SP-Star Ayara vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The SP-Star Ayara and Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for those seeking a different typing sensation. The Ayara switch is best known for its medium heftiness, providing a hearty typing experience. With a soft bottom-out feel and a perfectly clacky sound profile, the Ayara switch caters to those who enjoy a satisfyingly tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) stands out with its sharp tactile feel. Featuring a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, these switches provide a rare and premium typing experience. What sets the Moyu Blacks apart is their strong downstroke tactile bump and even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. Furthermore, the Moyu Blacks offer a distinctive and impactful typing experience with their medium-heavy feel and abrupt and accentuated bottom-out. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the most suitable switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) differ significantly. The Ayara features a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) boasts a PBT top and bottom housing. Nylon is known for its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and creating a duller, rounder sound profile. On the other hand, PBT is relatively unseen in switch housing, offering a neutral sound profile that is not particularly crisp yet not dull either.
When it comes to the sound produced by the switches, the Ayara's nylon housing materials contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of the nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a more rounded and muted sound. In contrast, the PBT housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a neutral sound profile that is neither particularly sharp nor lacking in clarity. The PBT material ensures a more balanced sound when typing on this switch.
While the top and bottom housings of the switches differ, they play a crucial role in the overall typing experience. The qualities brought by each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound produced when you release a key. Therefore, depending on the switch, the qualities of the nylon or PBT materials will be evident in the respective housing components, adding depth and uniqueness to the typing experience.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) greatly influence the sound profile of the switches. The Ayara's nylon housing produces a duller and rounder sound, thanks to its softer plastic composition, while the PBT housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) delivers a more neutral sound profile. Despite their differences, both materials contribute to a deeper and fuller sound experience. The division of qualities between the top and bottom housings further enhances the typing experience, as each component adds its unique contribution to the sound produced.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Ayara switch has an unavailable actuation force, making it difficult to directly compare to the Moyu Black. However, the Ayara has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is classified as medium. On the other hand, the Moyu Black has an actuation force of 50 grams, indicating a lighter touch required to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Moyu Black is slightly heavier at 67 grams, making it medium-heavy.
The weight of a switch is crucial to consider as it directly affects typing performance. Those who prefer a lighter actuation force may find the Moyu Black to be more suitable, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing. This lighter touch is particularly beneficial for individuals who use their keyboards for extended periods at work or during gaming sessions. On the contrary, some users prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. These individuals may opt for the Ayara switch, which offers a more robust actuation force. However, as the actuation force of the Ayara is unavailable, it is difficult to determine the extent of this difference. Regardless, both switches provide a medium to medium-heavy bottom out force, ensuring a satisfying and stable keystroke for users. Thus, while the Ayara and Moyu Black differ in actuation force, their similar bottom out forces offer comparable results and a reliable typing experience.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel a similar distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent and comfortable typing experience with their equal travel distances. So, whether you choose the Ayara or the Moyu Black (Dark Jade), you can expect to achieve similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels.
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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
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 Ayara switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that it produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, but not overly rich or bassy. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch has a resonant sound profile, which is higher-pitched and provides an immersive auditory experience. The sound profile of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is clean and sharp. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ayara switch provides a polished typing experience. This means that it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is described as accented and sharp tactile. This means that it offers a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming, providing a prominent amount of feedback with each keypress. The tactile bump of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is strong, crisp, and can be felt distinctly.
Overall, the Ayara switch offers a hearty typing experience with its soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile. It is recommended for those who prefer a medium heftness in their switches. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch provides a rare and premium typing experience with its unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing. It has a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. With its medium-heavy feel and abrupt bottom-out, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch offers a distinctive and impactful typing experience.
If you are looking for a similar sound profile to the Ayara switch, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch can provide a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound during typing. Similarly, if you are seeking a smooth and refined feel like the Ayara switch, the polished typing experience of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch can offer reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is the way to go. The medium bottom out force of 62 grams provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharp and strong tactile feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is the better choice. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, it offers a distinctive and impactful typing experience. The Moyu Black also features an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. In terms of sound, the Ayara has a neutral sound profile, while the Moyu Black produces a clean and sharp resonant sound. When it comes to feel, the Ayara provides a polished and refined typing experience with reduced friction, while the Moyu Black offers an accented and sharp tactile feedback. Overall, the choice between these two switches ultimately depends on whether you prefer a linear or tactile switch and the specific typing experience you're seeking.
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