Dareu Mahjong vs. Akko Rosewood
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the Akko Rosewood switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Dareu Mahjong and the Akko Rosewood can greatly influence your typing experience. The Mahjong switches stand out with their vibrant green and white color scheme, delivering a lively, poppy sound signature that adds an enjoyable auditory element to every keystroke. Known for their bouncy feel and effortless typing experience, these switches are ideal for users who appreciate a softer touch and a more playful sound profile. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood switches offer a contrasting experience with their deep, satisfying thocky sound, enhanced by a factory-applied layer of lubricant that ensures a smooth keystroke. While the Rosewood excels in producing a rich auditory feedback that many enthusiasts crave, it may cater more to those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel. Both switches have their own unique merits, making them suitable for different types of users and preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Mahjong and Akko Rosewood switches utilize different top housing materials, resulting in varying tactile and auditory characteristics. The Mahjong’s top housing is crafted from polyketone (POK), a high-performance material known for its low friction coefficient of 0.04, which facilitates smoother key presses. This material offers superior durability, being 14 times stronger in wear resistance than POM and considerably more shock-resistant than nylon and POM as well. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood employs nylon for its top housing, which is a more traditional option. While nylon’s friction coefficient is slightly higher at 0.03, its softer nature contributes to a rounder, more subdued sound profile. As such, users may find the Mahjong’s tactile feedback more pronounced and the auditory response crisper, while the Rosewood may offer a deeper, mellower acoustic experience.
When examining the bottom housings of both switches, it's evident that they utilize the same nylon material. This consistency means that regardless of the differences in the upper housing, both switches will produce a full-bodied sound profile due to the inherent properties of nylon. Switches with nylon bottoms tend to absorb sound, creating a duller and rounder auditory experience, which remains constant across both models. This reinforces the idea that while the Dareu Mahjong yields a sharper sound profile for the top-end keystrokes thanks to its POK material, the bottom-out sounds will similarly resonate with the fuller tones characteristic of nylon, highlighting the switches' shared qualities in this regard.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in both the Dareu Mahjong and Akko Rosewood switches delineates their unique sound profiles and tactile feedback. With the distinct top housing materials, the Mahjong provides a clackier, more pronounced experience for the upper strokes, thanks to its POK composition, while the Rosewood's nylon top enhances a softer acoustic delivery. However, both switches encapsulate the resonant qualities of nylon at their base; this commonality ensures a deeper, rounded sound regardless of their upper housing differences, offering a blend of contrast and similarity in user experience. Whether opting for the sharper feedback of the Mahjong or the richer tones of the Rosewood, users can expect satisfaction from both designs.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, notable differences emerge in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Mahjong switch features an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Rosewood comes in lighter at 40 grams. This means that those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions would find the Rosewood more accommodating. However, the bottom out force for the Mahjong switch is unknown, limiting a complete comparison in that regard. The Rosewood's bottom out force is specified at 50 grams, indicating a firmer feel when the key is fully pressed down. Consequently, for users who appreciate a heavier typing experience, the Rosewood switch may be more appealing, while the Mahjong offers a lighter actuation without a known bottom out force. Overall, users will want to consider these differences in weight to find the switch that best suits their typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Dareu Mahjong and the Akko Rosewood linear switches, the Mahjong has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Rosewood measures 4 mm. This means that the Mahjong switch offers a more responsive experience, making it preferable for gamers who seek quicker key presses. On the other hand, the Rosewood, with its longer travel distance, provides a more pronounced feel with deeper engagement, which can be more satisfying for typists or those who enjoy a less abrupt key actuation. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or a more substantial typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The Akko Rosewood has an MSRP of $3.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rosewood for $3.11.
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
The sound profile of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch is characterized by a lively and poppy signature, creating an engaging auditory experience that strikes a balance between being noticeable without being overbearing. This makes it suitable for varied environments, whether at home or in an office setting. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood linear switch produces a deep, satisfying thock that is distinct and warm, enhanced by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant. Although both switches have their respective auditory qualities, they cater to different preferences; if you favor a punchy sound, the Mahjong will be your go-to, while those who appreciate a richer, deeper sound may prefer the Rosewood.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Mahjong shines with a bouncy and polished sensation that offers a delightful rebound effect upon keypress, ensuring a dynamic typing experience. It combines this with a mild nature, providing a gentle tactile feedback that can appeal to both novice and experienced typists. Conversely, the feel characteristics of the Rosewood switch are currently unknown, which leaves a gap in directly comparing this crucial aspect. However, if you are accustomed to a bouncy and smooth typing experience, the Mahjong will likely meet your expectations.
In conclusion, while both the Dareu Mahjong and Akko Rosewood switches present different sounds, the Mahjong leans towards a more lively approach, whereas the Rosewood emphasizes a deeper acoustic response. In terms of feel, the Mahjong's characteristics stand out with bouncy and polished feedback, but details on the Rosewood remain elusive. Ultimately, if sound is crucial to your typing preference, you will find distinct experiences with each switch, whereas the feel of the Rosewood remains a mystery until additional information is available.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and intended usage. If you're looking for a switch that provides a lively typing experience with a pleasant sound profile, the Mahjong switch would be an excellent choice. Its bouncy feel and polished design make it particularly suitable for both casual typing and intense gaming sessions, where rapid key presses are required. The neutral sound and approachable characteristics of the Mahjong also make it a versatile option for a home or work environment, where you may want to avoid disturbing others with a loud typing sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper, more satisfying auditory feedback while typing and appreciate a switch with a defined bottom-out force that contributes to a more substantial feel, then the Akko Rosewood switch is the way to go. Its thocky sound and slightly heavier actuation force can offer a more grounding experience, perfect for those who enjoy a tactile connection to their keyboard. Ultimately, both switches have their merits, and understanding what you prioritize—in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience—will guide you to the right choice for your mechanical keyboard journey.
Mentioned in this article
