Durock Mamba vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Mamba and TTC Speed Silver are two popular choices for mechanical keyboard switches, both belonging to the linear switch category. The Mamba is renowned for its tribute to Kobe Bryant, offering a gliding typing sensation and a rich, creamy auditory experience. It falls under the categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Speed Silver is known for its exceptional speed and precision in typing. These tactile switches provide a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile, all while allowing for quick and effortless actuation with reduced travel distance. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Speed Silver is ideal for those who seek a swift and accurate typing experience. However, let's delve deeper into the specifics of each switch to help you determine the best fit for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 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 Durock Mamba and TTC Speed Silver differ significantly in their housing materials. The Mamba features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its top housing, resulting in a pleasant and bright sound profile. On the other hand, the Speed Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate also makes the housing translucent, making it ideal for RGB lighting. So, while both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Mamba leans towards a brighter tone, while the Speed Silver provides a sharper sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Mamba's POM material contributes to an incredibly pleasing and deep sound. The POM housing creates a relatively muted sound profile, resulting in a rich and immersive typing experience. In contrast, the Speed Silver employs a nylon bottom housing, which is known for generating a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a dulled and rounder sound profile. Therefore, users can expect a more pronounced and resonant sound from the Speed Silver's nylon bottom housing compared to the Mamba's POM housing.
Considering the impact of top and bottom housings on sound and feel, the Durock Mamba and TTC Speed Silver diverge again. When pressing down on a key, the bottom housing's qualities come into play, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. As the Mamba features a POM bottom housing and the Speed Silver incorporates a nylon bottom housing, users will experience differences in the depth and sensation when typing. On the other hand, the sound upon releasing a key is more influenced by the top housing. Therefore, while the two switches may provide similar results in terms of the bottom-out experience, the sound when releasing a key will differ due to the distinct top housing materials used.
Weight
One key difference between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The actuation force of the Mamba is unavailable, making it difficult to compare directly to the Speed Silver. However, the Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which can be considered medium in terms of resistance. On the other hand, the Speed Silver has a lower actuation force of 45 grams, making it lighter and more sensitive to trigger a keystroke. Its bottom out force is also slightly lighter at 55 grams, placing it in the medium-light range.
Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing between these switches. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Speed Silver, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for quicker and more effortless keystrokes. This can be beneficial for individuals who need to type for extended periods, such as professionals using their keyboards at work or gamers engaged in long gaming sessions. In contrast, individuals who desire a stronger push feel may find the Mamba more suited to their preferences. With its medium actuation and bottom out forces, it offers a more substantial typing experience.
While the actuation force of the Mamba is unavailable for comparison, the similarities in their bottom out forces suggest that there may be comparable results when it comes to the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Mamba and the TTC Speed Silver will come down to personal preference and the specific typing feel desired by the user.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Mamba has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Speed Silver has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Speed Silver may be the better choice due to its slightly shorter travel distance. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt or lacking in depth. If you prefer a more substantial keypress, the Mamba with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
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 offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan on using these switches at home or work, they will be suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, the Mamba switch is also described as having a thocky sound, which produces a deep, rich, and satisfying noise when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch also provides a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that it offers a versatile sound that can be used in various settings. However, note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Durock Mamba and TTC Speed Silver linear switches offer a mild typing experience, which means that they provide a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. These switches fall into a safe, middle-ground zone, making them suitable for a wide range of typists. Additionally, both switches are described as being polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The polished nature of these switches can be attributed to either the materials used or factory lubing.
Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Mamba and TTC Speed Silver linear switches share many similarities in terms of sound and feel. They both offer a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience that is suitable for most users. Additionally, they both have a polished finish, resulting in smooth and effortless key travel. Therefore, if you are looking for a linear switch that provides a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, the Durock Mamba would be an excellent choice. Similarly, if you value a fast and precise typing experience with reduced travel distance, the TTC Speed Silver would be a great option. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences and the specific requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, both the Durock Mamba and TTC Speed Silver switches offer excellent options for linear switches with similar actuation forces and sound profiles. The Mamba switches are known for their gliding typing sensation and rich auditory experience, making them a great choice for those who prioritize a smooth and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Speed Silver switches are perfect for those who value a fast and precise typing experience, with reduced travel distance for quick and effortless actuation. In terms of sound, both switches fall into the neutral category, suitable for a wide range of users in various settings. When it comes to feel, both switches offer a mild and approachable typing experience, ensuring comfort for most users. Additionally, the polished finish of both switches contributes to a sleek and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Mamba and Speed Silver switches would depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
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