HMX Cheese vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the realm of mechanical keyboard switches, two standout options are the HMX Cheese and the Haimu Viola Tricolor, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The HMX Cheese is a linear switch, known for its unparalleled smoothness and ultra-light feel, providing a satisfying clacky sound with each key press. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor is a tactile switch, designed to deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile, with a pronounced tactility that strikes a perfect balance between feedback and comfort. While the Cheese offers a light and crisp typing experience, the Viola Tricolor adds character and depth to each keystroke. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the Haimu Viola Tricolor exhibit significant differences in terms of sound profiles. The Cheese utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon and its ability to absorb more sound. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to nylon. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Viola Tricolor stands out for its ability to create a clear and resonant sound that is especially enhanced when used with RGB lighting.
Despite their differences, both switches share the commonality of utilizing nylon for their bottom housing. This choice of material enables both the Cheese and the Viola Tricolor to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. However, the distinction lies in the top housing material, with the Cheese's nylon top housing contributing to a duller and rounder sound, while the Viola Tricolor's polycarbonate top housing enhances the overall sound profile with a sharper and crisper tone. The combination of these materials in each switch showcases how the housing plays a crucial role in shaping the sound output of mechanical keyboards.
In understanding the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it is evident that the qualities of nylon and polycarbonate are crucial in determining the sound profile of mechanical switches. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound produced when a key is released. The HMX Cheese and Haimu Viola Tricolor exemplify how the choice of housing material can shape the overall sound experience of mechanical keyboards, with each material offering distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences for sound output.
Weight
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch. The Cheese requires 43 grams of force to actuate and 46 grams to bottom out, while the Viola Tricolor has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. The actuation force of the Viola Tricolor is unknown, but given the heavier bottom out force, it can be inferred that it is likely higher than the Cheese. The lighter actuation force of the Cheese makes it ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions, while the heavier bottom out force of the Viola Tricolor provides a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and comfort.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the travel distance of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is 3.8 mm. In this case, the Viola Tricolor has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cheese. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular for their faster response times, the Viola Tricolor provides a slightly deeper key press experience. Gamers may prefer the Cheese for its slightly shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Viola Tricolor. Overall, both switches offer a similar typing experience due to their close travel distances, but the Viola Tricolor can provide a slightly more satisfying key press for those who enjoy a longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.79.
The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 HMX Cheese linear switch offers a unique clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that is unparalleled in its smoothness. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch provides a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to the typing experience. While the Cheese switch leans towards a lighter and crisper sound, the Viola Tricolor offers a deeper and richer tone with its bassy and low-pitched characteristics. Both switches bring their own distinct sound qualities to the table, catering to different preferences in typing acoustics depending on the user's taste and setup.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Cheese switch is renowned for its smoothness and pristine typing experience, but specific descriptors for its tactile feel are not provided. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch is noted for its pronounced tactility that strikes a perfect balance, offering a sharp sensation without becoming overly tactile. Described as accented and invigorating, the Viola Tricolor switch provides a medium tactile feel that is not overwhelming but still offers a satisfying feedback during key presses. The tactile feel of a switch plays a crucial role in the typing experience, influencing the overall comfort and speed of typing for the user.
In conclusion, the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cheese switch excels in delivering a smooth and ultra-light typing experience with a clacky sound profile, the Viola Tricolor switch provides a punchier and more tactile typing experience with a deeper, bassy sound signature. Both switches cater to different preferences in typing sound and feel, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences and typing style. Whether opting for the Cheese for a lighter touch or the Viola Tricolor for a pronounced tactility, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider your preference for typing force and sound profile. If you enjoy a lighter typing experience with a smooth and crispy sound, the Cheese switch with its 46 grams bottom out force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing force with a thuddy and punchy sound profile that strikes a balance between tactile feedback and smoothness, the Viola Tricolor switch with its 63.5 grams bottom out force is likely the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you desire.
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