Gazzew LT vs. Cherry MX Silent Red

Overview

When it comes to choosing between the Gazzew LT and the Cherry MX Silent Red mechanical keyboard switches, users are presented with distinct options for their typing experience. The Gazzew LT, with its enticing lilac hue, offers a unique auditory symphony of deep, resonant thockiness, making each keystroke a satisfying experience. Known for its seamless glide and categorized as 'Bassy', 'Thocky', and 'Low-pitched', the LT switch is perfect for those who appreciate a tactile and satisfying typing sound. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red provides a similar typing experience to the classic MX Red but with the added benefit of silent operation, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the MX Silent Red offers a slightly heftier feel while maintaining a quieter sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gazzew LT Linear

Cherry MX Silent Red Linear

$6.50 per 10

$6.00

$4.15 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gazzew LT and the Cherry MX Silent Red both feature proprietary housing materials that are designed to enhance sound profiles during typing. The LT's Gazzew blend top and bottom housings are known for delivering a rich and deep sound profile due to their softness, referred to as "boba plastic." Similarly, the MX Silent Red's nylon top and bottom housings also provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softness of the nylon material. Both switches offer a more muted and rounded sound compared to switches with harder plastic housings, creating a more pleasant typing experience for users who prefer a quieter keyboard.

However, despite the similarities in sound profiles between the Gazzew LT and the Cherry MX Silent Red, there are also key differences in their housing materials. The Gazzew LT's Gazzew blend plastic is specifically designed to enhance sound quality, resulting in a unique typing experience that is rich and deep. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red's nylon housing is a classic switch housing material that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. This difference in material composition may result in a slightly different typing experience for users who are more sensitive to sound variations in their keyboards.

In terms of construction, both the Gazzew LT and the Cherry MX Silent Red utilize a combination of top and bottom housing materials to influence the overall typing experience. While the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key. This split in housing materials allows for a balanced sound profile that is both satisfying and enjoyable for users who value a quieter typing experience. Ultimately, whether a user prefers the Gazzew LT or the Cherry MX Silent Red will depend on personal preferences for sound profiles and overall typing feel.

Weight

The Gazzew LT linear switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch in terms of resistance. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a lighter touch when typing. The LT switch does not specify an actuation force, while the MX Silent Red does not specify a bottom out force. Both switches offer different advantages based on weight preference. The lighter actuation force of the MX Silent Red is ideal for those looking for a smoother typing experience, while the heavier bottom out force of the Gazzew LT provides a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and desired force feedback.

Travel distance

In comparing the travel distance of the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that the LT has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the MX Silent Red has a longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. The difference may seem minimal, but it can significantly impact the typing or gaming experience. The LT's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, while the MX Silent Red's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial and tactile feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience, with the LT offering a quicker, snappier response and the MX Silent Red providing a more deliberate and pronounced keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gazzew LT switch is renowned for its bassy and thocky characteristics, providing a deep and rich sound profile during key presses. The low-pitched tones create a satisfying auditory experience that is accentuated by the smooth glide of each keystroke. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch offers a muted and thocky sound, significantly reducing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches share the thocky quality, giving users a pleasant tactile feedback with every keystroke. The difference lies in the deeper and richer sound of the LT versus the quieter and more subtle sound of the MX Silent Red, catering to different preferences for keyboard sound profiles.

In terms of feel, the Gazzew LT switch does not have specific descriptors provided, so it's difficult to directly compare it to the Cherry MX Silent Red. The MX Silent Red is described as textured, offering users a unique tactile experience with noticeable friction when pressed. This texture may appeal to users looking for a bit of resistance in their typing experience, adding a layer of feedback to each keystroke.

In conclusion, the Gazzew LT and Cherry MX Silent Red linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the LT switch provides a deep and rich sound with a smooth keystroke experience, the MX Silent Red switch offers a quieter sound profile with a textured feel for added tactile feedback. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between the immersive auditory experience of the LT switch or the quieter typing sessions provided by the MX Silent Red switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will get similar results in enjoying their mechanical keyboards.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a tactile and satisfying typing experience with a deep, resonant "thock" sound profile, along with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams, then the Gazzew LT switches are likely the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the linear feel of a standard MX Red switch, the Cherry MX Silent Red switches are the way to go. Their silent operation and smooth keystrokes make them ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Ultimately, your decision should align with your preference for either a louder, more tactile typing experience (Gazzew LT) or a quieter, more discreet option (Cherry MX Silent Red).

Mentioned in this article

Gazzew LT Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Cherry MX Silent Red Linear

$6.00

$4.15 per 10

Learn more