Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Dareu Violet Gold Pro offer distinct experiences. The Cherry MX Silent Red is a linear switch that provides a slightly heftier feel while operating silently, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch with medium tactility, a light touch, and a neutral sound signature, offering a balanced typing experience. While the Cherry MX Silent Red is best suited for those who prefer a quieter typing experience, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro caters to individuals looking for a tactile feedback without the loud clicking noise. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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 housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, it is evident that the MX Silent Red utilizes a nylon top housing, while the Violet Gold Pro uses a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the MX Silent Red creates a softer and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. The use of polycarbonate in the Violet Gold Pro's top housing is also advantageous for RGB lighting due to its translucency, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the switch.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the MX Silent Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro utilize nylon. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound than harder plastics. With both switches incorporating nylon bottom housings, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. The impact of the bottom housing on the overall sound when pressing down on a key is significant, as it plays a role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro can significantly impact the sound profile and typing experience. While the MX Silent Red's nylon housing creates a deeper and duller sound, the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate housing produces a crisper and sharper sound. Both switches benefit from the use of nylon in the bottom housing for a fuller sound profile, while the choice of polycarbonate in the Violet Gold Pro's top housing enhances aesthetics and compatibility with RGB lighting. Ultimately, the housing materials play a crucial role in determining the overall feel and sound of mechanical switches, catering to different preferences and needs of users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. Additionally, both switches have an unknown bottom out force. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke for both switches. However, when considering weight, some may prefer the lighter feel of the MX Silent Red for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may lean towards the heavier push feel of the Violet Gold Pro for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference based on desired typing feel and key travel.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Violet Gold Pro the switch with the longer travel distance by 0.1 mm. Both switches fall on the shorter end of the spectrum when it comes to travel distance, with the traditional range being between 3.0 mm and 4.0 mm. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the MX Silent Red for faster response times, while those who prefer a deeper key press may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Violet Gold Pro. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively quick key press experience compared to the more traditional 4.0 mm travel distance switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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.
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
In terms of sound, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch offers a muted and thocky typing experience with a low-pitched tone, ensuring a quieter and more satisfying sound compared to traditional mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch provides a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option for various users and environments. Whether you prefer the deep "thud" of the MX Silent Red or the balanced sound of the Violet Gold Pro, both switches excel in offering a pleasant auditory experience while typing.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is known for its textured sensation, providing users with a tactile feedback that adds to the typing experience. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch offers a stepped tactile feel, with a more subtle and milder bump compared to hyper-tactile switches. Whether you prefer a textured feel or a stepped sensation, both switches offer a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences in tactile feedback.
Overall, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches excel in different aspects of sound and feel, offering users a choice between a quieter typing experience or a more balanced tactile feedback. Whichever switch you choose, both options provide high-quality performance and satisfying typing experiences, ensuring that you can enjoy your mechanical keyboard to the fullest based on your personal preferences. Ultimately, whether you opt for the MX Silent Red or the Violet Gold Pro, you can expect a comparable level of quality and performance that meets your typing needs effectively.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you need a quieter option for noise-sensitive environments, the MX Silent Red is an excellent choice with its muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile. However, if you prefer a balanced tactile typing experience with a medium tactility and a neutral sound signature, the Violet Gold Pro is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize silence or tactility in your keyboard switches.
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