Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Akko Rosewood

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference plays a crucial role, and two compelling options are the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Akko Rosewood. The Jupiter Brown switches offer a tactile experience that marries tradition with innovation; their single-stage spring design provides a medium-heavy keystroke feel that many typists appreciate for both comfort and feedback. With their high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, these switches not only perform reliably but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your keyboard. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood switches deliver a completely different experience, favoring smoothness and consistency with their linear design. Renowned for producing a deep, satisfying thocky sound out of the box, thanks to a layer of factory-applied lubricant, these switches offer a more subdued and fluid typing experience that many gamers and casual users prefer. While both switches have their unique strengths, choosing between tactile feedback and smooth operation ultimately depends on individual typing habits and aesthetic desires. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

Akko Rosewood Linear

$2.80 per 10

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Akko Rosewood switches, notable differences arise that influence their overall sound profiles. The Jupiter Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucency, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound when a key is released. This material is particularly advantageous for setups with RGB lighting due to its clear nature, allowing light to shine through effectively and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switch. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood employs a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and more full-bodied sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a more muted and rounded auditory experience.

Both switches, however, share similarities in their bottom housing material, with both the Jupiter Brown and Rosewood utilizing nylon. This commonality ensures that the typing experience carries a consistent quality across both models, as the nylon bottom contributes to a deeper and fuller sound signature. Given that the bottom housing significantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel, users can expect a similarity in how both switches perform when a key is pressed down. This shared bottom housing material underscores a key characteristic of both models, ensuring a consistent tactile response while enhancing the overall auditory feedback during use.

The divergence in top housing materials between the Jupiter Brown and Rosewood highlights how the unique properties of each influence user experience. While the polycarbonate top of the Jupiter Brown emphasizes brightness and clarity, ideal for users seeking an energetic typing experience, the nylon top of the Rosewood caters to those who prefer a warmer and more subdued sound. Together with their identical nylon bottoms, these materials create distinct sound profiles, allowing users to find a switch that aligns with their personal preferences. While both switches provide a satisfying feel, the choice between them ultimately comes down to whether one favors a sharp or a rounded auditory experience during typing.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Jupiter Brown has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it appealing for those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the Rosewood switch features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, which can be advantageous for users wanting less resistance during extended typing or gaming sessions. Consequently, the Jupiter Brown requires more force to activate its keystrokes and bottom out, catering to those who appreciate a firmer touch, while the Rosewood is designed for a lighter and more effortless typing experience. Therefore, if ergonomics and prolonged use are your priorities, the Akko Rosewood would likely be the better choice, whereas the Gateron Jupiter Brown would suit those who enjoy a more pronounced key feel.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch both feature a travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that they will provide a similar experience in terms of key press depth. Since both switches have identical travel distances, users can expect comparable feedback and response when typing or gaming. This uniformity means that whether using the Jupiter Brown or the Rosewood, the finger movement required to actuate each key will be the same, allowing for a consistent feel across both types of switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch produces a more subdued acoustic profile that leans towards a gentle thock, making it suitable for both quiet and moderately noisy environments. Its sound is characterized by a balanced tonal quality that does not overwhelm, allowing for comfortable typing without being distracting. The Akko Rosewood switch, on the other hand, distinguishes itself with a deeper, more resonant thock sound that is pronounced and satisfying right from the start. This noticeable auditory feedback is enhanced by the factory-applied lubricant, giving each keystroke a rich and smooth sonic experience. Given the subjective nature of sound perception and the influence of factors like keycaps and board material, both of these switches offer enjoyable acoustic signatures that cater to different preferences.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch provides a mild yet polished tactile experience. It strikes a balance between typical tactile feedback and a smooth keystroke journey, making it approachable for users of varying preferences. The stepped tactile design gives a sense of two stages in the keystroke, allowing typists to enjoy a nuanced feel without being overly pronounced. In contrast, while the specific tactile feedback characteristics of the Akko Rosewood switch are not described, linear switches like the Rosewood typically offer a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke with no tactile bump. This results in a feeling of gliding through each key press, which contrasts with the tactile experience of the Jupiter Brown.

In summary, the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Akko Rosewood switches cater to different types of typing experiences through their unique sound and feel profiles. The Jupiter Brown's mild and polished tactile feedback, coupled with a balanced sound, makes it a versatile choice, while the Rosewood's deep thock and smooth key travel provide a satisfying auditory and tactile experience for those who prefer linear switches. For newcomers, exploring these two options will highlight the diversity within mechanical keyboard switches and allow for a personalized typing experience based on sound preferences and tactile sensations.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switches and the Akko Rosewood linear switches, consider your typing style and preferences. If you enjoy a tactile experience combined with a classic keystroke feel, the Jupiter Brown could be your best option. Its medium-heavy weight and mildly stepped feedback make it particularly suitable for those who like to feel a clear actuation point without excessive resistance. This switch is ideal if you spend long hours typing or gaming, as it offers a pleasing balance of comfort and responsiveness. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and an ultra-smooth, linear feel, the Akko Rosewood is an excellent choice. At a bottom-out force of just 50 grams, it allows for swift, effortless key presses, which can be especially beneficial for rapid play or for those who type lightly. Moreover, the Rosewood's satisfying thocky sound contributes to an immersive typing experience that many users find appealing. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique textures and auditory characteristics, allowing you to tailor your keyboard experience to what feels and sounds best for your needs.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

$2.80 per 10

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Akko Rosewood Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more