Cherry MX Brown vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Cherry MX Brown and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro mechanical keyboard switches, one can see the unique characteristics that set them apart. The Cherry MX Brown is known for its subtlety, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a fairly light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it a well-balanced tactile option. While the MX Brown is categorized as 'Textured', 'Bassy', 'Low-pitched', the Violet Gold Pro is categorized as 'Stepped' and 'Neutral'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences in terms of typing feel and 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
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the Cherry MX Brown and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, it is evident that they both utilize different housing materials for their switches. The MX Brown features a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro incorporates a polycarbonate top housing, providing a sharper and crisper sound profile thanks to its stiffer plastic composition. While both materials have their unique characteristics, the nylon top housing of the MX Brown creates a duller and rounder sound compared to the more clear and resonant sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro.
When looking at the bottom housings of these switches, both the MX Brown and the Violet Gold Pro utilize nylon housing materials. As a result, both switches elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for its ability to absorb more sound and create a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Despite the similarities in their bottom housing materials, the slight variations in the construction of their top housings lead to distinct sound profiles for each switch. The nylon bottom housing of both switches allows for a consistent typing experience, maintaining the deep and full sound profile characteristic of nylon housing materials.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches plays a significant role in the sound and feel of each keystroke. While the Cherry MX Brown and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique sound profiles due to their different top housing materials, the consistency in their nylon bottom housing ensures a deep and full sound profile for both switches. Whether you prefer the duller and rounder sound of the MX Brown's nylon housing or the clearer and resonant sound of the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate housing, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials.
Weight
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in terms of the force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, the Cherry MX Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams, indicating a slightly heavier feel when pressing all the way down compared to the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Cherry MX Brown may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro may appeal to those who prefer a lighter weight switch, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, we can see that the MX Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the MX Brown being slightly longer. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Violet Gold Pro, while those looking for a more substantial keypress may lean towards the MX Brown. Overall, both switches offer a solid tactile feel with their respective travel distances, providing users with a satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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 Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their bassy and low-pitched profile. This means that users can expect a deeper and richer sound during key presses, setting them apart from higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer a more neutral sound signature, making them a versatile option suitable for various typing environments. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the overall sound profile desired.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Brown switches are often described as textured, providing users with a tactile feedback that has noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture, while others might opt for a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches are characterized as stepped, offering a two-stage tactile feel that differs from the more pronounced bump of hypertactile switches. This gives users a different typing experience that may suit those looking for a more moderate tactile response.
Overall, both the Cherry MX Brown and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cherry MX Brown switches provide a subtler tactile experience with a bassy sound profile, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer a balanced typing experience with a more neutral sound signature. Choosing between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience an individual is seeking. However, it's important to note that both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will achieve similar results regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between Cherry MX Brown tactile switches and Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switches, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you value subtlety, a light typing experience with gentle tactility, and subdued audio feedback, then the Cherry MX Brown switches may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are seeking a balanced typing experience with medium tactility, a fairly light touch, and a neutral sound signature, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and overall typing experience.
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