Gazzew Bobagum vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear. The Bobagum is praised for its unique smoothness, offering a tactile experience like no other. With a sound profile that is nearly silent, these bubblegum-colored switches provide a muted and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear is known for its innovative design. It boasts a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. This switch offers a silky smooth typing feel without being overly polished. Categorized as subdued, neutral, mild, snappy, buttery, and polished, it provides a versatile and satisfying typing experience. However, let's delve deeper into the specifics of each switch so you can make an informed decision on the best option for your needs.

By the numbers

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

Jwick Semi-Silent Linear Linear

$6.50 per 10

$6.50

$5.27 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gazzew Bobagum and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear differ in their housing materials, which greatly affect the sound profile of the switches. The Bobagum utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend for both the top and bottom housing, while the Semi-Silent Linear incorporates polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. This contrast in materials leads to distinct differences in sound.

The Gazzew blend top housing of the Bobagum offers a softness that delivers a rich and deep sound profile. This proprietary plastic blend, often referred to as "boba plastic," enhances the acoustics and creates a more immersive typing experience. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, it results in a more clear and resonant sound profile. While both materials have their merits, the Gazzew blend provides a softer, warmer sound, while polycarbonate offers a brighter and more vibrant tone.

Moving to the bottom housing, the Gazzew Bobagum utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend once again, contributing to the rich and deep sound profile experienced upon bottoming out a key. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear employs nylon, a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, while both switch models provide a rich sound profile, the Bobagum with its Gazzew blend bottom housing offers a softer and mellower tone, whereas the Semi-Silent Linear with its nylon bottom housing presents a deeper and fuller sound.

Though the Gazzew Bobagum and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear have different housing materials, they both deliver an exceptional typing experience. In terms of sound, the Bobagum's Gazzew blend top housing and bottom housing provide a rich and deep profile, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, paired with a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deeper and fuller tone. While the specific characteristics of each housing material may differ, the end result is that both switches create a satisfying auditory experience. Whether you prefer the softness and warmth of the Bobagum or the sharper and clearer tones of the Semi-Silent Linear, both switches offer excellent sound profiles for different typing preferences.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, there are both similarities and differences to consider. The Bobagum has an actuation force of 46 grams, which indicates the amount of force required to trigger a keystroke. In comparison, the actuation force of the Semi-Silent Linear is unknown. Both switches, however, have a bottom out force of 62 grams, which measures the force needed to press the key all the way down. In terms of weight, the Bobagum is lighter with its actuation force, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch's actuation force is unknown, so it is difficult to compare its weight to the Bobagum. It's worth mentioning that for those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, opting for switches with heavier forces would be ideal. Overall, while there is some information missing regarding the Semi-Silent Linear switch's actuation force, it can be concluded that both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Bobagum being the lighter option in terms of actuation force.

Travel distance

The travel distances of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch are relatively comparable, with the Bobagum having a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm and the Semi-Silent Linear having a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. These distances fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become more prevalent in recent times due to the preference of gamers for faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, opting for the Bobagum with its shorter travel distance may be the preferred choice. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and may prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more satisfying keystroke depth. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on individual preferences for travel distance and typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch is known for its unique and unparalleled tactility, offering a smooth and 'matte' feel that sets it apart from other switches. When it comes to sound, these bubblegum-colored switches provide a nearly silent profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is considered one of the most innovative releases in a long time. While it maintains a clacky bottom-out sound, the topping-out sound is whisper-quiet, resulting in a semi-silent experience. The feel of the Bobagum switch is described as subtle, with gentle resistance and a non-resonant sound signature, making it suitable for shared spaces. The Semi-Silent Linear switch, on the other hand, offers a mild typing experience in a safe middle-ground zone. It is also described as snappy, indicating its responsiveness, and buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Both switches provide qualities that are approachable to most users. In terms of available information, the Bobagum switch excels in unique tactility and near-silent sound, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch stands out for its innovative semi-silent experience and mild, snappy, and buttery feel. These comparisons provide key insights into the subjective qualities of these switches, allowing users to make an informed decision based on their preferences.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and specific needs. If you prioritize a unique tactile experience with a nearly silent sound profile, the Bobagum switch is a great choice. Its "matte" feel and unparalleled tactility offer a smooth typing experience with minimal noise. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a more subtle sound signature while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is a suitable option. It provides a silky smooth type feel and a moderate sound profile, making it ideal for various purposes. Additionally, the Jwick switch offers different descriptors such as mild, snappy, buttery, and polished, providing a diverse range of typing experiences. Ultimately, consider your desired sound profile, typing feel, and typing environment to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.

Mentioned in this article

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

$6.50 per 10

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Jwick Semi-Silent Linear Linear

$6.50

$5.27 per 10

Learn more