smooth typing experience that appeals to users seeking a tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch lacks detailed descriptions of its sound and feel, making it challenging to fully assess its subjective qualities compared to the Akashi. If looking for a similar experience to the Akashi, opting for switches with a creamy and polished feel, as well as a clacky sound profile, may result in a comparable typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, you should consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a light and smooth keystroke with a unique sound profile, the Akashi may be the better choice for you. With its creamy, polished, and silky feel, as well as a clacky sound, the Akashi offers a novel and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and are looking for a silent typing experience, the Silent Yellow might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style to ensure you have a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
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