HMX Deep Navy vs. Wuque Studio WS Dash

Overview

When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between a variety of options, each with its unique characteristics and benefits. The HMX Deep Navy, a linear switch, is celebrated for its rich, sharp sound profile and silky smooth keystrokes, offering an immersive typing experience thanks to its full nylon construction and Ly stem design. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who prefer a quiet, uninterrupted keystroke without tactile feedback. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Dash switch, a Hall Effect variant, stands out with its bright and clacky sound signature and refined aesthetic, providing a more tactile experience that gamers might appreciate while still ensuring ease of typing. Both switches have their merits, with the Deep Navy offering a serene typing environment and the WS Dash delivering a lively auditory feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Deep Navy Linear

Wuque Studio WS Dash Hall Effect

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$7.49 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Wuque Studio WS Dash, we observe a notable contrast primarily in their top housings. The Deep Navy utilizes a nylon top housing, known for its ability to create a deeper, fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer characteristics. This softer material absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the WS Dash opts for a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, more high-pitched sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffer structure results in a clearer and more resonant sound, offering a distinct auditory experience, especially when paired with RGB lighting, which can further enhance the visual aspects of the switches.

In terms of bottom housings, both the Deep Navy and WS Dash incorporate nylon, which evokes a similar auditory experience characterized by a deep and full sound. The nylon bottom housing common to both models filters the sound produced during keystrokes, emphasizing the thicker sound quality associated with this material. As a result, when users press down on the keys, they will perceive a consistent feeling and sound leaving very little room for variance in this aspect, making for a cohesive experience when it comes to the tactile and auditory sensation produced during typing.

The overall impact of the different top housing materials in conjunction with the same bottom housing material results in a unique interplay of sound projection and tactile feedback in each switch. While the nylon bottom housing ensures a rich and rounded bottom-out sound, the contrasting top housings dictate how the sound is experienced upon releasing the keys. Therefore, users who prefer a warmer auditory experience may gravitate towards the Deep Navy, while those seeking a crisper and more pronounced sound will likely favor the WS Dash. Nevertheless, the shared nylon bottom housing guarantees that both switches will deliver a similar depth and richness to the typing experience, uniting both styles in the world of mechanical keyboards.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Deep Navy has a relatively light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer less resistance during typing, allowing for extended use without fatigue. In contrast, the WS Dash features a slightly lighter actuation force of 30 grams but a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams. This configuration provides a different typing experience, as the lighter actuation might feel more responsive, while the heavier bottom out offers a more pronounced tactile feedback. Consequently, the Deep Navy is the heavier option overall due to its higher bottom out force, while the WS Dash, with its lighter actuation force, might appeal to those seeking a quick and agile typing experience. Therefore, users looking for a more substantial feel should consider the Deep Navy, while those preferring lighter keystrokes may gravitate toward the WS Dash despite its higher bottoming out force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch, the HMX Deep Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the WS Dash has a slightly shorter distance of 3.5 mm. Though the difference is minimal, the Deep Navy offers a more pronounced feel due to its longer travel distance, which may be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial keypress. On the other hand, the WS Dash's shorter travel distance caters to the gaming community, providing quicker response times that can enhance performance. Ultimately, those who favor a faster actuation might gravitate towards the WS Dash, while those who appreciate deeper keystrokes may opt for the HMX Deep Navy.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch is characterized by a rich and sharp sound profile, which delivers a satisfying audio experience with each keystroke. The full nylon construction contributes to this uniquely resonant quality, producing a deep yet refined sound that enhances typing enjoyment. Conversely, the WS Dash hall effect switch offers a bright and clacky sound signature, which creates a different auditory experience. Together, these switches present distinct sound profiles; while the Deep Navy emphasizes depth, the WS Dash leans into a more percussive quality, allowing users to choose based on their preferred auditory feedback during use. It's important to remember that the overall sound can be influenced by factors like the choice of keyboard and keycap material.

When it comes to feel, the Deep Navy switch excels with its silky smooth keystrokes, which are further enhanced by the unique Ly stem design. This results in a seamless and consistent typing experience, making it particularly appealing for long typing sessions or gaming. The WS Dash switch, while also delivering a silky smooth keystroke, offers an engaging tactile experience due to its hall effect technology. This technology often provides a slightly different sensation on actuation compared to traditional switches, which can make for an interesting and dynamic typing feel. Both switches thus offer a premium typing experience, but the individual tactile feedback may appeal to different user preferences.

In conclusion, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch each bring their own unique characteristics to the table. The Deep Navy offers a rich, sharp sound and silky smooth feel, perfect for users looking for a refined auditory and tactile experience. On the other hand, the WS Dash provides a bright and clacky sound while maintaining a smooth keystroke, presenting a lively alternative. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences in sound and feel, though both promise an enjoyable typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, the choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch largely comes down to your personal preferences for sound, feel, and the type of feedback you enjoy while typing or gaming. If you prefer a lighter keystroke with a bottom-out force of 45 grams and a rich, sharp sound profile, the Deep Navy is your best bet, especially if you're after a silky smooth typing experience with a more muted sound that won't disturb your environment. Its full nylon construction also adds to its durability, making it suitable for long typing sessions or intense gaming. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a slightly heavier keystroke with a 55-gram bottom-out force and enjoy a bright, clacky sound signature, the WS Dash will likely appeal to you. The refined sound and smooth keystroke of the WS Dash paired with its elegant design might be perfect for those looking to add a touch of sophistication to their keyboard without sacrificing performance. Ultimately, consider whether you prioritize a lighter touch and subtle sound versus a bit more heft and a vibrant acoustic experience to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard journey.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Wuque Studio WS Dash Hall Effect

$7.49 per 10

Learn more