SP-Star Ayara vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch to the TTC Venus linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Ayara is known for its medium heftiness, providing a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Venus stands out for its innovative internal configuration, offering a seamless glide with a "Q-texture" that brings a matte sensation to each press. While the Ayara is categorized as 'Neutral', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the Venus is described as 'Buttery', 'Gummy', 'Frictionless', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Muted', 'Neutral', 'Polished', 'Subdued', and 'Thocky'. When choosing between these switches, consider whether you prefer a heavier, more tactile typing experience with the Ayara or a smooth, light actuation with captivating texture found in the Venus. 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
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and TTC Venus differ in terms of their top and bottom housing compositions. The Ayara features nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Venus utilizes POM top housing, creating a unique sound profile that is on the deeper side and more muted. Similarly, the Ayara's nylon bottom housing contributes to the switch's overall sound profile by providing a duller and rounder sound, while the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature.
Despite their differences, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in generating specific sound profiles. The Ayara's nylon top and bottom housing work together to create a deeper and fuller sound, emphasizing the impact of softer plastics on sound absorption. On the other hand, the Venus's POM top housing and polycarbonate bottom housing showcase a contrast in sound with the former providing a muted, deep sound and the latter yielding a crisper and clearer sound profile. While they differ in their compositions and resulting sounds, both switches exemplify how housing materials play a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience.
The split between top and bottom housing materials in switches like the Ayara and Venus allows for a nuanced sound profile that combines the unique qualities of each material. When pressing down on these switches, users can feel the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a tactile experience that complements the sound produced. Conversely, the top housing's influence becomes more apparent when releasing a key, showcasing its role in dictating the sound profile when the key is released. Overall, the combination of different housing materials in these switches highlights the importance of material composition in achieving desired sound characteristics and typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident that the Ayara has a lower actuation force of None grams compared to the Venus which has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Venus switch requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ayara has a higher force of 62 grams in comparison to the Venus which has a bottom out force of 52 grams. This indicates that the Ayara switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Venus provides a lighter touch for a smoother typing experience. In terms of weight, the Ayara is the heavier option, making it suitable for those who prefer a more robust typing feel, while the Venus is lighter and ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions.Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, the Ayara has a travel distance of 4 mm while the Venus has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Ayara falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, while the Venus is on the shallower end. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Venus due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial actuation depth may find the Ayara more appealing. In this case, the Venus would be the shorter option, while the Ayara is the longer one - although both options provide slightly different typing experiences due to their respective travel distances.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 and high-pitched sound profile, offering a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for a variety of typing preferences. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch provides a low-pitched and muted sound, offering a softer and quieter typing experience that minimizes noise. While the Ayara switch delivers a clacky sound profile, the Venus switch offers a subdued and thocky sound signature that adds a unique auditory dimension to each keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a more traditional mechanical keyboard sound or a quieter, more subdued typing experience.
In terms of feel, the SP-Star Ayara switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch offers a buttery, gummy, frictionless, and mild typing experience, ensuring a seamless, effortless, and uniform keystroke sensation with minimal resistance or friction. Both switches offer a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and satisfying typing experience. The choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth and refined typing experience or a more fluid and effortless keystroke sensation.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ayara switch provides a medium heftiness with a clacky sound profile and a polished typing experience, while the Venus switch showcases a unique internal configuration with a light actuation force, a muted sound signature, and a buttery, gummy feel. Whether you prefer a more traditional mechanical keyboard sound with a hearty typing experience or a quieter, smoother typing experience with a unique "Q-texture" sensation, both switches offer their own set of subjective qualities to cater to different preferences. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a hearty typing experience with a medium-bottom out force and a soft bottom-out feel, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch would be a suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force for rapid typing with a unique "matte" sensation and a muted sound signature, the TTC Venus linear switch would be more up your alley. Ultimately, the decision between the Ayara and Venus switches comes down to personal preference in typing feel and sound profile. Consider your typing style and preferences when choosing between these two excellent linear switches.
Mentioned in this article
