Durock Mamba vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The mechanical keyboard market is flooded with a wide range of switches, each offering a unique typing experience. Two popular options in this realm are the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Brown. The Durock Mamba is a linear switch that provides an unparalleled smoothness during typing sessions, giving users a gliding sensation paired with a rich and creamy auditory feedback. Categorized as "Neutral," "Mild," "Thocky," and "Polished," it delivers a consistent and pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown is a tactile switch that offers a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. These switches are best known for their muted sound profile, making them ideal for those seeking a quieter environment. Categorized as "Buttery," "Mild," "Muted," and "Polished," they strike a balance between tactile feedback and noise reduction. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Brown switches differ significantly, leading to distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a unique sound profile that is bright but not particularly sharp. In contrast, the Silent Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a higher-pitched and sharper sound profile. Additionally, due to its translucency, polycarbonate is perfect for utilizing RGB lighting. Overall, the Mamba's top housing provides a more pleasant and mellow sound, while the Silent Brown's polycarbonate housing delivers a crisper and more resonant sound.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Mamba utilizes a POM material, which results in a relatively deeper and more muted sound. Comparatively, the Silent Brown employs a nylon bottom housing that elicits a fuller and deeper sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and smoother sound compared to the POM material used in the Mamba. Therefore, the bottom housing of the switches contributes significantly to the overall sound and feel, with the Mamba offering a more subdued tone and the Silent Brown providing a richer and more resonant sound.
In summary, the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Brown switches showcase different housing materials that produce contrasting sound profiles. The Mamba's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the top housing creates a pleasant and bright sound, while the polycarbonate used in the Silent Brown's top housing delivers a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Moreover, the POM bottom housing of the Mamba generates a deeper and more muffled sound, whereas the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Brown offers a fuller and rounder sound. Despite these differences, both switches provide their own unique traits, allowing users to choose based on their preference for sound and aesthetics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, there are several key differences to consider. The actuation force of the Durock Mamba is unavailable grams, while the Silent Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Silent Brown requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Mamba.
In terms of bottom out force, the Durock Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is considered medium. On the other hand, the Silent Brown has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorized as medium-heavy. This indicates that the Silent Brown switch will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience in terms of the force required to fully press down the keys.
Weight considerations play a role in the choice between these switches. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Brown switch might be more suitable as its actuation force is lighter compared to the availability of the Durock Mamba. This lighter actuation force may allow for longer typing sessions without fatigue.
However, for users who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Durock Mamba with its medium actuation force and slightly lighter bottom out force could be a better option. This heavier force requirement may provide a more satisfying keystroke and better feedback for those seeking a more tactile experience.
In summary, the Durock Mamba and TTC Silent Brown switches differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Brown switch has a lighter actuation force and a slightly heavier bottom out force, making it suitable for those seeking a lighter typing experience. Meanwhile, the Durock Mamba offers a medium actuation force and a lighter bottom out force, providing a more substantial and tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Mamba has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Silent Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of the traditional range, both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum, as the most traditional travel distance is 4.0 mm. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. Therefore, if one is seeking a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the Mamba with its shorter travel distance would be an ideal choice. However, it's worth noting that for some individuals, short travel distances can feel too abrupt. In such cases, opting for the switch with the longer travel distance, the Silent Brown, would suit those who prefer a deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of key depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
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 Durock Mamba linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile. It offers a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether they are typing at home or at work. When pressed, the Mamba switch produces a deep and satisfying thocky sound, reminiscent of a rich "thud" or a soft "knock". On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is well-regarded for its muted sound profile. These switches produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise commonly associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it is important to note that the actual sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a mild typing experience. It provides a more gentle sensation compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Mamba switch falls within a safe, middle-ground zone that most users will find approachable. Additionally, these switches have a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The smooth and refined surface of the Mamba switch reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing feel. Similarly, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is also described as mild in terms of feel. It offers a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. Like the Mamba switch, the Silent Brown switch is also considered polished, providing a smooth and refined keystroke experience.
Based on the available information, the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch offer somewhat similar subjective qualities. Both switches provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Mamba switch having a gliding sensation and the Silent Brown switch offering a rounded tactile bump. In terms of sound, the Mamba switch produces a deep and satisfying thocky sound, while the Silent Brown switch has a muted sound profile. Both switches are described as mild and polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, depending on individual preferences, one can expect a comparable typing experience with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch that offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience, the Durock Mamba switch is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, it provides a medium level of resistance, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. The Mamba switch is best known for its tribute to Kobe Bryant and delivers a satisfying typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, the TTC Silent Brown switch is an excellent option. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, it falls into the medium-heavy category. The Silent Brown switch is beloved for its comfortable typing experience and muted sound profile, perfect for those who prefer a quieter keyboard.
In terms of sound, the Mamba switch is described as neutral and thocky, offering a moderate sound profile with a deep and satisfying "thud" or "knock" sound. The Silent Brown switch, on the other hand, is characterized as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches.
When it comes to feel, both switches have similarities. They are both described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, they both share the descriptor of being polished, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba and TTC Silent Brown switches depends on your personal preferences for linear or tactile switches, as well as the desired sound and feel. Both switches have their unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience.
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