Haimu Orange Sea vs. Outemu Cold Plum

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Haimu Orange Sea and the Outemu Cold Plum can significantly influence your typing experience. The Haimu Orange Sea switches are celebrated for their impeccably smooth keystroke and neutral sound signature, making them an ideal option for those who prefer a clean and focused typing environment. In contrast, the Outemu Cold Plum switches offer a unique blend of a thocky sound profile and durable nylon construction, providing a more pronounced auditory feedback that can be particularly satisfying for enthusiasts seeking a lively typing experience. While the Orange Sea emphasizes a gentle touch ideal for long typing sessions, the Cold Plum delivers a richer sound that enhances the tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$2.79 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The Haimu Orange Sea and the Outemu Cold Plum feature distinct materials for their top housings that significantly influence the resultant sound profile and overall user experience. The Orange Sea employs a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its rigidity and translucence, offering a sharper and crisper sound profile that is particularly suited for RGB lighting. This stiffer plastic allows for clearer resonance and produces a more pronounced auditory feedback when keys are pressed and released. In contrast, the Cold Plum uses a nylon top housing, a material recognized for its softness which absorbs sound more effectively. This leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, providing a more muted and rounded auditory experience during typing. The choice of material in the top housing distinctly delineates the auditory characteristics of each switch, highlighting how different plastics can dramatically transform sound output.

On the bottom housing front, both the Haimu Orange Sea and the Outemu Cold Plum utilize nylon materials, making for a fascinating comparison. The nylon bottom housing in both switches helps create a deeper, fuller sound profile, as this softer plastic serves to absorb sound, preventing harshness and producing a rounded auditory experience. The similarity in materials offers a sense of continuity in terms of sound characteristics, regardless of the discrepancies found in their top housing. The impact of the bottom housing is particularly noticeable during bottoming out, providing that signature plush feel during typing, which is consistent across both switches due to their shared nylon composition.

Ultimately, the overall sound and feel experienced when typing on both the Haimu Orange Sea and the Outemu Cold Plum are determined by how their differing top and bottom housing materials interact. The polycarbonate top of the Orange Sea and nylon bottom produce a dynamic contrast, resulting in a unique auditory feedback that is less present in the Cold Plum, which has both top and bottom housings made of nylon. This leads to a more cohesive sound experience, albeit one that is generally softer and rounder. Understanding how these materials complement and counterbalance one another helps in predicting the expected auditory experience, regardless of the distinctive sound profiles created by their respective top housings.

Weight

When comparing the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces can be observed. The Orange Sea features a light actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom-out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter touch, which can enhance comfort during extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Cold Plum switch has a significantly heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom-out force of 70 grams. This increased resistance can provide a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel or require more feedback with each keystroke. Consequently, users who prioritize ease of use and comfort may lean towards the lighter Orange Sea, while those who prefer a more robust tactile sensation might favor the heavier Cold Plum switch. Ultimately, these differences cater to varying user preferences in typing feel and feedback.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, there is a slight difference that may influence your choice depending on your preference for responsiveness versus depth. The Haimu Orange Sea boasts a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Cold Plum has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the Cold Plum the more responsive option, appealing to gamers who seek faster actuation times. On the other hand, the Orange Sea, with its longer travel distance, offers a more pronounced tactile experience, which some users may prefer for a deeper feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to individual preference: those seeking increased speed might gravitate towards the Cold Plum, whereas those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Orange Sea.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Haimu Orange Sea switches are characterized by a neutral sound signature, making them relatively quiet and unobtrusive during typing. This neutrality can be beneficial for users who prefer a more subdued auditory experience, especially in shared environments. In contrast, the Outemu Cold Plum switches offer a thocky sound profile, which is distinctively more resonant and satisfying, contributing to a more pronounced acoustic feedback with each keystroke. This difference means that if you're looking for an engaging auditory experience, the Cold Plum switches may be more suitable; however, both options can be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps, which also play crucial roles in the overall sound output.

In terms of feel, the Haimu Orange Sea switches provide an impeccably smooth typing experience, enhanced by what can be described as a medium tactile feedback—these switches are invigorating, delivering a snappy and reactive sensation that encourages fluid typing. Meanwhile, the specifics of the feel of the Outemu Cold Plum switches remain unspecified, leaving an undefined gap in comparison. However, considering that both switches are linear, you can expect an overall smoothness between the two; the Cold Plum switches may still provide a unique typing experience due to their fully nylon construction, adding a different texture and tactile feedback that could enhance the overall feel.

In conclusion, both the Haimu Orange Sea and Outemu Cold Plum switches present appealing qualities for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, offering different auditory and tactile experiences. The Orange Sea excels in producing a neutral sound alongside an impeccably smooth and invigorating typing feel, while the Cold Plum stands out for its satisfying thocky sound that can create an engaging acoustic environment, though its feel characteristics are less defined. Ultimately, selecting between these switches will largely depend on your preference for sound and how much you value a distinct auditory experience versus a smooth, minimalist typing sensation.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, your specific needs and preferences will play a crucial role. If you prefer a lighter touch and an incredibly smooth typing experience, the Orange Sea is likely the better option for you. Its bottom-out force of 45 grams makes it ideal for fast typists or gamers who appreciate rapid keystrokes without much resistance. The neutral sound signature adds to its flexibility, ensuring that it can complement a variety of setups without overwhelming your auditory senses. On the other hand, if you're someone who appreciates a bit more heft in your keystrokes and desires a satisfying tactile feedback, the Cold Plum's heavier 70-gram bottom-out force provides a pronounced sense of stability and control. The thocky sound profile enhances the enjoyment of each keystroke, making it a great choice for enthusiasts who crave a distinctive auditory and tactile experience. Ultimately, your decision should reflect what you enjoy most in your typing experience—whether it's the smoothness and lightness of the Orange Sea or the robust and satisfying feedback of the Cold Plum.

Mentioned in this article

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

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Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more