Dareu Dream vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between the Dareu Dream, a linear switch, and the Cherry MX Brown, a tactile switch. The Dareu Dream stands out for its light linear action and budget-friendly price, making it an attractive option for those who value both quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown is praised for its subtle tactility and relatively light typing experience, offering a gentle touch and subdued audio feedback. While both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences, diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you determine which one is the best fit for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the Cherry MX Brown, we find that both switches use nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This means that the bottom-out sound and feel of these switches will be similar. However, the Dream utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when combined with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the MX Brown features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound when compared to polycarbonate.
In terms of sound characteristics, the top and bottom housings play a significant role in determining the overall sound profile of a switch. The Dream's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound when pressing down on the key, while the nylon bottom housing adds depth and fullness to the sound when bottoming out. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown's nylon top and bottom housings work together to produce a deeper and fuller sound overall. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile for the MX Brown compared to the Dream.
Overall, the choice of housing material in a switch can greatly impact the sound and feel of typing. While both the Dareu Dream and Cherry MX Brown use nylon for their bottom housing, the use of polycarbonate in the Dream's top housing creates a distinctive sharp and high-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the MX Brown's nylon top housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound profile. Depending on personal preference for sound and typing experience, users may prefer one switch over the other based on the housing materials used.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch to the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, we can see that the Dream has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the MX Brown's 45 grams. This means that the Dream switch will require less force to register a keystroke, which can be beneficial for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. However, the Cherry MX Brown has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. If the bottom out force for the Dream switch is unknown, it's likely that it falls within a similar range as the actuation force, resulting in a similar overall feel to the Cherry MX Brown. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when pressing down on both keys, users will experience a similar amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. This feature provides consistent feedback and a satisfying typing experience for both switches. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their equal travel distances, making them suitable choices for users looking for a smooth and tactile typing experience.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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 often described as having a clacky sound, producing a sharp and snappy noise when pressed. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. While the Dream switch provides a more crisp and percussive sound, the MX Brown switch delivers a more mellow and bass-heavy auditory experience, catering to different preferences in sound.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is often described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture for a more tactile feel, while others may prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience offered by other switches.
Overall, the Dareu Dream linear switch and Cherry MX Brown tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dream switch provides a clacky sound and light actuation force for an easy typing experience, while the MX Brown switch offers a bassy sound profile and a textured feel for those who prefer a bit more tactile feedback. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience that meets the needs of different users.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Dream linear switch or the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, you should keep a few key factors in mind. If you are looking for a very light linear switch at an attractive price point, the Dareu Dream may be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer easy-to-press keys with a minimal bottom out force, making typing effortless and comfortable. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown may be more suited to your needs. With a medium-light bottom out force and a subtle tactile bump, these switches offer a smooth typing experience with gentle feedback. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for key feel, sound profile, and budget. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and preferences to enhance your overall typing experience.
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