Cherry MX Brown vs. Wuque Studio WS Morandi
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Cherry MX Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi. The MX Brown is known for its subtlety, offering a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches bring a unique blend of innovation and visual aesthetics. These linear switches feature an ultra-smooth feel and a mesmerizing RGB visual effect, thanks to the light diffusing column. The UPE stem provides a distinct dry, airy, and wispy smoothness, different from the creamy feel of factory-lubed switches. While the WS Morandi switches have a slightly more muted sound profile, the MX Browns offer a more textured and bassy experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
UPE
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi differ in terms of their housing materials. The MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing, while the WS Morandi incorporates a POM top housing. The nylon top housing of the MX Brown offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer plastic composition. It absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the POM top housing of the WS Morandi creates an incredibly pleasing and unique sound profile that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. Despite their differences, both housing materials contribute to enhancing the overall typing experience by generating distinct sounds.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the MX Brown features a nylon bottom housing, while the WS Morandi uses a POM bottom housing. Similar to the top housing, the nylon bottom housing of the MX Brown contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer plastic composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound during typing. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the WS Morandi creates an incredibly pleasing and unique sound profile that is relatively more muted. The bottom housing of a switch has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed.
In switches where both the top and bottom housings are different, the qualities of each material are divided between the two parts. When pressing down on such a switch, the feeling of the bottom housing is more pronounced, and the bottom-out sound is influenced by its composition. Conversely, the sound when releasing a key is more heavily influenced by the top housing. Despite the distinct materials used, both the MX Brown and WS Morandi switches offer a unique and enhanced typing experience through the utilization of their top and bottom housing materials, albeit in different ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, some notable differences and similarities arise. The MX Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is considered medium-light, while the WS Morandi's actuation force is not specified. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is classified as medium. In terms of weight, the MX Brown is lighter in actuation force compared to the WS Morandi, which may be favorable for individuals seeking a lighter typing experience for prolonged usage. On the other hand, some users may prefer the heavier actuation force provided by the WS Morandi for a more robust and substantial typing feel. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches cater to different preferences, allowing users to select their preferred force level for an optimized typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The MX Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the WS Morandi switch. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered to be the more traditional choice, offering a balance between depth and response time. On the other hand, a travel distance of 3.5 mm is slightly shorter and preferred by gamers for its quicker response times. If you prioritize faster responsiveness, the WS Morandi switch would be a suitable choice. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and in such cases, the Cherry MX Brown switch with its 4.0 mm travel distance would provide a more satisfying depth. Ultimately, the decision 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 Wuque Studio WS Morandi has an MSRP of $4.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Morandi for $3.90.
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 subtle and gentle audio feedback. The sound produced by these switches can be described as bassy and low-pitched, creating a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches offer a slightly more muted sound profile. Described as low-pitched and subdued, these switches produce a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. Additionally, the WS Morandi switches are also described as thocky, providing a satisfying and deep sound resembling a soft "knock" or a deep "thud" when pressed and released. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, Cherry MX Brown switches provide a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility. These switches can be described as textured, meaning they have noticeable friction when pressed. Some users prefer this subtle texture, while others prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches offer a buttery and creamy feel. Described as buttery, these switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The creamy description further emphasizes the smoothness and buttery feel, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. Additionally, the WS Morandi switches are also described as silky, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
To sum it up, the Cherry MX Brown switches and the WS Morandi switches have some notable differences in sound and feel. The MX Brown switches offer a subtle and gentle tactility with a relatively light typing experience and a sound profile characterized as bassy and low-pitched. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches provide a smooth and buttery feel with an ultra-smooth keystroke experience, accompanied by a more muted sound profile that is low-pitched and thocky. While they have their own distinct characteristics, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, and depending on your personal preferences, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a more subtle typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued sound feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a great choice for you. It offers a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, if you value innovation and visual aesthetics, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch would be a fantastic option. These switches feature a mesmerizing light diffusion effect and provide an ultra-smooth typing experience with their UPE stem and long pole design. With a slightly more muted sound profile and a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, the WS Morandi strikes a perfect balance between form and function. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound, and aesthetics.
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