SP-Star Ayara vs. Aflion Iceberg
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Aflion Iceberg switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The SP-Star Ayara and the Aflion Iceberg are both exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, but with their own unique characteristics. The Ayara is renowned for its medium heftiness, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more robust typing experience. Furthermore, it offers a soft bottom-out feel and a delightful clacky sound profile, adding to the overall satisfying typing experience. In comparison, the Iceberg from Aflion is a relatively new switch manufacturer, yet it showcases the quality they are capable of producing. With its smoothness and the inclusion of a two-stage spring, the Iceberg switch provides a fulfilling tactile sensation. Additionally, it offers a range of characteristics such as a clacky sound, high-pitched tones, snappy response, feathery actuation, and subtle feedback. However, let's delve deeper into the intricacies of each switch to help you make the most informed decision based on your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Aflion Iceberg, specifically their top housings, differ significantly. The Ayara utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Iceberg features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is stiffer in comparison, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Iceberg is particularly advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual effect of the lighting.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, both the Ayara and the Iceberg utilize nylon as their material of choice. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of a switch provides a similar effect for both keyboards. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. With this similarity, the bottom housing of both the Ayara and the Iceberg contributes to creating a duller and rounder sound when typing.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the SP-Star Ayara and the Aflion Iceberg significantly impacts the sound profiles of the keyboards. While their top housings differ, with the Ayara's nylon creating a deeper sound and the Iceberg's polycarbonate producing a clearer sound, their bottom housings share the same nylon material, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile. As a result, the two keyboards provide distinct auditory experiences due to variations in their housing materials, showcasing the importance of material choice in keyboard design.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch, their actuation and bottom out forces exhibit significant differences. The Ayara switch has an actuation force of an unknown weight and a bottom out force of 62 grams, which can be considered medium. On the other hand, the Iceberg switch has an actuation force of 37 grams, indicating a lighter touch, and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is still relatively light. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience that allows for prolonged usage, the Iceberg switch would be the ideal choice since its actuation and bottom out forces are lower. However, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the Ayara switch. In terms of weight, it can be inferred that the Ayara switch is relatively heavier than the Iceberg switch due to its higher bottom out force. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the SP-Star Ayara and Aflion Iceberg switches offer distinct options for individuals seeking different typist experiences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will feel the key travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, regardless of whether you choose the Ayara or the Iceberg switch, you can expect a similar tactile experience and feedback in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Aflion Iceberg has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Iceberg for $3.07.
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
When it comes to sound, the SP-Star Ayara switch is known for its neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate and versatile sound suitable for various purposes. However, if you prefer a sharper and more crisp sound, the Aflion Iceberg switch would be a better choice as it is described as clacky and high-pitched. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ayara switch is described as polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Iceberg switch is characterized as snappy, thanks to its longer or dual-stage springs, providing a super responsive typing experience. It is also described as feathery, meaning it requires little exertion and is exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue. Additionally, the Iceberg switch is considered subtle, offering a gentle resistance that is not feather-light but still maintains a light typing feel.
Overall, the SP-Star Ayara and Aflion Iceberg switches offer different subjective qualities. The Ayara switch provides a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile. This switch is suitable for those who prefer a medium heftness and a neutral sound. On the other hand, the Iceberg switch offers a satisfying smoothness, a fulfilling feel due to its two-stage spring, and a sharp and crisp clacky sound when pressed. Depending on your preferences, both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a hearty typing experience with a moderate bottom out force, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is the better choice for you. These switches provide a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile, making them suitable for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smoother and more responsive feel with a lighter bottom out force, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch is the way to go. With its two-stage spring design, the Iceberg switch offers a satisfying smoothness and a snappy typing feel. Additionally, both switches have a high-pitched sound profile, but the Ayara is also neutral in sound, while the Iceberg is known for its clacky sound. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preferences for typing experience and feel.
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