Bsun Kiki Red vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that cater to different preferences in typing experience. The Kiki Red is a linear switch that offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance without being excessively loud. It features all-POM housings for a unique sound signature and smooth actuation with its Ly stems. The medium-light weighting of the Kiki Red provides a subtle auditory feedback and finesse in performance, making it a preferred choice for enthusiasts who appreciate these qualities. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch with medium tactility and a fairly light touch, offering a balanced typing experience with a neutral sound signature. Positioned as the "Goldilocks" tactile option, the Violet Gold Pro is ideal for those seeking a middle ground in tactile feedback. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Kiki Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Kiki Red features POM top and bottom housings, which create a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This difference in housing materials can significantly impact the typing experience, with the Kiki Red offering a more subdued sound compared to the more vibrant sound of the Violet Gold Pro.
While the Kiki Red and the Violet Gold Pro have distinct housing materials for their top and bottom housings, they both aim to enhance the sound profile of the switches. The polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro is known for producing a clear and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting for a visually appealing typing experience. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Dareu switch creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. Both housing materials offer unique advantages in terms of sound quality, catering to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The POM top and bottom housings of the Kiki Red provide a deep and muted sound, ideal for users who prefer a softer typing experience. In contrast, the polycarbonate and nylon housings of the Violet Gold Pro offer a sharper and crisper sound, appealing to those seeking a more vibrant and resonant typing experience. Whether you prefer a deeper or sharper sound profile, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, we can see that the Kiki Red is lighter in both aspects. The Kiki Red has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a relatively light switch. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Kiki Red would be the better choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Violet Gold Pro may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Bsun Kiki Red. The difference may not be significant, but it could be noticeable for users who are sensitive to these variations. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference whether you prefer a slightly shorter or longer travel distance when choosing between the two switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 Kiki Red linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, which provides a sharp and snappy auditory feedback that is both crisp and bright. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for a variety of typing environments due to its moderate actuation force and sound profile. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, so the choice between them would depend on the user's sound preference and typing environment.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Kiki Red switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press typing experience. This means that users can expect a smooth and buttery sensation while typing, with minimal resistance and effort required to press the keys. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is described as stepped, offering a two-stage tactile feedback that is more mild compared to hyper-tactile switches. This provides a different typing experience that some users may prefer over the more traditional linear feel of the Kiki Red switch.
Overall, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Kiki Red provides a clacky sound and a smooth typing experience with various tactile options, the Violet Gold Pro offers a neutral sound and a stepped tactile feel. Depending on whether the user values a specific sound profile or typing feel, they can select the switch that best suits their preferences. And due to the differences in their qualities, users can expect to achieve different typing experiences with each switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you appreciate a finely-tuned typing experience with medium-light weighting, subtle auditory feedback, and exceptional smoothness during actuation, the Kiki Red switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a balanced tactile option with medium tactility, a light touch, and a neutral sound signature, the Violet Gold Pro switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you value most.
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