Haimu Orange Sea vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Haimu Orange Sea and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear represent distinct options for enthusiasts seeking a premium typing experience. The Haimu Orange Sea switches are renowned for their impeccably smooth feel and neutral sound signature, making them an excellent choice for those who prefer a quiet yet responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear stands out with its innovative design, featuring a whisper-quiet topping-out sound paired with a clacky bottom-out sound, offering a unique auditory experience while maintaining a silky smooth typing feel. While both switches provide linear characteristics suited for uninterrupted typing, their sound profiles and tactile feedback cater to different preferences—whether you're looking for a muted ambiance or a more pronounced acoustic sensation. 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

Jwick Semi-Silent Linear Linear

$2.79 per 10

$6.50

$5.27 per 10

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Housing materials

The Haimu Orange Sea and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, thereby ensuring a similar auditory experience characterized by a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This similarity arises from the properties of polycarbonate as a stiffer plastic, which enhances clarity and resonance in sound production. Furthermore, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making them ideal for RGB lighting applications, as they allow the colors to diffuse evenly and create a visually appealing display. Consequently, users of both switches can expect a comparable sound response when pressed, thanks to the congruence in the material used for the top housing.

In contrast, the two switches differentiate themselves with their bottom housings, where the Orange Sea features nylon and the Semi-Silent Linear also opts for nylon. This choice results in a distinctly fuller and deeper sound profile for both switches during typing phrases. The softness of nylon contributes to sound absorption, producing a more subdued and rounded audio experience compared to harder plastics. Given that the bottom housing plays a significant role in the feel and sound produced when the switch bottoms out, both switches may offer a satisfying tactile experience while maintaining a warmer tonal quality that is often preferred by users seeking a softer acoustic texture.

Overall, while the Haimu Orange Sea and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear share the same materials for the top housing, resulting in a unified sound profile and aesthetic appeal, they converge in their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing. This offers the users a blended auditory experience where the switch's character is shaped by a combination of crisp response from the polycarbonate top and a deeper sound profile from the nylon bottom. Thus, even with stylistic similarities, the overall richness of sound can vary depending on the interplay of these materials in each switch's unique design.

Weight

The Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch present distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different preferences among users. The Orange Sea boasts a light actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for those who favor a softer touch that allows for prolonged typing sessions without strain. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear does not have a specified actuation force but has a considerably heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a more substantial and forceful typing experience. This heavier bottom out may appeal to users who prefer a firmer feedback when typing or gaming. Therefore, while the Orange Sea switch is the lighter option, perfect for users who prioritize endurance, the Jwick switch’s heavier characteristics could attract those who appreciate more resistance in their keystrokes. Overall, the differences in these forces highlight the varying needs of users, with the Orange Sea providing ease and comfort while the Semi-Silent Linear offers a more pronounced tactile experience.

Travel distance

The Haimu Orange Sea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Jwick switch provides a more pronounced key press, potentially appealing to users who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Orange Sea switch may cater to those who favor quicker and more responsive actions, which is often preferred by gamers for faster response times. Thus, while both switches offer a close experience in terms of activation, the Orange Sea is the shorter option, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is the longer one, providing a subtle difference that can significantly impact user preference based on typing style.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch provides a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for a variety of environments, whether at home or in an office setting. Its overall sound can be described as balanced, neither overly loud nor too quiet, which allows for pleasant typing without disturbing others. In contrast, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch features a more subdued acoustic profile with a whisper-quiet topping out, allowing for minimal noise as keys reset. However, it still delivers a clacky bottom-out sound, creating a distinctive auditory experience when keys are fully pressed. This means that while the Orange Sea maintains a consistent sound level, the Semi-Silent Linear allows for a more nuanced listening experience, albeit with some variety brought by its unique sound characteristics.

Regarding feel, the Haimu Orange Sea is recognized for its impeccably smooth typing experience, allowing users to glide from key to key with ease and comfort. This smoothness enhances the typing experience, making it conducive to longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear boasts a combination of traits that includes a mild touch for gentle typing, along with snappy responsiveness, buttery smoothness, and a polished finish. These features contribute to a feeling that is both approachable and refined, allowing typists to enjoy precise keystrokes without harsh feedback. The tactile experience of the Semi-Silent Linear may provide more engagement during typing, appealing to users who appreciate a responsive switch.

In summary, both the Haimu Orange Sea and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches offer smoothness, but they diverge in their sound profiles and tactile feedback. The Orange Sea provides a neutral auditory experience and an impeccably smooth feel, suitable for various typing environments. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear switch combines gentle, snappy, and polished characteristics along with its unique sound dynamics, making it an innovative option for those seeking a quieter yet dynamic experience. While the two switches cater to slightly different preferences in sound and feel, they can both provide satisfying typing experiences in their own right.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Haimu Orange Sea and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you prefer a lighter touch and a wonderfully smooth typing feel, the Orange Sea with its 45-gram bottom-out force might be the better option for you. This switch is particularly advantageous for long typing sessions, as its smoothness can enhance comfort, making it an excellent choice for both casual use and dedicated typing tasks. Conversely, if you value a bit more feedback while typing and don't mind a slightly higher actuation force—62 grams in this case—the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear could serve you well. Its unique semi-silent design offers a balance of subdued sound with a clacky bottom-out, giving an engaging typing experience that can work effectively in both quieter and more active environments. Moreover, if you tend to type quickly or prefer a snappier response, the Semi-Silent Linear could provide the excitement your hands crave. Ultimately, your decision should reflect both your tactile preferences and the sound profile that fits your daily activities, whether at home or in a more professional setting.

Mentioned in this article

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Jwick Semi-Silent Linear Linear

$6.50

$5.27 per 10

Learn more