Durock Ice King Linear vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the TTC Silent Brown both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear is known for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube, providing a frictionless and polished feel while typing. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown offers a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, along with a muted sound profile. In general, if you prefer a linear switch with a smooth and subdued feel, the Ice King Linear may be the way to go. Alternatively, if you enjoy a tactile switch with a buttery and rounded feel, the TTC Silent Brown could be the better choice. 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
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the TTC Silent Brown, it is evident that they both utilize nylon as the material for the bottom housing. This means that typing on both switches will result in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches creates a duller and rounder sound overall, providing a satisfying typing experience for users who prefer a quieter switch.
However, when it comes to the top housing, the Ice King Linear features a nylon material while the Silent Brown utilizes polycarbonate. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its bottom housing. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Brown creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. This difference in top housing material can significantly impact the sound experience for users, with the Ice King Linear offering a more muffled typing sound compared to the clearer and more resonant sound of the Silent Brown.
Overall, while both switches feature nylon bottom housings that provide a similar sound profile, the differing top housing materials of nylon and polycarbonate lead to distinct sound experiences. The split in housing materials between the top and bottom of the switches allows users to feel the impact of each material when pressing down on the switch and releasing a key. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear caters to those who prefer a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Brown appeals to users seeking a sharper and crisper sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in sound and typing feel.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch differ slightly in weight. The Ice King Linear has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Silent Brown's 45 grams, making the Ice King Linear slightly heavier to press down initially. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Ice King Linear requires 62 grams of force, whereas the Silent Brown needs 63.5 grams, making the Silent Brown slightly heavier to fully press down. Overall, the Ice King Linear can be seen as a lighter switch in terms of actuation force, while the Silent Brown is slightly heavier, particularly at the bottom out stage. This means that users looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Ice King Linear, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Silent Brown. Ultimately, both switches offer medium to medium-heavy forces, providing a satisfying typing experience for different preferences.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Silent Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ice King Linear. The Ice King Linear may provide a slightly quicker response due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Silent Brown may offer a more pronounced and satisfying keystroke for those who prefer a deeper travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for responsiveness versus depth in key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Linear has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Linear for $4.20.
The TTC Silent Brown 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 Brown for $5.00.
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 Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued sound profile, providing a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is described as having a muted sound profile, offering a softer and quieter typing experience. Both switches aim to minimize the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards, providing a more enjoyable and less disruptive typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is praised for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate an exceptionally smooth and effortless keystroke, with minimized resistance and friction when pressing the keys. Similarly, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience, providing a smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction. Both switches prioritize a comfortable and uniform typing sensation for the users.
Taking all the available information into consideration, both the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch offer high-quality typing experiences with their unique sound and feel characteristics. While the Ice King Linear switch leans towards a smoother and more refined sound profile, the Silent Brown switch provides a softer and gentler typing sound. In terms of feel, both switches prioritize a buttery and polished typing experience, ensuring a comfortable and effortless keystroke. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, either switch would be a great choice for newcomers looking for a premium mechanical keyboard switch option.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you value a silky smooth and frictionless typing feel with a subdued sound profile, then the Ice King Linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a muted sound profile, the TTC Silent Brown switch might be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the type of typing experience you prefer, whether it be buttery and polished or silky and muted. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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