Dareu Holly vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and Jwick Splash Brothers offer unique experiences to users. The Dareu Holly is a tactile switch known for its medium 50g actuation force and a sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers are linear switches that boast a shorter activation and long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel and a creamy sound signature. While the Holly switch is categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', and 'Neutral', the Splash Brothers are labeled as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. Each switch offers its own set of characteristics that appeal to different preferences, making them suitable for various typing 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and Jwick Splash Brothers both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is especially useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for light to shine through. In terms of sound, both switches will produce a clear and resonant tone with the polycarbonate top housing. This similarity ensures that users can expect a consistent sound experience regardless of which switch they choose.
On the other hand, the Holly and Splash Brothers differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Holly utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. In comparison, the Splash Brothers also feature a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a duller and rounder sound. Despite the difference in top housing materials, both switches maintain a consistent feel and sound quality thanks to their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing.
When considering how the top and bottom housing materials impact the overall typing experience, it is important to note that the qualities of each material will be distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, while the top housing influences the sound as keys are released. As such, users can expect a well-rounded tactile experience with both the Dareu Holly and Jwick Splash Brothers, with each housing material contributing to a unique and enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is evident that they have different characteristics in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Holly has an actuation force of 50 grams, providing a tactile feedback sensation upon keypress, while the Splash Brothers has an unknown actuation force, making it unclear how much force is needed to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers has a bottom out force of 48 grams, indicating a lighter force required to fully press down the key compared to the Holly, which has an unknown bottom out force. The Holly offers a more defined tactile experience with a slightly heavier actuation force, making it ideal for users who prefer a more substantial typing feedback. In contrast, the Splash Brothers provides a lighter bottom out force, which may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Holly offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers' shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Holly being slightly longer than average and the Splash Brothers slightly shorter. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
The Dareu Holly tactile switch is known for its distinctive sound profile, combining chirpy and clacky elements, offering a balanced and unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch provides a creamy sound signature, creating a different typing atmosphere. While the Holly switch offers a chirpy and clacky sound, the Splash Brothers provide a neutral sound that is pleasant and versatile. Both switches offer a satisfying auditory experience, catering to different preferences in typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the information provided for the Holly switch is unknown, but for the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, users can expect a mild typing experience with a touch of snappiness and bounce. These characteristics create a responsive and lively typing feel, making the keys feel dynamic and enjoyable to use. The Splash Brothers switch also boasts a subtle and polished feel, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience that reduces friction and enhances key travel. Overall, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offers a comfortable and responsive typing feel that can enhance typing speed and accuracy.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Holly switch delivers a distinct sound profile with chirpy and clacky elements, while the Splash Brothers switch provides a creamy sound signature. In terms of feel, the Splash Brothers switch offers a mild and polished experience with a touch of snappiness and bounce. Both switches cater to users seeking a high-quality typing experience, making them suitable options for individuals looking to enhance their mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference for sound and feel, as both options offer quality and performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a distinctive sound profile that combines chirpy and clacky elements, as well as a medium 50g actuation force, the Holly switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a creamy sound signature and a lighter 48g bottom out force, along with the snappy and subtle feel provided by the Splash Brothers linear switch, then that would be the switch to go for. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your typing preferences and the overall experience you seek from your mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
