HMX Macchiato vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the HMX Macchiato and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the HMX Macchiato and the Bsun Olive can significantly influence your typing experience. The HMX Macchiato, crafted by YG Studio, is celebrated for its silky smooth operation and bright sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate effortless keystrokes and a more subdued auditory atmosphere. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switches are designed for tactile enthusiasts, featuring all-POM housings that deliver a resonant, deep sound, complemented by a pronounced tactile feedback that is unmistakable with each press. This medium-weight switch, with its long pole stem, ensures a sharp, satisfying bottom-out, providing a tactile and auditory experience that many find invigorating. While the Macchiato offers a smooth and linear typing experience perfect for fast-paced typing, the Olive engages users with its snappy and accented feedback ideal for those who love to feel each keystroke. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Macchiato and the Bsun Olive, it is clear that each switch employs distinct properties that impact their overall performance and acoustics. The Macchiato utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing. Nylon is known for its softer consistency, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The material's ability to absorb sound results in a duller and rounder auditory experience, enhancing the enjoyment of typing. In contrast, the Olive features POM (Polyoxymethylene) housing, which, while also producing a deeper and relatively muted sound, offers a unique sonic signature that distinguishes it from nylon. The difference in materials highlights the varying qualities they bring to the overall auditory landscape of these switches.
Despite the clear differences in housing materials, both the HMX Macchiato and Bsun Olive aim for a satisfying acoustic experience. The nylon in the Macchiato is visually and functionally classic, providing consistent performance throughout its use, while POM in the Olive is engineered to create a distinct sound profile that many users find appealing. Both materials contribute to a sound that is deeper than those made with harder plastics, enhancing the tactile feedback of the switches. The Macchiato’s nylon can create a fuller sound in its unique way, while the Olive’s POM offers muted yet pleasant auditory feedback, making each an excellent option depending on user preferences.
Ultimately, regardless of the differences in housing materials, a user can achieve similar results in terms of sound quality by considering the split impact of the top and bottom housings in both switches. While the Macchiato relies solely on nylon to create its sound experience, the Olive's POM-infused design also leads to engaging acoustic results. In practice, when typing on either switch, the characteristics of each material will manifest in different phases of keypress and release, allowing users to experience a rich spectrum of feedback. The choice between nylon and POM boils down to personal preference for sound and feel, ensuring that enthusiasts can find fulfillment in either switch setup.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, notable differences emerge. The Macchiato features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for those who prioritize comfort and extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Olive possesses a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a more pronounced bottom out force of 65 grams, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial feedback during typing. As such, the Macchiato is the lighter option overall, while the Olive is on the heavier side. Both switches offer unique experiences: the Macchiato allows for quicker, less strenuous typing, whereas the Olive provides a firmer, more tactile response that certain individuals enjoy for an enhanced typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, there is a clear difference in their travel distances. The Macchiato boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the traditional travel distance preferred by many users who appreciate a more pronounced key press. In contrast, the Bsun Olive has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it more suitable for those who favor quicker responsiveness, such as gamers. This shorter travel can result in faster actuation, but some users might find it too abrupt for their taste. Ultimately, if you value a deeper, more tactile experience, the Macchiato may be the better choice, while the Olive caters to those who prefer a snappier keystroke. Thus, the Macchiato is the longer switch at 4 mm, and the Olive is the shorter switch at 3.4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Macchiato has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Macchiato for $2.99.
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 HMX Macchiato switch is renowned for its bright auditory profile, which contributes to an uplifting typing atmosphere. This characteristic is likely to appeal to those seeking a lively and engaging typing experience. In contrast, the BSUN Olive switch produces a resonant, deeper sound, offering a pleasantly rich auditory feedback that enhances the tactile engagement during use. The Olive's sound is shaped by its all-POM housings, which provides an appealing acoustic quality, making each keystroke feel substantial. Nonetheless, the actual sound produced by either switch can be influenced significantly by the choice of keyboard plate and keycaps paired with them.
Regarding the feel, the HMX Macchiato is lauded for its silky smooth typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those who value a fluid keypress without distractions. In contrast, the BSUN Olive switch possesses a notable tactile characteristic; its accents provide a medium tactile feedback that is neither too overwhelming nor too subtle. This means typists will experience a satisfying tactile bump, complemented by an invigorating response that feels snappy and sharp. The pronounced feedback in the Olive switch creates an engaging typing sensation, enhancing the user experience for those who appreciate tactile switches.
Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The HMX Macchiato excels in providing a smooth and bright auditory and tactile experience, ideal for users who appreciate a more fluid typing style. On the other hand, the BSUN Olive caters to enthusiasts looking for a rich sound with pronounced tactile feedback, delivering an immersive and actively engaging experience. Your choice between these two switches will be dictated by whether you prioritize smoothness and brightness or depth and tactility in your typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the typing experience you seek. If you prioritize a smooth, quiet experience with light actuation, the Macchiato is the ideal choice. Its 50-gram bottom-out force ensures effortless key presses, making it suitable for extended typing sessions, programming, or casual gaming where a serene sound profile enhances focus. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more pronounced tactile experience that engages your fingers and provides satisfying auditory feedback, the Olive switch is the way to go. With a firmer 65-gram bottom-out force, it excels in typing situations where you want to feel each keystroke's feedback, making it perfect for those who love a snappy, invigorating feel with a deep resonant sound. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the Macchiato’s silky smoothness or the Olive’s sharp tactile response will shape how you interact with your keyboard, so consider what feels right for you and your typing style.
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