SP-Star Ayara vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Silent White mechanical keyboard switches, there are some key differences to consider. The Ayara is renowned for its medium heftiness, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. These linear switches offer a soft bottom-out feel and a satisfying clacky sound profile, perfect for typists who prefer a tactile response. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White switches offer a silent typing experience with no specific standout feature. While the Ayara is categorized as 'Neutral', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the Silent White switches do not have any specific categorization. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Silent White, one key difference is in their top housings. The Ayara's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic absorbing more sound and creating a duller, rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent White's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. While the Ayara's nylon top housing focuses on a deeper sound, the Silent White's polycarbonate top housing is better suited for those looking for a more precise and distinct typing experience, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Ayara and Silent White utilize nylon, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in bottom housing material means that both switches will offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound depth and profile. Whether it is the Ayara's nylon bottom housing or the Silent White's nylon bottom housing, users can expect a consistent and familiar typing sound that is characteristic of nylon housing material.
Overall, the choice between the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Silent White ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. While the Ayara offers a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top and bottom housings, the Silent White provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences, whether it be a preference for a softer, more rounded sound or a clear, resonant typing experience. In the end, users can choose the switch that best aligns with their desired sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Ayara has an actuation force of None grams, while the Silent White has an actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force of 60 grams, making them relatively similar in that aspect. The Ayara is lighter in terms of actuation force, which may be preferred by those looking for a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the Silent White provides a slightly heavier actuation force, which may be appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is 4.0 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Silent White switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Ayara switch. A shorter travel distance is often preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying key press for some users. Both switches offer a different feel when typing or gaming, with the Ayara providing a slightly deeper press compared to the Silent White. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and what type of typing experience you prefer.
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 White 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
When it comes to sound, the Ayara linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for a wide range of users, whether they are beginners or advanced typists. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White switch does not have a specific sound descriptor provided, so it is unclear how it compares in terms of sound. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ayara linear switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. This means reduced friction and smooth key travel, which can be particularly appealing to users who prefer a sleek feel when typing. Unfortunately, there is no specific description provided for the feel of the Outemu Silent White switch, so it is difficult to directly compare it to the Ayara in this aspect.
In conclusion, the Ayara linear switch offers a clacky sound profile and a polished feel, making it a great choice for those seeking a hearty typing experience with a smooth key travel. While the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent White switch are unknown based on the provided information, it is important to consider other factors such as personal preference, keyboard setup, and keycap choice when deciding between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches may offer similar results depending on individual preferences and use cases.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, you should consider your preference for a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile. If this sounds appealing to you, then the Ayara switch with its medium 62-gram bottom out force may be the right choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a 60-gram bottom out force and a neutral sound profile, then the Silent White switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and whether you prioritize sound, feel, or bottom out force in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
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