Bsun Guyu vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Bsun Guyu and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Guyu linear switch to the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, notable differences in auditory and tactile experiences become apparent. The Bsun Guyu is renowned for its unique acoustics, with all-POM housings and a long pole stem creating a bright, crisp bottom-out sound. Its medium weight and high-grade UPE stem result in smooth keystrokes, offering effortless typing sessions with resonant feedback. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown is characterized by subtlety, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While the Guyu offers a clacky, creamy, and polished feel, the MX Brown presents a textured, bassy, and low-pitched sensation. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback; 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
One key difference between the housing materials of the Bsun Guyu and the Cherry MX Brown is the material used for the top housing. The Guyu uses POM for its top housing, creating a unique and pleasing sound profile that is deeper and more muted. In contrast, the MX Brown utilizes nylon for its top housing, resulting in a fuller and deeper sound profile. While both materials absorb sound, the softer nature of nylon gives it a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM.
On the other hand, both the Guyu and the MX Brown feature a bottom housing made of the same material: POM for the Guyu and nylon for the MX Brown. This shared material contributes to a similar experience in terms of sound profile, with both housings creating a deeper and more muted sound. The impact of the bottom housing on the overall sound and feel of the switch is notable, as it affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the key. The difference in materials for the top housing means that the release sound will vary between the Guyu and the MX Brown.
Overall, the choice of housing material for a mechanical switch can significantly impact the sound and feel of typing. While both the Bsun Guyu and the Cherry MX Brown offer unique characteristics, such as deeper and fuller sound profiles, the materials used for the top and bottom housings differentiate the two switches. The POM top and bottom housing of the Guyu create a more unique and pleasing sound, while the nylon top and bottom housing of the MX Brown result in a fuller and rounder sound. Understanding how different materials affect the typing experience can help users choose a switch that best suits their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, it is evident that they both have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Guyu has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the MX Brown's 55 grams, making the MX Brown slightly heavier in this aspect. The actuation force of both switches being the same means that users can expect similar results when triggering a keystroke. Weight is a crucial factor to consider when choosing between these switches, as a lighter actuation force allows for longer typing sessions and extended gaming periods, while a heavier bottom out force provides a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirement.
Travel distance
The Bsun Guyu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Cherry MX Brown switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Bsun Guyu switch. The 0.4 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the feel and response of the switch. Players who prefer faster response times may opt for the shorter travel distance of the Bsun Guyu switch, while those who enjoy a deeper press may prefer the Cherry MX Brown switch. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference in terms of travel distance and the feel desired during typing or gaming activities.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Guyu has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Guyu for $3.70.
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 Bsun Guyu linear switch offers a clacky experience, characterized by a sharp and snappy sound during key presses, creating a crisp and bright feedback that adds a percussive element to typing. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone with a mellow quality. The Guyu's acoustics are enhanced by its POM housing and long pole stem, while the MX Brown's subtlety allows for a quieter typing experience overall.
Moving on to feel, the Bsun Guyu switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, polished, and silky typing sensations, creating a smooth and effortless keystroke experience. The switch's UPE stem contributes to its super-smooth strokes, offering a glide-like feel with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switch is described as textured, potentially providing a tactile feedback that some users may prefer for a more pronounced keypress sensation.
Taking all the available information into account, the Bsun Guyu linear switch stands out for its unique auditory experience and smooth keystrokes, ideal for users looking for a clacky sound and frictionless typing feel. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch offers a subtler sound profile and a textured feel, catering to those who prefer a gentler typing experience with a bit more tactile feedback. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. If you enjoy the qualities described for either switch, you can expect to achieve similar results in your typing setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a keyboard switch that provides a unique auditory experience with a bright, crisp sound and smooth keystrokes, the Bsun Guyu linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. The medium weight and intricate balance of elements in the Guyu switch culminate in a distinctive sound signature that enhances your typing rhythm. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is the way to go. The MX Brown offers a lighter typing experience with a smooth bottom-out feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize sound and smoothness (Guyu) or subtlety and gentle tactility (MX Brown) in your typing experience.
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