Dareu Dream vs. HMX Jammy
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the HMX Jammy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Dream and the HMX Jammy mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear options but offer unique features to cater to different preferences. The Dareu Dream is praised for its light linear feel and attractive price point, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts looking for a balance between quality and affordability. On the other hand, the HMX Jammy stands out with its medium-weight switches housed in glittery nylon, providing a typing experience that is both muted and satisfying. While the Dareu Dream may appeal to those who prefer easy-to-press and clacky switches, the HMX Jammy caters to users seeking a more subtle typing experience. 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
57g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the HMX Jammy, it is clear that they both utilize nylon as the material for their bottom housing. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's ability to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. However, the Dream uses polycarbonate for its top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Jammy also utilizes nylon for its top housing, delivering a similar deep and full sound profile as its bottom housing.
The choice of housing materials for the Dareu Dream and the HMX Jammy plays a significant role in the overall sound produced by the switches. The Dream's polycarbonate top housing provides a clear and resonant sound profile, ideal for those who prefer a sharper sound. In comparison, the Jammy's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, offering a more mellow typing experience. Both switches' nylon bottom housings contribute to absorbing sound and creating a rounder overall sound profile, enhancing the typing experience for users who appreciate a softer sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the Dareu Dream's polycarbonate top housing allows for translucent qualities, making it suitable for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the HMX Jammy's nylon top housing may not offer the same level of translucency, but both switches share a classic design that emphasizes functionality over flashiness. Despite their differences in housing materials, the Dareu Dream and the HMX Jammy ultimately deliver similar results in terms of typing experience, with each offering a unique sound profile suited to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Dream and HMX Jammy linear switches, it is evident that the Dream has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Jammy's heavier 57 grams. The bottom out force of the Dream is unknown, while the Jammy has a medium bottom out force of 63 grams. This means that the Dream would provide a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Jammy offers a heavier push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer that feedback. Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, the Dream would offer a lighter typing experience, while the Jammy would provide a heavier and more substantial feel.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Jammy linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. In terms of comparison, the Dream offers a slightly longer travel distance than the Jammy. The Dream's 4.0mm travel distance is closer to the traditional standard, while the Jammy's 3.7mm is shallower and may be preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a switch with a bit more depth, the Dareu Dream may be the better option. On the other hand, if you prioritize quick responsiveness, the HMX Jammy could be the ideal choice for you. Both switches offer their own advantages, but the difference in travel distance may influence your decision based on your specific needs and preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Dream linear switch is known for its clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory feedback when pressed. On the other hand, the HMX Jammy linear switch's sound qualities are not specified. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering minimal resistance during key presses for a smooth typing experience. Additionally, the Dream switch falls under the category of mild switches, providing a gentle typing feel that is comfortable and accessible to most users. Conversely, details about the tactile feel of the HMX Jammy linear switch are not provided.
Overall, both the Dareu Dream and HMX Jammy linear switches offer unique subjective qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Dream switch is lauded for its lightness and affordability, the Jammy switch boasts a more muted and satisfying typing experience. If the specific sound and feel qualities of the Jammy switch are not disclosed, it is safe to assume that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel to the Dream switch, as they both fall under the linear switch category. Ultimately, it is recommended for newcomers to try out both switches personally to determine which one aligns best with their typing preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the HMX Jammy linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a light and budget-friendly option that offers easy-to-press key presses with a gentle typing experience, the Dareu Dream switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-weight switch with a satisfyingly muted typing experience, the HMX Jammy switch with its glittery nylon housings could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and budget, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
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