Durock Mamba vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the Durock Mamba and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Mamba is a linear switch that offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience. With its 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky' and 'Polished' characteristics, it provides a versatile and pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers, also a linear switch, offers a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, resulting in a unique and satisfying typing feel. These switches are known for their 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', 'Subtle', and 'Polished' attributes, creating a creamy sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Jwick Splash Brothers differ significantly in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a unique sound profile that is bright and pleasant, but not particularly sharp. In contrast, the Splash Brothers utilize a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting. Thus, while the Mamba provides a more mellow sound, the Splash Brothers offer a brighter and sharper sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Mamba incorporates a POM bottom housing that produces a pleasing and deep sound profile. It is relatively more muted compared to the Splash Brothers. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers employ a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Therefore, the Mamba's POM bottom housing provides a deeper but relatively more muted sound, while the Splash Brothers' nylon bottom housing produces a fuller and deeper sound.
It is worth noting that the impact of the housing materials differs depending on which part of the switch is being engaged. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Thus, the differentiation in housing materials between the Durock Mamba and the Jwick Splash Brothers will result in distinct sound profiles depending on the specific action taken on the keyboard.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are some key differences. Starting with the Mamba, its actuation force is of unavailable grams, while its bottom out force is measured at 60 grams, which can be considered medium. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers has an actuation force also of unavailable grams, but its bottom out force is lighter at 48 grams.
Considering the weight aspect, some users prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. In this case, the Splash Brothers might be a better choice due to its lighter bottom out force. However, those who desire a more substantial typing experience and enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for a switch with a heavier force.
In terms of weight, the Mamba could be considered the heavier option due to its higher bottom out force compared to the Splash Brothers. Nevertheless, the specific actuation forces for both switches are not provided, which makes it difficult to evaluate whether they are similar or different in this aspect. Overall, it is important for individuals to assess their personal preferences and typing needs to determine which switch - the Durock Mamba or the Jwick Splash Brothers - would best suit their preferences.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switches have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. When pressing down on a key, both switches will provide a consistent distance, resulting in a similar typing experience. Whether using the Durock Mamba or the Jwick Splash Brothers, users can expect the keys to travel a distance of 3.5 mm, providing a tactile feedback that is comfortable for typing or gaming purposes. Therefore, it can be said that the travel distance is equal for both switches, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Mamba Linear switches offer a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that they produce a satisfying and rich sound when pressed, akin to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock." On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers Linear switches also possess a neutral sound profile with a similar actuation force requirement. Therefore, both switches are likely to provide a comparable auditory experience, making them suitable for most purposes and preferences. It is worth noting that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Mamba Linear switches are described as offering a mild typing experience. This means that they provide a gentle and approachable tactile feedback during typing. Additionally, the switch has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Jwick Splash Brothers Linear switches also provide a mild typing experience, ensuring that they are comfortable for most users. Furthermore, these switches are characterized as snappy, which means they offer a super responsive typing experience. They also have a bouncy quality, providing a spring-like rebound when pressed. In terms of feel, one can expect a similar level of comfort and responsiveness from both switches, allowing for enjoyable and smooth typing.
Considering all available information, both the Durock Mamba Linear switches and the Jwick Splash Brothers Linear switches offer comparable qualities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience. Similarly, they both offer a mild typing experience, ensuring comfort and approachability for most users. Moreover, both switches have a polished finish, resulting in smooth and refined typing experiences with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Therefore, if one is to choose between these two switches, they can expect similar results in terms of both sound and feel, ultimately making their decision based on other factors such as availability, pricing, and personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Durock Mamba linear switch is an excellent choice if you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams. They offer a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, making them a pleasure to type on. The sound profile of the Mamba is neutral or thocky, providing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. In terms of feel, the Mamba is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is perfect if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams. These switches have a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel. The sound profile of the Splash Brothers is neutral, similar to the Mamba. Their feel is described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished. They provide a spring-like feedback sensation and are super responsive, giving you a lively and responsive typing experience.
Ultimately, your choice between the Durock Mamba and the Jwick Splash Brothers will depend on your preferences regarding bottom out force, typing sensation, sound profile, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a gliding typing sensation, the Mamba is a great option. However, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a shorter activation with a lively feedback sensation, the Splash Brothers might be the better choice for you. Consider your typing preferences and desired experience to make an informed decision between these two switches.
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