Bsun Guyu vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Bsun Guyu and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Guyu and the Cherry MX Silent Red offer unique and distinctive features to enhance your typing experience. The Bsun Guyu switch is renowned for its unparalleled auditory experience, boasting all-POM housings and a long pole stem that create a bright and crisp bottom-out sound. With a medium weight and super-smooth keystrokes, typing on the Guyu switch feels effortless and satisfying. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switch maintains the classic characteristics of the MX Red but with the added benefit of operating silently, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments. While the Guyu switch is described as 'clacky' and 'snappy', the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'muted' and 'thocky'. Both switches offer distinct advantages depending on your preferences and needs. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
The housing materials of the Bsun Guyu and Cherry MX Silent Red switches have some similarities and differences. Both the POM top housing of the Guyu and the nylon top housing of the MX Silent Red create a deeper and more muted sound profile. They both absorb sound effectively due to the nature of their materials, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. However, the Guyu's POM bottom housing also contributes to the switch's sound profile, creating a unique and pleasing sound that is deeper and more muted. In contrast, the MX Silent Red's nylon bottom housing plays a role in creating a deeper and fuller sound profile.
The split between the top and bottom housings in a switch allows for different qualities to be felt and heard when using the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down. In the case of the Guyu switch, the POM bottom housing creates a distinctive sound profile that is deeper and more muted, contributing to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the top housing of a switch, such as the MX Silent Red's nylon top housing, influences the sound that is produced when releasing a key, adding to the overall acoustic qualities of the switch.
Overall, both the Bsun Guyu and Cherry MX Silent Red switches utilize different housing materials for both the top and bottom of the switches, resulting in unique sound profiles and typing experiences. The POM top and bottom housing of the Guyu create an incredibly pleasing sound profile that is deeper and more muted, while the nylon top and bottom housing of the MX Silent Red elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their respective housing materials contributing to the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Weight
The actuation force of the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch are both 45 grams, making them equal in this aspect. However, the bottom out force of the Bsun Guyu is 50 grams, while the Cherry MX Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the Bsun Guyu is lighter overall than the Cherry MX Silent Red due to its lower bottom out force. The actuation force is important for determining how sensitive the switch is to keystrokes, while the bottom out force indicates the amount of force needed to fully depress the key. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Bsun Guyu for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the potentially heavier feel of the Cherry MX Silent Red for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch are very similar, with the Guyu having a travel distance of 3.6 mm and the MX Silent Red having a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular among gamers for their faster response times. Choosing between the two may come down to personal preference - if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for increased responsiveness, the Bsun Guyu may be the better option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a bit more depth in your keystrokes, the Cherry MX Silent Red's slightly longer travel distance may be more appealing. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, so both should provide a satisfying typing or gaming experience.
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 Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 distinctive clacky experience with a sharp and snappy sound characterized by its crisp and bright nature. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch provides a more muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile that significantly reduces the noise associated with mechanical keyboards, making it ideal for quieter environments. The Bsun Guyu switch delivers a more pronounced and resonant typing rhythm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red switch focuses on minimizing noise while maintaining a satisfying typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences in keyboard noise levels.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Guyu switch offers a creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, and snappy typing experience, characterized by its smooth and buttery keystrokes that glide effortlessly with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as having a textured feel, indicating noticeable friction when pressed. The Bsun Guyu switch emphasizes a smooth and refined typing experience, while the Cherry MX Silent Red switch provides a different tactile sensation that may appeal to those who prefer a bit of texture in their keystrokes. Both switches offer distinct feels that cater to varying preferences in typing feedback.
Overall, the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch offer contrasting yet equally appealing qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bsun Guyu switch delivers a clacky sound and a creamy, frictionless feel, providing a unique auditory and tactile experience for users who enjoy a brighter sound and smooth keystrokes. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch offers a muted sound profile and a textured feel, focusing on minimizing noise while still providing a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper, clacky sound with a smooth feel, or a quieter, thocky sound with a textured feel, both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Bsun Guyu and Cherry MX Silent Red switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering the Bsun Guyu linear switch versus the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, your choice ultimately comes down to your preference for sound and feel. If you're looking for a unique auditory experience with a bright, crisp bottom-out sound, the Guyu switch is the way to go. It offers a medium weight and smooth keystrokes for an effortless typing experience with resonant feedback. On the other hand, if you value a quieter typing environment, the MX Silent Red switch is your best bet. It maintains the satisfying typing experience of MX Red but operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Consider whether you prefer a clacky, creamy feel or a muted, textured feel when making your decision. The Guyu provides a creamy, frictionless typing experience, while the MX Silent Red offers a muted, textured feel. Ultimately, your choice should align with your preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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