Cherry MX Brown vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to consider the key differences between the two. The MX Brown switch is praised for its subtlety, offering a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. While the Cherry MX Brown is known for its textured, bassy, and low-pitched characteristics, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade boasts a unique translucent jade yellow housing and a punchy tactile bump. Each switch has its own strengths and appeals, but ultimately the choice between them depends on personal preferences and specific needs. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade are both made of nylon, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use nylon housing. Both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel, as the nylon material in the top and bottom housings contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches.
One key difference between the two switches is the color of the housing material. While both the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade use nylon for their housing, the Cherry MX Brown features a brownish hue compared to the latter's yellow jade color. This may be purely aesthetic and not affect the performance of the switches, but it could be a factor for those who prefer a specific color scheme for their keyboard setup. Despite this cosmetic difference, the nylon housing in both switches works in a similar way to create a deeper and fuller sound profile.
In terms of construction, the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both utilize nylon top and bottom housings. This means that the qualities of the nylon material are evenly distributed throughout the switch, affecting both the bottom-out sound and feel as well as the sound when releasing a key. The use of nylon in both the top and bottom housings ensures a consistent typing experience, maintaining the deep and full sound profile that nylon is known for. Overall, the similarities between the housing materials of these switches lead to a comparable typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it is clear that the MX Brown is lighter while the Silent Yellow Jade is heavier. The MX Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is considered medium-light. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy. This means that the MX Brown provides a lighter typing experience, which may be preferred for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more substantial push feel. Both switches offer a tactile typing experience, but the difference in weight may cater to different preferences for typing feel and keypress feedback. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches play a significant role in determining the typing experience they provide, with lighter switches being more suitable for some users and heavier switches for others.
Travel distance
Overall, the travel distance of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is 4.0mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3mm. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster input. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch offers a bit more depth and may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial key press. Both switches provide a tactile feedback while typing, but the slight difference in travel distance can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the keyboard. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00, whereas the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10.
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
The Cherry MX Brown switch is known for its subtle and light typing experience with relatively quiet audio feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. The MX Brown switch produces a deeper and richer sound profile with a lower frequency range, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch does not have specific sound descriptors provided. When it comes to feel, the MX Brown switch is described as having a textured feel, indicating noticeable friction when pressed. The feel of the Silent Yellow Jade switch is not mentioned.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches offer distinct typing experiences in terms of both sound and feel. The MX Brown switch provides a subtle and light typing experience with bassy sound profiles and a textured feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, though specific descriptors for sound and feel are not provided. When choosing between these switches, consider your preference for feedback and typing feel to determine which switch will suit your typing style best.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, typing experience, sound profile, and tactile feel. If you prefer a lighter typing experience with subtle tactility and relatively quieter key presses, the Cherry MX Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier typing experience with a punchy tactile bump and a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade might be more up your alley. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences and priorities in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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