Cherry MX Silent Red vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the SP-Star Yanyu both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The MX Silent Red is a linear switch that is renowned for its silent operation, making it an excellent choice for those who work or game in noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu, also a linear switch, provides a delicate typing experience perfect for extended typing sessions. While the MX Silent Red is known for its slightly heftier feel and muted, low-pitched sound profile, the Yanyu offers a more neutral and feathery typing feel with a subtle, polished 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the SP-Star Yanyu switches both utilize nylon in their construction. Nylon is known for its softer plastic composition which absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, the Yanyu switch combines nylon with UHMWPE, creating a unique blend that offers a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile compared to the MX Silent Red. This difference in material composition contributes to the distinct sound characteristics of each switch.
While both switches use nylon in their bottom housing, the MX Silent Red and the Yanyu differ in their top housing materials. The MX Silent Red maintains a consistent nylon construction for both top and bottom housings, emphasizing its ability to produce a deeper and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch incorporates a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that is brighter and not particularly sharp. This variation in housing materials highlights the importance of both the top and bottom housings in shaping the overall sound experience of a switch.
The material composition of the housing in a switch plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of the keystrokes. In switches where the top and bottom housings are different, the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The impact of the bottom housing is felt during the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Understanding the nuances of housing materials can help users choose switches that best suit their preferences in terms of sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, whose actuation force is unknown. However, the Yanyu switch has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams, whereas the bottom out force for the MX Silent Red switch is not provided. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the MX Silent Red switch may be more suitable due to its lower actuation force. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the SP-Star Yanyu switch with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the user's preference for typing force.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, we find that the Silent Red has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Yanyu has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both fall within the range of typical travel distances seen in mechanical switches, with the Silent Red leaning towards the shorter end and the Yanyu towards the longer end. Gamers may prefer the Silent Red for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Yanyu. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, making it ideal for those wanting a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the satisfying mechanical keyboard sound. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch provides a neutral and thocky sound profile, catering to a wide range of users looking for a moderate sound experience. While the MX Silent Red focuses on minimizing noise, the Yanyu switch offers a crisp and satisfying typing sound. Both switches deliver on the thocky sound aspect, but the MX Silent Red stands out for its low-pitched and muted characteristics, making it a top choice for noise-sensitive environments.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as textured, indicating some friction when pressed. In contrast, the SP-Star Yanyu switch offers a mild and feathery typing experience with subtle resistance, suitable for comfortable extended typing sessions. The MX Silent Red's textured feel may appeal to users seeking a tactile response, while the Yanyu's smooth and polished finish provides a gentle and light typing feel, reducing finger fatigue and making it suitable for various typing tasks.
Overall, the Cherry MX Silent Red and SP-Star Yanyu switches each have their unique strengths in sound and feel. The MX Silent Red excels in creating a quiet typing environment with its low-pitched and muted sound, accompanied by a textured feel for tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch offers a crisp and satisfying typing sound with a mild and feathery feel for comfortable extended typing sessions. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing experience, both switches provide excellent options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, ensuring a pleasant and customizable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the MX Silent Red and the Yanyu switch will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing performance.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, you should choose the MX Silent Red if you prioritize a significantly quieter typing experience in noise-sensitive environments. The MX Silent Red's muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, along with its slightly textured feel, makes it a great choice for those who want a more discreet keyboard. On the other hand, if you prefer a light typing experience with a crisp sound profile, the Yanyu linear switch with its 43g bottom out force and feathery, subtle, polished feel is the better option. The Yanyu is suitable for long typing sessions and offers a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will come down to whether you value silence or a gentle typing experience more.
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