Gazzew Bobagum vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Gazzew Bobagum and TTC Speed Silver, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics for different typing experiences. The Bobagum is renowned for redefining smoothness with its distinctive 'matte' feel, striking a balance between the polished glide of ice-skating and the texture of unlubed switches. This switch provides unparalleled tactility, making every keystroke satisfyingly distinct. Additionally, the Bobagum boasts a nearly silent sound profile, ensuring a peaceful typing environment. On the other hand, the Speed Silver is a top choice for those who prioritize speed and precision in their typing. With a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile, these tactile switches deliver a fast and accurate typing experience. Furthermore, the reduced travel distance of the Speed Silver allows for quick and effortless actuation. However, let's delve deeper into the specifics of each switch to help you determine which one is best suited to your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and TTC Speed Silver switches offer distinct differences in sound profiles. The Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, sometimes known as "boba plastic," provides a rich and deep sound due to its softness. In contrast, the Speed Silver's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile, making it ideal for those who prioritize a higher-pitched sound. However, both materials offer a translucent quality, allowing for the use of RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch that provides a vibrant lighting experience alongside a distinct sound, both the Bobagum and Speed Silver will yield similar results.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Bobagum utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend, resulting in a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Contrastingly, the Speed Silver employs nylon as its bottom housing material. Nylon is a classic choice that produces a deeper and fuller sound. The softness of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, if you prefer a switch with a softer and more muffled sound upon bottoming out, the Bobagum's Gazzew blend bottom housing may be your ideal choice. Conversely, the Speed Silver's nylon bottom housing offers a more robust and resonant typing experience.
It is important to note that when a switch features different housing materials for its top and bottom parts, the qualities of each material will impact different aspects of the switch's sound profile. The bottom housing material predominantly influences the sound and feel when bottoming out the key, while the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound when releasing the key. Therefore, depending on your preferences, you can choose between the Bobagum and Speed Silver to achieve the desired sound experience during key depression and release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, it is clear that they both fall within the medium range of force. The Bobagum has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. The Speed Silver, on the other hand, has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly lighter.
The actuation force of a switch determines the amount of force required to trigger a keystroke. In this case, both switches have very similar actuation forces, with the Bobagum being slightly heavier. This means that typing on either switch will require a similar level of force to initiate a keystroke.
On the other hand, the bottom out force of a switch measures the force required to fully press down a key. Here, we see a noticeable difference between the two switches. The Bobagum has a higher bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. The Speed Silver, with its lower bottom out force of 55 grams, offers a lighter typing experience, which may be preferred by those who want to type for longer periods without fatigue.
In terms of weight, the Speed Silver can be considered as the lighter option. This lighter weight allows for extended typing sessions, making it ideal for keyboards used at work or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Bobagum's slightly heavier weight may be preferred by individuals who desire a more satisfying and substantial typing experience.
Overall, while both the Gazzew Bobagum and TTC Speed Silver linear switches fall within the medium force range, they differ in terms of bottom out force and weight. The Bobagum offers a heavier bottom out force and is slightly heavier overall, while the Speed Silver provides a lighter bottom out force and weight. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, we can see that they have slightly different measurements. The Bobagum has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Speed Silver has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular. Gamers, in particular, often opt for shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, the Speed Silver with its slightly shorter travel distance might be the better choice for you. However, it's worth noting that some individuals find short travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down your keys, the Bobagum's slightly longer travel distance may be more suited to your preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
The Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 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 Gazzew Bobagum linear switch provides a muted sound profile. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound that suits most intents and purposes. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Bobagum switch offers a subtle typing experience. It has a gentle resistance that provides a light typing feel. Additionally, the sound signature of the Bobagum switch is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver switch offers a mild typing experience. It provides a more gentle typing feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Moreover, the Speed Silver switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities. The Bobagum switch provides a nearly silent sound profile and a subtle, gentle typing feel. On the other hand, the Speed Silver switch has a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience with a polished, smooth finish. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can choose the switch that suits your needs. However, if you prefer a more quiet and subtle typing experience, the Bobagum may be the better option, while the Speed Silver offers a more neutral and polished feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and almost 'matte' feel, along with a nearly silent sound profile, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches offer unparalleled tactility and a medium bottom out force of 62 grams. They are best known for redefining smoothness and providing a unique typing experience.
On the other hand, if you value a fast and precise typing experience, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is medium-light, these switches have a reduced travel distance, allowing for quick and effortless actuation. They are best known for their light-medium resistance and pristine sound profile.
In terms of sound, the Bobagum is described as producing a muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Speed Silver has a neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes and environments.
When it comes to feel, the Bobagum offers a subtle switch with gentle resistance, providing a light typing feel and a non-resonant sound signature. The Speed Silver, on the other hand, offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience due to reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum and the TTC Speed Silver depends on your preferences. If you prioritize smoothness, tactility, and a silent sound profile, the Bobagum would be an excellent choice. If you prefer a fast and precise typing experience, along with a neutral sound profile, the Speed Silver would be a fantastic option. Consider your typing preferences and needs to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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