Outemu Crystal vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Crystal and the Cherry MX Brown. The Outemu Crystal is a linear switch known for its unique and elastic feel, providing a medium-light weight typing experience. Typists can expect a neutral sound profile while using these switches, thanks to their chirpy, high-pitched, and polished categorization. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown is recognized for its subtlety. These switches offer a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. Categorized as textured, bassy, and low-pitched, the MX Brown switches provide a different tactile typing experience. Both switches have their own advantages and characteristics that might appeal to different users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Crystal and the Cherry MX Brown switches have distinct differences. The Crystal switch features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. While the Crystal's polycarbonate top housing offers a more clear and resonant sound, the MX Brown's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound experience.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal switch also incorporates polycarbonate in its construction. Similar to the top housing, the use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance. Moreover, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it a suitable choice for RGB lighting. In contrast, the MX Brown switch employs a nylon bottom housing material. This classic switch housing material elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to the relatively softer nature of nylon, it absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. Thus, while the Crystal's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a clear and resonant sound, the MX Brown's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound experience.
In switches where the top and bottom housings are different, the characteristics brought by each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more apparent, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing is more influential when it comes to the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, depending on the switch design, the experience of typing on either the Outemu Crystal or the Cherry MX Brown can be influenced by both the top and bottom housing materials, resulting in differences in sound profile and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there is a notable similarity in their actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, which places them in the medium-light range. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both switches, as well as the force exerted when pressing all the way down.
Considering weight as a factor, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience or extended typing sessions would find both switches suitable. The actuation force and bottom out force being the same ensures that the results obtained from typing on either switch would be similar in terms of force exertion. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, both switches may feel relatively lighter. In such cases, it may be advisable to explore options with heavier forces to meet their preference.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. In terms of travel distance, there is no difference between the two switches, so you can expect similar results when typing or gaming on a keyboard with either switch type.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Crystal comes in at $3.40, whereas the Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00.
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 Outemu Crystal linear switch offers a unique acoustic experience. It has a chirpy sound, which adds a little squeak to the typing experience. This sets it apart from other switches and gives it a distinct sound profile. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a more subtle and subdued sound. It is described as bassy, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. The low-pitched sound of the MX Brown creates a mellow and bass-heavy audio feedback. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Crystal linear switch provides a polished typing experience. This means that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Crystal switch's polished feel enhances the overall typing experience and gives it a sleek sensation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is described as textured. This means that it has noticeable friction when pressed, which some users prefer for a more tactile experience. However, others may prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience.
Overall, the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Crystal switch provides a unique linear typing experience with a medium-light weight and a neutral sound profile. Its polished feel adds to its smoothness and refined typing sensation. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch offers a lighter typing experience with gentle tactility and a subdued, bassy sound profile. It provides a more textured feel compared to the Crystal switch. Although they have their differences, both switches have qualities that cater to different preferences, allowing users to find the switch that suits their typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique, linear typing experience with a medium-light weight and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Crystal linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a fairly elastic type feel and provide a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be more suitable. These switches offer a relatively light typing experience and are best known for their subtlety. In terms of sound, the Crystal switch has a chirpy and high-pitched sound profile, while the MX Brown switch has a bassy and low-pitched sound profile. Lastly, in terms of feel, the Crystal switch provides a polished and smooth typing experience, while the MX Brown switch has a textured and slightly scratchy feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and feel.
Mentioned in this article
