Jerrzi Coral vs. HMX Sunset Gleam

Overview

When considering the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Coral and the HMX Sunset Gleam stand out as two compelling options within the linear category. The Coral is celebrated for its distinctively crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, providing a typing experience that combines nuanced sophistication with stellar performance, making every keystroke feel delightful. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam, lovingly referred to as the "Duck Duck switch," offers a perfect blend of materials that results in a subtle top-out and a satisfying clack, bolstered further by the excellent factory lube for which HMX is renowned. While both switches provide a smooth linear experience, the Coral's silky feel appeals to those who prioritize a refined typing sensation, whereas the Sunset Gleam attracts users who appreciate a bit more auditory feedback with their keystrokes. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Jerrzi Coral Linear

HMX Sunset Gleam Linear

$2.79

$2.30 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Jerrzi Coral and the HMX Sunset Gleam both feature polycarbonate top housings, which significantly enhances the acoustic clarity and resonance of their respective switches. The characteristics attributed to polycarbonate in their designs lead to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, largely due to the material's rigidity. This quality ensures that both switches will produce a similar auditory experience when engaged, making them a great choice for users seeking enhanced sound performance. Furthermore, polycarbonate's translucent nature allows for effective RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of both switches, and providing a bright glow that complements their sound features.

In contrast, both models incorporate nylon for their bottom housings, which contributes distinctly to the overall sound profile when typing. Nylon's softer composition allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a deeper, fuller tone that can significantly alter the perception of the switch when engaged. The combination of nylon's sound-dampening qualities with the clarity afforded by polycarbonate in the top housing creates a unique balance between high-pitched sounds and a rounder, mellower base sound. This synergy results in a well-rounded auditory experience for users, offering a satisfying typing feel that showcases the strengths of both materials.

Overall, while the Jerrzi Coral and HMX Sunset Gleam share similarities in their top polycarbonate housings and bottom nylon housings, the variances in their individual characteristics have specific implications for their acoustic outputs. The polycarbonate tops provide brightness and clarity during key release, while the nylon bottoms contribute warmth and body to the typing experience. Consequently, users can expect an enjoyable and consistent sound and feel across both models, attributable to their shared material choices. In essence, regardless of individual designs, both switches can achieve comparable results in terms of acoustics and aesthetics, making either a solid choice for enthusiasts looking for quality and performance.

Weight

The Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch present some interesting contrasts in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Coral has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it the lighter option when compared to the Sunset Gleam, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 42 grams. However, the Coral lacks information on its bottom out force; thus, no comparison can be made in that regard. The Sunset Gleam provides a bottom out force of 48 grams, indicating that it offers a more substantial feel when bottoming out. For users who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Coral may be a more suitable choice, while those seeking a sturdier typing experience might gravitate towards the Sunset Gleam due to its heavier actuation and discernible bottom out force.

Travel distance

The Jerrzi Coral linear switch features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Coral offers a more substantial feel with an additional 0.2 mm of depth, which may appeal to users who prefer a more satisfying tactile experience. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam, with its shorter travel distance, may provide a quicker response time favored by gamers seeking rapid key presses. Therefore, if responsiveness is your priority, the HMX Sunset Gleam would be the better option. Conversely, if you enjoy a more pronounced key feel, the Jerrzi Coral would be more to your liking. Overall, while both switches cater to different preferences, the Coral is the longer option and the Sunset Gleam is the shorter one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Coral switch stands out with its lower-pitched resonance, offering a warm and mellow audio profile that can make typing feel more immersive. This sound signature often evokes a comforting yet sophisticated experience with every keystroke. The HMX Sunset Gleam, although not explicitly described in terms of sound, is noted for its subtle top-out and a satisfying clack. This suggests that while it may not possess the same deeper acoustic qualities as the Coral, it likely produces a pleasant and crisp auditory feedback that can be enjoyable for many users. However, the overall sound characteristics can greatly vary based on the keyboard build and keycaps used, so users could achieve somewhat comparable results in the right setup.

In terms of feel, the Jerrzi Coral switch excels with its silky smoothness, providing an exceptionally refined typing experience that minimizes resistance on both keystroke and release. This feature enhances the tactile pleasure of typing, making it feel almost fluid. The Sunset Gleam switch, while the description does not elaborate on its tactile qualities, is known for having excellent factory lubrication. This suggests that the Sunset Gleam may also offer a smooth typing feel, although it’s unclear if it reaches the same level of silky smoothness as the Coral. Nevertheless, users may find both switches to deliver satisfying experiences, with the potential for varying sensations depending on individual preferences and techniques.

In conclusion, the Jerrzi Coral switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch offer distinct yet overlapping qualities that can cater to different user preferences. The Coral switch’s lower-pitched sound and silky feel may appeal to those seeking a smooth and immersive experience, while the Sunset Gleam's subtle auditory feedback and factory lube suggest a similarly pleasant typing experience, albeit with a different character. Depending on the user’s setup and preferences, either switch could yield a satisfying typing journey, thus enabling keyboard enthusiasts to enjoy their mechanical keyboards in various ways.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, consider your personal typing preferences and the qualities you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch. If you prioritize a smooth and silky typing experience combined with a low-pitched, sophisticated sound, the Coral switch is your best bet. It's particularly suited for those who enjoy a more refined feel and want to indulge in a delightful tactile experience, making it ideal for long writing sessions or focused gaming. On the other hand, if you favor a bit more feedback and enjoy the satisfying clack accompanied by a light bottom-out force, the HMX Sunset Gleam will likely be the better option for you. This switch strikes a balance with its subtle top-out feel and is great for typers who appreciate the engaging sound profile that can enhance their overall typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you lean towards a more mellow, smooth typing experience with the Coral or the lively and slightly more pronounced feedback offered by the Sunset Gleam.

Mentioned in this article

Jerrzi Coral Linear

$2.79

$2.30 per 10

Learn more

HMX Sunset Gleam Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more