HMX Blue Topaz vs. Akko Rosewood

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the HMX Blue Topaz and the Akko Rosewood offers two distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The HMX Blue Topaz is celebrated for its ultra-smooth actuation and lightweight feel, ensuring that each keystroke is effortless and enjoyable. Its visually striking housing, adorned with glitter, not only provides an eye-catching aesthetic but also emits a clacky sound signature that many find satisfying. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood excels in delivering a rich auditory experience with its deep, thocky sounds, further enhanced by a layer of factory-applied lubricant that ensures a smooth typing experience right from the start. While the Blue Topaz might appeal to those who enjoy a lively and vibrant typing atmosphere, the Rosewood caters to users seeking a more subdued yet resonant sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Blue Topaz Linear

Akko Rosewood Linear

$4.00

$3.49 per 10

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Blue Topaz and the Akko Rosewood exhibit distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles. The Blue Topaz features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its stiffness and translucency that contributes to a sharper, crisper, and more resonant sound. This property makes it an excellent choice for users who enjoy a brighter auditory experience, particularly when RGB lighting is incorporated into their setups. The polycarbonate material allows for enhanced sound clarity, ensuring that the switch's acoustics are brightened and that any lighting effects shine through beautifully. In contrast, the Rosewood opts for nylon in its top housing, a softer plastic that absorbs sound more effectively. The result is a deeper and fuller sound profile that tends to create a rounder auditory experience. Hence, while both switches may have uniquely satisfying sounds, their tonal quality diverges due to the foundational materials.

When examining the bottom housings of both switches, it is important to note that both the Blue Topaz and the Rosewood utilize nylon, which provides consistency in the overall acoustic experience. As a classic switch housing material, nylon is known for its ability to offer a rich sound quality, characterized by its ability to dampen vibrations and promote a warm tone. Therefore, both switches maintain a degree of similarity when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel, as the nylon contributes to a depth and fullness that ensures a satisfying experience during keystrokes. This shared use of nylon creates a foundation where both switches can deliver a lush auditory experience despite the contrasting characteristics of their respective top housings.

Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in the HMX Blue Topaz and Akko Rosewood leads to interesting interactions in sound dynamics and tactile feedback during use. The different top materials yield distinct auditory qualities—sharp and bright in polycarbonate, versus deep and rounded in nylon—while the bottom housing mitigates some of these differences by offering a consistent sound profile across both models. Consequently, users may find that their typing or gaming experience retains a unique character from the switch's top housing while benefiting from the warm and full sound produced by the shared nylon bottoms. Whether one prefers a crisper keystroke or a rounder auditory feel ultimately hinges on personal preferences and the specific demands of their activities.

Weight

The HMX Blue Topaz linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch both exhibit the same actuation force of 40 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to their bottom out forces, the Blue Topaz sits at 48 grams, while the Rosewood reaches a slightly heavier 50 grams. This discrepancy indicates that while both switches offer a similar feel during light typing, the Rosewood requires just a bit more force to bottom out, resulting in a marginally firmer typing experience overall. Consequently, users who favor a lighter touch could opt for the Blue Topaz, while those who prefer a more substantial feel might find the Rosewood's slightly heavier bottom out force more appealing. Overall, both switches can provide a comfortable typing experience, but the small variations in their forces cater to different preferences among users.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, there is a slight difference worth noting. The Blue Topaz has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Rosewood comes in at 4 mm. This means that the Blue Topaz offers a shorter travel distance, which can be advantageous for users seeking quicker response times, making it a preferable choice for gaming. On the other hand, the Rosewood's longer travel distance may appeal to those who favor a more substantial keypress, providing a more tactile experience. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Blue Topaz might be the better option, whereas the Rosewood might suit those who enjoy a deeper, more deliberate keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound produced by the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch is characterized as clacky, providing a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory experience with each keystroke. This distinctive clackiness not only enhances the overall enjoyment of typing but also brings a certain liveliness to each press, making it ideal for users who appreciate an engaging sound profile. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood linear switch is known for its deep, satisfying thocky sound. This sound exudes richness and depth, creating an incredibly pleasing auditory feedback that resonates well, especially for those who prefer a more subdued yet powerful acoustic experience. Both switches produce unique sound signatures that cater to different preferences, which can be further influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycap materials.

When it comes to feel, the Blue Topaz stands out for its easy-to-press nature, allowing users to type with minimal resistance and effort. This lightweight actuation reduces finger fatigue, providing a comfortable typing experience, particularly during long sessions. The gentle resistance of the Blue Topaz creates a responsive and low-impact typing feel that many users find appealing. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood's feel is not explicitly described in the provided information, leaving an unknown aspect regarding its tactile feedback. However, users seeking a linear switch are likely drawn to a smooth actuation, which can be expected from the Rosewood as well.

In summary, the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch offer distinct auditory experiences, with the former presenting a clacky sound profile and the latter delivering a thocky resonance. The Blue Topaz excels in its lightweight and effortless actuation, promoting an enjoyable typing experience, while the tactile feedback of the Rosewood remains unspecified. While each switch has its unique traits, both can provide pleasant and fulfilling typing experiences depending on individual sound and feel preferences.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Blue Topaz and the Akko Rosewood linear switches, your personal preferences and usage scenarios will play crucial roles. If you prioritize a lightweight feel and enjoy an engaging auditory experience, the Blue Topaz is an excellent choice. Its super smooth actuation and clacky sound signature can make typing feel effortless and enjoyable, especially during long writing sessions or gaming marathons. Conversely, if you lean towards a deeper sound profile and appreciate a more robust tactile experience, the Rosewood switches might be more suitable for you. The satisfying thocky sound they produce is complemented by their slightly higher actuation force, making them ideal for those who want a more substantial feel under their fingers. Ultimately, both switches offer great qualities, so consider what aspects matter most to you in your typing or gaming experience before making your choice.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Blue Topaz Linear

$4.00

$3.49 per 10

Learn more

Akko Rosewood Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more