SP-Star Ayara vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch to the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, there are some distinct differences to consider. The Ayara is renowned for its medium heftiness, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a more robust typing experience. With a soft bottom-out feel and a satisfyingly clacky sound profile, the Ayara is ideal for typists looking for tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean switch offers a quieter typing experience with no specific standout features. While the Ayara falls under the categories of 'Neutral', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the Silent Ocean remains uncategorized. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision on which switch would best suit your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Silent Ocean differ in terms of their top housing materials. The Ayara features a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and ability to absorb more sound. In contrast, the Silent Ocean incorporates a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with clear housings designed for RGB lighting.
On the other hand, both the Ayara and the Silent Ocean utilize nylon for their bottom housing material. Nylon is praised for its ability to create a deep and full sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound that is consistent across both switches. While the bottom housing material may not differ between the two switches, it still plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switch when pressed.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches can have a significant impact on the typing experience. The Ayara's combination of nylon top and bottom housings results in a consistent deep and full sound profile, while the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and clearer sound. Despite their differences, both switches ultimately aim to enhance the user's typing experience through the unique properties of their housing materials. Whether using nylon or polycarbonate, the housing materials play a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of the switch during typing.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it is evident that they both fall into the medium to medium-heavy category in terms of bottom out force. However, the Ayara has a unique feature of not having a specific actuation force mentioned, while the Silent Ocean requires a lighter 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. This means that the Silent Ocean may feel lighter and easier to actuate compared to the Ayara. On the other hand, the Ayara requires a heavier 62 grams of force to bottom out, while the Silent Ocean requires a slightly heavier 65 grams. This indicates that the Silent Ocean may provide a slightly more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In conclusion, those who prefer a lighter actuation force may lean towards the Silent Ocean, while those who prefer a heavier bottom out force may opt for the Ayara for similar results in typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Due to their equal travel distance, the sensation of typing on keys with these switches will provide a consistent feel in terms of keypress depth. Whether you choose the Ayara or the Silent Ocean, you can expect similar results 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 Outemu Silent Ocean 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
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch is known for its soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a hearty typing experience. The sound profile of the Ayara can be described as either neutral or high-pitched, depending on the preference for a moderate actuation force requirement or a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch does not have any specific information available regarding its sound profile. When it comes to feel, the Ayara switch is polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, there is no available information about the feel of the Silent Ocean switch.
Overall, if you are looking for a linear switch with a clacky sound profile and a polished feel, the SP-Star Ayara switch would be a great option. While the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean switch are unknown, if you prefer a switch with similar qualities to the Ayara, you may end up with a similar typing experience. As always, factors such as keyboard build and keycaps can also influence the overall sound and feel of the switches, so it's essential to consider these when making your decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a hearty typing experience, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile, it offers a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a more refined typing experience, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique characteristics, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style when choosing between the two.
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