Bsun Jade Rosales vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Durock Mamba present two appealing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear typing experience. The Jade Rosales switches, developed over a year by XY Studio, are celebrated for their meticulously crafted custom housings and stems, resulting in an exceptionally smooth feel that many typists crave. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba switches pay homage to the late Kobe Bryant, striking a balance with their gliding typing sensation and rich, creamy auditory feedback that creates a more immersive experience. While the Jade Rosales leans towards a clean and refined typing performance, the Mamba embraces a slightly thocky and polished character that many users may find satisfying. Both switches offer unique qualities that can cater to varying preferences in tactile feedback and sound, but let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Durock Mamba switches illustrate a notable contrast in both their composition and the resulting sound profiles they produce. The Jade Rosales features a polycarbonate top housing, recognized for its ability to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffness allows for more clarity and resonance, making it particularly favorable for RGB lighting applications due to its translucency. In comparison, the Mamba’s top housing is crafted from a unique polymer blend of nylon and UHMWPE, which produces a sound profile that is generally brighter but not as sharp. This difference in materials results in distinct acoustic characteristics; while the Jade Rosales may produce a more acute sound, the Mamba leans towards a more pleasant and rounded auditory experience.
When examining the bottom housings of the two switches, further distinctions become apparent. The Jade Rosales employs a proprietary “Custom Milky Material” bottom housing, which contributes a unique sound experience. In contrast, the Mamba utilizes a POM (polyoxymethylene) bottom housing, known for generating a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both materials lead to different auditory outputs, they each offer their own merits: the Custom Milky Material accentuates certain tones that can enrich the overall sound experience, while the POM housing emphasizes a more balanced, lower-frequency response. The separation of sound characteristics between the bottom and top housings in each switch suggests that despite their differences, either switch can yield a satisfactory performance based on user preference.
Despite the contrasting materials in both the top and bottom housings of the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Durock Mamba, the resulting sound experiences can be aligned to meet user expectations. For those who seek a cleaner and more resonant sound, the polycarbonate top housing of the Jade Rosales, paired with its proprietary bottom housing, may offer a more vivid audio experience. Conversely, the Mamba's combination of nylon and UHMWPE for the top and POM for the bottom delivers a sound that balances clarity with warmth. Thus, while the switches utilize different materials that influence their sound profiles, users can still achieve excellent auditory responses tailored to their preference, whether they desire brightness or a deeper resonance.
Weight
The Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch present a contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces, which significantly influences user experience. The Jade Rosales has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Mamba switch features an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium category. This indicates a heavier overall feel when fully pressed down. Therefore, while the Jade Rosales is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, making it more suitable for those who prefer a less strenuous typing experience, the Mamba, with its heavier bottom out force, may appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing feedback. Overall, the differences suggest that users might opt for the Jade Rosales for comfort and speed, while those who favor a heavier touch may lean towards the Mamba.
Travel distance
The travel distance of both the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch is 3.5 mm, indicating that they have identical travel characteristics. This means that users will experience the same key press depth when using either switch, resulting in a similar feel during typing and gaming. Since both switches have the same travel distance, they will provide comparable tactile feedback and actuation, making either choice suitable for those seeking consistency in key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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
When it comes to sound, the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch lacks specific descriptors; however, the Durock Mamba linear switch is characterized by its neutral and thocky sound profile. The neutral aspect means it strikes a balance that appeals to a wide audience, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced typists alike. The thocky quality delivers a deep and satisfying auditory feedback reminiscent of a soft thud, which can enhance the overall typing experience. While the Jade Rosales may not have explicit sound qualities available, it is likely that the precision in its design could still yield a pleasant sound profile when paired with the right keycaps and board.
In terms of feel, the Jade Rosales once again does not have defined characteristics listed, whereas the Durock Mamba switch presents a mild and polished typing experience. The mild description indicates that the Mamba offers a gentle touch that's friendly for all kinds of users, making it approachable for extended typing sessions. Furthermore, the polished finish suggests that users can expect a remarkably smooth key travel, attributed to thoughtful manufacturing processes like factory lubrication. While the specifics of the Jade Rosales' feel are unknown, its emphasis on smoothness implies it could offer a similarly refined sensation, especially when crafted with care.
In summary, while the Bsun Jade Rosales and Durock Mamba linear switches differ in the specificity of their descriptors, both appear to cater to users seeking a smooth and pleasant typing experience. The Mamba stands out with its defined sound and feel characteristics, enhancing its appeal for those who prioritize auditory feedback and tactile refinement. The Jade Rosales may also provide a satisfactory experience, particularly in terms of smoothness, even if we lack precise details. Ultimately, if you're exploring linear switches, both options could lead to a satisfying typing experience, albeit with potentially different auditory and tactile nuances.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch largely depends on your individual preferences and typing needs. If you're looking for a smoother, more refined typing experience with a light bottom-out force of 53 grams, the Jade Rosales switches are an excellent option. Their meticulous design and custom refinements make them suitable for extensive typing sessions where comfort is key. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer feel with a 60-gram bottom-out force and a satisfying thocky sound profile, the Mamba switches will likely appeal to you. These switches offer a balanced typing experience with both mild and polished characteristics, making them ideal for mixed environments, whether at home or in the office. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound or smoothness and ease of actuation. Consider trying both types to see which aligns better with your typing style before making a final decision.
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