Dareu Mahjong vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Mahjong and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Mahjong switches, easily recognized by their vibrant green and white aesthetic, deliver a lively and poppy sound signature that can add a touch of personality to your typing sessions. Their bouncy and polished characteristics offer a mildly tactile feel, making them ideal for users who appreciate an engaging typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g prioritizes a serene environment, engineered for whisper-quiet operation, evoking the soothing sound of raindrops. With a balanced 53g bottom-out force, these switches provide a light yet satisfying keystroke, perfect for those who value discretion in their workspace. While both switches showcase the benefits of linear design—smooth key presses and minimal resistance—they cater to different user sentiments. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches, it becomes evident that while both utilize nylon in their construction, they diverge significantly in their top and bottom housing materials. The Dareu Mahjong features a polyketone (POK) top housing, recognized for its exceptional smoothness due to a low coefficient of friction (0.04) and remarkable durability, being 14 times stronger than POM. This material not only contributes to a clacky sound profile but also enhances the overall tactile experience, as its durability and shock resistance help maintain consistent performance over time. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 53g opts for a nylon top housing, a classic choice that helps produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. Thus, while both can deliver smooth keypress experiences, the sound quality and feel during the act of typing will differ, underlining the impact that housing material has on auditory feedback.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Dareu Mahjong uses nylon again, much like the Silent Sakura - 53g; however, the Silent Sakura features polycarbonate in this section. This variance results in distinctive sound profiles between the two switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Mahjong works in tandem with its POK top to create a sound that is more muted and rounded, absorbing sound and creating a softer acoustic environment. On the other hand, the polycarbonate used in the bottom of the Silent Sakura tends to generate a sharper and crisper sound signature. This difference stems from polycarbonate’s stiffer nature, which resonates more vividly when the key is bottomed out or released. Overall, while both switches can feel similar during use, especially in terms of smoothness, the auditory experience will be more pronounced and vibrant with the polycarbonate bottom housing.
Ultimately, the differing materials of the top and bottom housings in both switches enable them to yield unique characteristics and performances, even if they share nylon in one aspect. The POK housing of the Mahjong might result in durability and smoothness, while the nylon bottom still aids in achieving a fuller sound profile. Meanwhile, the Silent Sakura’s combination of nylon and polycarbonate crafts a more resonant experience, catering to those who appreciate a brighter and sharper auditory feedback. Therefore, while each switch showcases a blend of nylon and an alternative material offering different experiences, they both aim to create satisfying responses in mechanical key presses, allowing users to choose based on their preference for sound and feel.
Weight
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch share the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning users will experience a similar responsiveness when it comes to registering keystrokes. However, the comparison diverges in terms of their bottom out forces. The Mahjong's bottom out force is unknown, which means we cannot assess how it feels when pressing down completely. In contrast, the Silent Sakura has a defined bottom out force of 53 grams, which indicates a firmer feel upon bottoming out. This discrepancy suggests that while both switches require the same effort to actuate, the Silent Sakura will likely provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force. Consequently, the Mahjong switch may be perceived as the lighter option overall for users seeking ease during prolonged use, whereas the Silent Sakura caters to those who prefer a stronger feedback when fully depressing the key.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, the Mahjong features a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Silent Sakura boasts a travel distance of 4 mm. This difference in travel distance highlights the contrasting design philosophies of the two switches: the shorter distance of the Mahjong caters to gamers seeking quicker response times for enhanced performance, while the longer travel distance of the Silent Sakura offers a more substantial feel that some users may prefer for a tactile experience. As a result, those who opt for the Mahjong may enjoy a more immediate actuation, whereas those who select the Silent Sakura will appreciate the deeper engagement with each keystroke. Therefore, if you value responsiveness in your typing or gaming experience, the Dareu Mahjong is the clear choice, while the HMX Silent Sakura will be more suited for those who favor a heartier and deeper keystroke.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 53g comes in at $3.50 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offers a lively and poppy sound signature, making it a more engaging auditory experience during typing. This sound profile suits both casual typists and those in professional environments, as it strikes a balance that is neither overly loud nor too muted. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g is engineered for a whisper-quiet experience, reminiscent of gentle raindrops. This switch is ideal for users seeking a discreet environment, allowing for prolonged typing sessions without disturbing others. While both switches offer satisfying auditory experiences, the Mahjong will be more prominent, and the Silent Sakura will cater to those who prioritize tranquility.
When considering the feel of each switch, the Mahjong linear switch provides a bouncy, mild, and polished sensation. This combination results in a lively typing experience, where users can enjoy a spring-like feedback along with smooth key travel. The bounciness invites rhythmic typing, making it enjoyable for extended sessions. On the other hand, the details regarding the feel of the Silent Sakura - 53g are currently unknown but are complemented by its 53g bottom out force—suggesting that it may cater well to typists who prefer a lighter touch while still aiming for a satisfying tactile response.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Mahjong and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switches offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Mahjong excels in creating an engaging sound and an enjoyable, lively feel, while the Silent Sakura caters to those who wish for a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the satisfying feel of a linear switch. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you prioritize auditory feedback and tactile engagement or a stealthy, low-noise option for your typing environment.
Conclusion
To sum up, the choice between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch ultimately depends on your preferences in typing experience and environment. If you're looking for a switch that offers a lively, poppy feel with a bouncy action and a unique visual appeal, the Mahjong is an excellent option. Its neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various settings, whether at home or work, especially if you're new to mechanical keyboards and appreciate a more approachably tactile feel. On the other hand, if your priority lies in achieving a quieter typing experience, perhaps for use in shared spaces or during late-night sessions, the Silent Sakura - 53g would be a better match. Its medium-light bottom out force provides a satisfying but gentle keystroke, making it ideal for extended typing without the concern of disrupting those around you. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing style, the noise levels you expect from your environment, and how you want your keyboard to feel under your fingers.
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