Haimu Neo White vs. Haimu Orange Sea
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the Haimu Orange Sea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, finding the perfect fit for your typing style can significantly enhance your overall experience. The Haimu Neo White switches are renowned for their medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, which results in a unique, smooth typing feel thanks to the rare Ly stem design that ensures satisfying actuation with every keystroke. They offer a typing experience categorized as 'Mild' and 'Neutral,' making them an excellent choice for those who prefer a balanced and comfortable touch. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switches deliver an impeccably smooth typing feel coupled with a neutral sound signature, categorized as 'Accented' and 'Invigorating,' appealing to users who enjoy a more lively and dynamic feedback while typing. Both switches have their distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, yet the choice ultimately depends on individual typing habits and styles. 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
N/A
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Haimu Neo White and the Haimu Orange Sea both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, resulting in a similar sound profile characterized by clarity and sharpness. Polycarbonate is known for its stiff, durable nature, which contributes to a higher-pitched and crisper sound when keys are pressed. Its translucency is advantageous for RGB lighting integration, making it an ideal choice for a modern keyboard aesthetic. In both models, this shared top housing material ensures that users can expect a bright and resonant auditory experience.
In contrast, both the Haimu Neo White and Haimu Orange Sea feature nylon as the material for their bottom housings, which influences the deeper resonance of the switch sound. Nylon is recognized for its softer properties, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a fuller and rounder auditory experience when typing. This characteristic is particularly noticeable during a key's bottom-out sound, where the nylon bottom housing dampens sound, providing users with a satisfying and muted feedback. Despite the differences between the two switches in terms of branding or aesthetic details, the use of nylon in both models ensures a consistent deep sound profile that enhances overall keyboard performance.
As a result of these material choices, both the Neo White and the Orange Sea effectively combine the properties of polycarbonate and nylon to create a balanced sound experience. By leveraging the crispness of polycarbonate in the top housing alongside the warmth of nylon in the bottom housing, both switches offer a complementary auditory landscape. While the specific designs may vary, keyboard enthusiasts can anticipate a consistently engaging sound profile, benefiting from the strengths of each material's acoustic characteristics. Thus, whether one opts for the Neo White or the Orange Sea, the end result will be a harmonious blend of sharp highs and rounded lows, elevating the typing experience in similar ways.
Weight
When comparing the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Neo White's actuation force is unknown, while its bottom out force measures at 58 grams, indicating a medium resistance when fully depressed. In contrast, the Orange Sea features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it the lighter option overall. This means that users who prefer a more effortless keystroke will find the Orange Sea more suitable, particularly for extended typing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the Neo White, with its stronger bottom out force, will provide a more substantial feel, appealing to those who favor a firmer typing experience. Ultimately, if ease of keypress is a priority, the Orange Sea stands out as the lighter choice, while the Neo White offers more resistance at the bottom.
Travel distance
Both the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch share an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, users will experience the same amount of movement from the top to the bottom of the switch. As a result, both switches will provide a similar tactile experience in terms of how far the key needs to be pressed before bottoming out. Whether opting for the Neo White or the Orange Sea, users can expect consistent performance regarding travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70, whereas the Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79.
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 Haimu Neo White linear switch provides a neutral acoustic profile. This makes it a versatile option for various environments, perfectly catering to both beginners and more experienced users. It has a moderate actuation force requirement, allowing it to blend into standard typing scenarios without being overly intrusive. On the other hand, the specific sound qualities of the Haimu Orange Sea remain unknown, which suggests that they might share a similar versatility in sound, or could potentially differ significantly based on factors like the board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the differences between the two switches become more pronounced. The Neo White is characterized by a mild typing experience, offering a gentle touch that is generally approachable and easy to adapt to for most users. Its smooth actuation, thanks in part to the unique Ly stem, contributes to an enjoyable typing rhythm. Conversely, the Haimu Orange Sea’s feel is described as accented and invigorating. It provides a prominent amount of tactility, allowing users to experience a pronounced feedback without it becoming overwhelming. This creates an immersive sensation that is ideal for users who prefer a bit more interaction with their typing experience.
In conclusion, while both the Haimu Neo White and Orange Sea switches offer smooth actuation and an engaging typing experience, they diverge in their tactile and auditory profiles. The Neo White excels in providing a neutral sound and a mild feel, making it a great choice for versatile use. In contrast, the Orange Sea switches present a more tactile and invigorating experience, appealing to users who enjoy pronounced feedback. Choosing between them will ultimately depend on personal preferences regarding sound characteristics and tactile feedback, as each provides distinct qualities that cater to different typing styles and environments.
Conclusion
To sum up, the choice between Haimu Neo White and Haimu Orange Sea switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a medium weight and desire a smooth and slightly more refined typing experience, the Haimu Neo White switch is an excellent choice. Its 58-gram actuation force allows for a comfortable typing feel without being too heavy, making it suitable for both casual and extended typing sessions at home or work. The neutral sound profile adds to its versatility, making it a reliable option for various environments. On the other hand, if you're leaning towards a lighter touch and enjoy a more invigorating typing experience, the Haimu Orange Sea switch might be the better fit for you. With a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a pronounced tactile feedback, it provides an engaging and responsive typing sensation that can enhance your gaming or fast-paced writing tasks. Thus, consider your typing style and the environments you'll be using your keyboard in—opt for the Neo White if you want a steady, mild experience, but choose the Orange Sea if an invigorating feel and lighter touch are what you seek.
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