Jerrzi Coral vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Coral and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Jerrzi Coral and Cherry MX Black are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and characteristics. The Coral switch is renowned for its crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, creating a nuanced sophistication with stellar performance. On the other hand, the MX Black switch by Cherry boasts a classic textured smoothness and deep sound profile when typing, thanks to Cherry's Hyperglide tooling. While both switches are categorized as low-pitched, the Coral switch offers a silky typing experience, while the MX Black switch provides a stiffer feel. When deciding between the two switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for. 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
40g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Coral and the Cherry MX Black switches have significant differences in terms of their composition and resulting sound profile. The Coral's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. In contrast, the MX Black's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. While both housings serve their purpose well, the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housings, both the Jerrzi Coral and the Cherry MX Black switches utilize nylon as the material. This means that typing on switches with nylon bottom housings will elicit a similar deep and full sound profile for both switches. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, if you are looking for a consistent sound and feel when typing on either switch, the nylon bottom housing will provide that similar experience for both the Coral and MX Black switches.
Overall, while the top housing materials of the Jerrzi Coral and the Cherry MX Black switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles, the nylon bottom housings offer a similar typing experience for both switches. Whether you prefer the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper and fuller sound of nylon, both switches provide unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials will depend on your personal preference for sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jerrzi Coral linear switch to the Cherry MX Black linear switch, it is evident that the Coral has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, while the MX Black has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. The bottom out force of the Coral is unknown, while the MX Black has a heavy bottom out force of 80 grams. This means that the Coral will require less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the MX Black, making it a lighter option for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience and enjoy a stronger push feel, the MX Black with its heavier actuation and bottom out force may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Cherry MX Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Cherry MX Black switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Jerrzi Coral switch. With 4.0mm being the most traditional travel distance, the Cherry MX Black switch falls right within that range, offering a standard keypress feel. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Coral switch provides a slightly shorter travel distance, which might be favored by gamers looking for quicker response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with the Jerrzi Coral offering a shorter travel distance for fast typing speeds, while the Cherry MX Black provides a more traditional keypress feel with its longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Coral has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Coral for $2.30.
The Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 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, both the Jerrzi Coral and Cherry MX Black switches are described as having a low-pitched profile, which typically results in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This means that users can expect a similar deep sound when typing on either switch, although the specific tonal qualities may vary depending on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Jerrzi Coral switch is known for offering a silky typing experience, characterized by an exceptionally smooth feel that minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch is described as having a textured feel, which may indicate a slightly rougher typing experience with noticeable friction when pressed. Additionally, the MX Black switch is noted to be stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. Users who prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience may lean towards the Coral switch, while those who appreciate a bit of resistance might prefer the MX Black.
In conclusion, while the Jerrzi Coral and Cherry MX Black switches share some similarities such as their low-pitched sound profile, they offer distinct differences in terms of feel. The Coral switch provides a silky typing experience that promotes smoothness and minimal resistance, while the MX Black switch offers a textured and potentially stiffer feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing feel, as both switches are capable of delivering a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
Therefore, when choosing between the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, consider your preference for typing feel and sound. If you value a silky smooth typing experience with a lower-pitched resonance, then the Coral switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a textured feel with a heavier bottom-out force and a classic deep sound profile, the MX Black switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. Choose the switch that best aligns with your needs and enjoy the satisfying typing experience it delivers.
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