Dareu Holly vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up for comparison are the Dareu Holly and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches. The Dareu Holly switch stands out for its medium 50g actuation force and unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing users with a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches offer a medium tactile feel with a satisfying level of resistance, ensuring a precise and comfortable typing experience. What sets these switches apart is the Silent Bluish Whites' quiet nature, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. While both switches have their own strengths, such as the Holly's unique sound profile and the Silent Bluish Whites' quiet operation, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific 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
50g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the Dareu Holly and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2), both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in both switches leads to a more resonant sound due to its relatively stiffer nature. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboards. This shared housing material ensures that users can expect similar sound qualities and aesthetics from both switches when it comes to the top housing.
However, a noticeable difference between the two switches lies in their bottom housing material. The Holly utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Silent Bluish White (V2). Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. This difference in bottom housing material may impact the overall sound experience for users, with the Holly offering a deeper typing sound compared to the Silent Bluish White (V2).
When considering the impact of different housing materials on the overall typing experience, it's important to note that the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Dareu Holly offers a unique typing experience with a sharper top-out sound and a deeper bottom-out sound. In contrast, the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) with its polycarbonate top and bottom housing may provide a more consistent overall sound profile throughout the keystroke.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switch with an actuation force of 42 grams. This means that the Holly switch requires more force to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Holly switch does not provide information, while the Silent Bluish White (V2) switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter switch compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Holly switch. The difference in actuation force might result in a slightly different typing experience for users, with the Holly switch offering a firmer keystroke feel compared to the lighter touch of the Silent Bluish White (V2) switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Holly's 4 mm travel distance is considered to be on the more traditional side, offering a good balance of depth without being too shallow. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White (V2) with its 3.5 mm travel distance is more on the shallow side, which can appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference - if you prefer a more responsive feel, the TTC Silent Bluish White may be the better choice, but if you prefer a deeper press, the Dareu Holly may be more suitable for you. Both switches offer a decent travel distance, so you can expect similar results in terms of typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
The TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
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 Holly switch is known for its unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing a distinctive typing experience that stands out from other switches. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switch is designed to produce a muted sound, offering a quieter typing experience that is ideal for environments where noise may be a concern. Both switches offer different sound profiles that cater to users with specific preferences, with the Holly switch being more lively and the Silent Bluish White (V2) switch being more subdued.
When it comes to feel, the Holly switch does not have specific descriptors available. In contrast, the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switch is described as having a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel. This indicates that the Silent Bluish White (V2) switch provides a smooth, gentle, multi-stage tactile sensation with a refined finish for a comfortable typing experience. The absence of feel descriptors for the Holly switch suggests that it may offer a more straightforward tactile feel without some of the nuances provided by the Silent Bluish White (V2) switch.
Considering all available information, it's evident that the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) tactile switch offer distinct qualities in both sound and feel. The Holly switch provides a lively typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound elements, while the Silent Bluish White (V2) switch delivers a quieter typing experience with a buttery, gentle tactile feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these two switches to achieve their desired typing experience. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different user preferences, ensuring that each user can find a switch that best suits their typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a unique sound signature with a mix of chirpy and clacky elements and a medium actuation force, the Dareu Holly tactile switch would be your ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet typing experience with a medium tactile feel and light bottom out force, the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) tactile switch is the way to go. Depending on whether you value sound profile or typing comfort more, you can select the switch that aligns best with your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct advantages and cater to different typing styles, so make your decision based on what factors are most important to you.
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