Everglide Crystal Violet vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the SP-Star Yanyu are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch designed for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a light operating force of 45g, it provides a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch is perfect for individuals seeking a delicate typing experience or those who tend to type for long periods. Its material blend gives it a crisp sound profile. While both switches fall under the 'Mild' and 'Neutral' categories, the Crystal Violet is characterized as 'Creamy' and 'Low-pitched', while the Yanyu is known for its 'Thocky', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished' attributes. 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the SP-Star Yanyu have contrasting housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Crystal Violet's ABS top and bottom housing are relatively rare choices for switch housings, but they provide a low-pitched sound profile when typing. In comparison, the Yanyu utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both its top and bottom housing, offering a distinct sound profile that is described as pleasant and slightly brighter. While both switches have different materials for their top and bottom housings, the Crystal Violet focuses more on the bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the Yanyu's sound is influenced by both the top and bottom housing materials.
In terms of the top housing, the Crystal Violet's ABS material and the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend contribute to different sound characteristics. The ABS top housing of the Crystal Violet results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile, giving it a distinct typing experience. In comparison, the Yanyu's unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE provides a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but slightly brighter. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched typing sound, the Yanyu provides a more pleasant, bright sound when keys are released.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the ABS material of the Crystal Violet and the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend of the Yanyu bring contrasting elements to the switches' sound profiles. With the Crystal Violet, the ABS bottom housing contributes to a low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend in the bottom housing also contribute to its unique sound profile, offering a pleasant sound that is not sharp but slightly brighter. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet emphasizes a low-pitched bottom-out sound, the Yanyu's bottom housing adds to its overall pleasant and bright sound profile.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the SP-Star Yanyu present different housing materials that shape their individual sound profiles. The Crystal Violet, with its ABS top and bottom housing, provides a relatively low-pitched sound when typing. In contrast, the Yanyu's top and bottom housing made from a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend offers a pleasant, slightly brighter sound experience. While there are differences between the two, it is worth noting that both switches prioritize the housing material's impact on sound, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and the top housing contributing to the sound when releasing keys.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch required to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Yanyu's actuation force is unknown, making it difficult to evaluate its sensitivity. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams of force to fully press down, offering a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Yanyu has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams, which may be preferred by those looking for a more effortless typing experience. Overall, the Crystal Violet can be considered the heavier option in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force, while the Yanyu leans towards the lighter end. However, if a lighter weight is desired, both switches can provide similar results due to their relatively low actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for typing experience and their specific typing needs.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience provided by these switches. Both switches offer a comfortable travel distance that allows for smooth and precise keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow and low-pitched sound profile. This means that the sound they produce leans more towards the bass-heavy and subtle side, creating a non-intrusive auditory experience. The special use of ABS in the switch housings contributes to this unique sound quality. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switches are described as having a crisp sound profile. While the specific details of the sound are not mentioned, this suggests that the Yanyu switches may have a more distinct and clear sound compared to the Crystal Violets. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so individual results may vary. Overall, if you prefer a low-pitched and mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice. If you're looking for a crisper sound, the Yanyu switches would be more suitable.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy, mild, and stepped tactile typing experience. This means that they provide a smooth and buttery sensation while typing, thanks to either factory lubrication or specific materials. The mild feel ensures that the typing experience is approachable to most individuals, with qualities that fall within a safe and middle-ground zone. The stepped nature of these switches means that they have a two-stage tactile feel, providing some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. On the other hand, the Yanyu switches deliver a mild and feathery typing experience. This indicates that they offer a gentle and lightweight feel, reducing finger fatigue and strain during extended typing sessions. The feathery nature of the Yanyu switches also means that they have a subtle resistance and a sound signature that is not resonant, making them suitable for use in shared spaces. Additionally, the Yanyu switches may have a polished finish, which results in a sleek and smooth key travel. In terms of feel, if you prefer a creamy and stepped tactile experience, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice. If you desire a mild and feathery typing experience with a polished finish, the Yanyu switches would be more fitting.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched and mellow sound profile, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. They also provide a creamy, mild, and stepped tactile feel, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with a safe and middle-ground resistance. On the other hand, the Yanyu switches have a crisp sound profile, which suggests a more distinct and clear sound. They deliver a mild and feathery typing experience, reducing finger fatigue and providing a comfortable feel for extended typing sessions. The Yanyu switches may also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel. If you desire a low-pitched and mellow sound with a creamy and stepped tactile feel, the Crystal Violet switches would be the better choice. However, if you prefer a crisper sound with a mild and feathery typing experience, potentially enhanced by a polished finish, the Yanyu switches would be more suited to your needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel, making them perfect for those typing for long periods of time. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, which creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. The use of ABS in these switches' housings contributes to their unique sound profile. Overall, the Crystal Violet switches provide a creamy and mild typing experience, offering a smooth and buttery sensation while typing.
On the other hand, if you prefer a light typing experience with a light bottom out force, the SP-Star Yanyu switches should be your go-to option. These switches are designed for those seeking a delicate typing experience, and they are particularly suitable for extended typing sessions such as gaming, school, or work. The Yanyu switches have a crisp sound profile, and they are described as having a neutral sound characteristic that is suitable for various contexts, whether you are a beginner or advanced user and whether you plan to use them at home or work. Furthermore, the Yanyu switches offer a mild and feathery feel, providing a comfortable and effortless typing experience while reducing finger fatigue.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prioritize a relaxed and stepped tactile feel with a medium-light force, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a delicate and light typing experience with a light force, the SP-Star Yanyu switches are the better choice for you. Consider your typing preferences, the sound profile you desire, and the level of force you find comfortable when making your decision.
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