SP-Star Ayara vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options worth considering are the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Ayara switch stands out for its medium heftiness, making it an excellent choice for those who value a robust typing experience. Typists using the Ayara switches will appreciate their soft bottom-out feel, accompanied by a satisfyingly clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is renowned for its light actuation force, making it particularly appealing to gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. This switch features a neutral sound profile, ensuring a pleasant typing experience for all users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision based on your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches differ in terms of the top housing material. The Ayara features a nylon top housing, while the Yellow Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. These variations lead to distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Ayara's nylon top housing absorbs more sound due to its relatively softer plastic, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. In contrast, the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer plastic composition. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and fuller sound profile.
When it comes to the impact on the sound and feel of the switches, the qualities of the housing materials are divided between the top and bottom housing. Pressing down on the switch will primarily showcase the qualities of the bottom housing. As both the Ayara and the Yellow Silver employ nylon for their bottom housing, the typing experience on these switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, when you release a key, the impact on sound is influenced more by the top housing. The Ayara's nylon top housing and the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing both contribute to the overall sound profile upon key release.
In terms of aesthetics, the SP-Star Ayara's nylon top and bottom housing might not lend itself to RGB lighting due to its solid appearance. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing, with its transparent quality, allows for an enhanced RGB lighting experience. The translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for switches if RGB lighting is a priority. However, both switches maintain a classic design and offer the benefits of nylon in their bottom housing, resulting in a similar depth in sound profile. Whether you prioritize sound, aesthetics, or RGB lighting, both the Ayara and the Yellow Silver provide unique experiences based on their respective housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches, there are notable differences. The Ayara switch has an actuation force value that is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare. However, its bottom out force is 62 grams, which is considered medium in terms of force required to fully press a key.
On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch has a distinct actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter force needed to trigger a keystroke compared to the Ayara. Similarly, its bottom out force is 55 grams, suggesting a medium-light pressure required to press the key all the way down.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing or long gaming sessions may find the Outemu Yellow Silver more suitable, given its lower actuation force. For individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the unavailable actuation force of the Ayara may still result in similar results if it aligns with their desired force. Ultimately, the Ayara can be considered heavier in terms of bottom out force, while the Outemu Yellow Silver can be considered lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when comparing and contrasting different keyboard switches. In the case of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. This similarity ensures that users can expect similar results and tactile feedback when typing on keyboards with either of these switches. It is worth noting that having the same travel distance can be advantageous for those who prefer consistency and a familiar typing experience. Ultimately, the SP-Star Ayara and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches offer the same travel distance, making them equally viable options for keyboard enthusiasts.
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 Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch has a neutral sound profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that it produces a moderate and well-balanced sound when pressed, making it suitable for various purposes and users. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch also has a neutral sound profile with a similar actuation force requirement. This means that it also produces a moderate sound when pressed, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. However, 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.
When it comes to feel, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is described as polished. This indicates that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The smooth and polished finish helps to reduce friction and provides a smooth key travel, enhancing the overall feel of typing. On the other hand, there is no specific description available for the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch.
Considering the available information, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is recommended for those who prefer a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile. It has a medium heftness and a polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. The Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, on the other hand, is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it favorable for gamers and typists who prefer speediness and responsiveness. Based on the provided information, both switches have a neutral sound profile, but the Ayara offers a more defined sound description. While the Ayara is described as polished for its feel, no specific description is available for the Yellow Silver switch. Overall, they can both provide satisfying typing experiences, but with slight differences in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a hearty typing experience and a soft bottom-out feel, along with a clacky sound profile, we recommend the SP-Star Ayara linear switch. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, it provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is a great choice. With a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, it is favorable for both gamers and typists. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it is important to note that the Ayara switch has a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preferences and typing style.
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