Dareu Mahjong vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Mahjong and the SP-Star Yanyu mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear switches offering different typing experiences. The Dareu Mahjong stands out with its unique green and white color scheme, known for its lively and poppy sound signature, providing an effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu is designed for a delicate typing experience, ideal for long typing sessions, and boasts a crisp sound profile. While the Mahjong offers a bouncy and mild typing experience, the Yanyu provides a subtle and feathery feel. Both switches have a polished finish, but the Yanyu leans towards a thocky sound. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
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
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and the SP-Star Yanyu, we can see that both switches offer unique blends of materials for their top housing. The Mahjong utilizes POK material, known for its smoothness and durability, providing a clacky feel to the switches. On the other hand, the Yanyu features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, offering a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. While both materials aim to enhance the overall typing experience, they differ in terms of sound profile and feel.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Mahjong utilizes nylon for its classic switch housing material. Nylon contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing. In contrast, the Yanyu also utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, providing a unique sound profile that is more on the brighter side. Despite both switches having different bottom housing materials, they both aim to enhance the sound and feel of typing, albeit in slightly different ways.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall typing experience, it becomes clear that each material brings its own unique qualities to the switches. While the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Both switches offer a blend of materials that aim to provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Mahjong focusing on smoothness and durability, and the Yanyu emphasizing a pleasant and bright sound profile.
Weight
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, whose actuation force is unknown. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams, while the bottom out force of the Mahjong switch is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Mahjong switch may be the better option due to its lower actuation force. However, for those who prefer a more substantial typing feel, the Yanyu switch with its lighter bottom out force may provide a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it slightly shorter than the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Mahjong's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Yanyu's longer travel distance could provide a more satisfying keystroke for those who prefer a deeper feel. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distance, with the Mahjong being shorter and the Yanyu being longer, catering to different preferences in typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and responsiveness.
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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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, both the Dareu Mahjong and SP-Star Yanyu switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. However, the Yanyu switch is also noted for its thocky sound profile, providing a deep and satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a richer sound when pressing and releasing keys. Keep in mind that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Mahjong switch is characterized as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that gives users a lively and rebounding feel when typing. Additionally, it is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and enhances key travel. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch is also identified as having a mild feel, along with being feathery and subtle. This means that it is exceptionally light to press, reduces finger fatigue, and provides a gentle resistance conducive to comfortable extended typing sessions, suitable for various applications.
Overall, both the Dareu Mahjong and SP-Star Yanyu switches offer users a pleasant typing experience with their neutral sound profiles, making them versatile choices for different users and settings. While the Mahjong switch tends to provide a bouncy and polished feel, the Yanyu switch offers a feathery and subtle tactile experience. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, as both switches are designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, consider your preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a unique green and white color scheme, a lively poppy sound, and an effortless typing experience, the Mahjong switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a delicate typing experience with a crisp sound profile, especially for long typing sessions, the Yanyu switch could be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a bouncy and polished feel, the Mahjong switch may be more to your liking, while the Yanyu switch offers a feathery and subtle feel. Ultimately, choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences and comfort level.
Mentioned in this article
