HMX Jammy vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Jammy and the TTC Silent Brown offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The HMX Jammy is a linear switch known for its softer nylon housings and medium-weight, providing a muted but deeply satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown is a tactile switch that offers a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, along with a muted sound profile. While the Jammy offers a smooth and consistent typing feel, the Silent Brown provides a more tactile feedback with a muted sound. 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
57g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
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
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of HMX Jammy and TTC Silent Brown switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different properties. The Jammy's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Silent Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer plastic composition. This contrast in sound characteristics makes the switches suitable for different preferences, with the Jammy offering a rounder sound and the Silent Brown delivering a clearer and more resonant sound.
While the top housings of the HMX Jammy and TTC Silent Brown switches differ in material with nylon and polycarbonate respectively, their bottom housings share the same nylon composition. This commonality results in both switches eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, users can expect a similar duller and rounder sound quality from both the Jammy and Silent Brown switches, showcasing how housing material plays a crucial role in determining the overall sound profile of mechanical keyboards.
The impact of housing material on the sound and feel of a switch is crucial, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. The contrasting properties of nylon and polycarbonate in the top housing of the HMX Jammy and TTC Silent Brown switches result in distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. However, the shared nylon composition in the bottom housing ensures a consistent deep and full sound experience across both switches, highlighting how material choice can impact the overall typing experience.
Weight
The HMX Jammy linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch both fall within the medium to medium-heavy range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Jammy requires a slightly higher actuation force of 57 grams compared to the Silent Brown's 45 grams. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 63 grams. This means that while the Jammy may feel slightly heavier to trigger a keystroke initially, users will ultimately experience a similar resistance when fully pressing the key down on either switch. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Silent Brown for longer typing sessions, while others may appreciate the heavier push feel of the Jammy for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference regarding actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm. Even though the Jammy has a slightly shorter travel distance than the Silent Brown, the difference of 0.1 mm is minimal and may not be noticeable to most users. For those who prefer a faster response time, the Jammy might be the better option due to its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth and feedback, the Silent Brown's slightly longer travel distance could be more appealing. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively similar travel distance, so you can expect comparable results in terms of key press feel and performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
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 HMX Jammy linear switch is known for its muted and deeply satisfying typing experience, while the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch offers a muted sound profile that minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches provide a quieter typing experience compared to regular switches, making them suitable for environments where noise may be an issue.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Jammy linear switch offers a typing experience that is described as softer and deeply satisfying, but specific descriptors for the feel are not provided. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is known for its buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. The buttery and polished qualities of the Silent Brown switch indicate a smooth and fluid keystroke with reduced friction, providing a seamless and refined typing sensation.
Overall, while the HMX Jammy linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch may have different sound and feel characteristics, both switches promise a satisfying typing experience with muted sound profiles. The Jammy switch offers a softer typing experience, while the Silent Brown switch provides a buttery and polished feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, both switches can offer a pleasant and comfortable typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HMX Jammy linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, consider the following guidelines based on your preferences. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a typing experience that's muted and deeply satisfying, the Jammy switch with its softer nylon housing may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and value a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, the Silent Brown switch may be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a quieter sound profile, the Silent Brown switch's muted characteristics are worth considering. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific typing experience and sound profile that best align with your preferences.
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