Outemu Crystal Brown vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, preferences can vary significantly among typists and gamers alike. The Outemu Crystal Brown switch stands out as a tactile option, providing tactile feedback that many users appreciate for its distinctive feel with each keystroke, which can enhance typing accuracy and pleasure. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offers a linear experience known for its smooth and quiet operation, making it an ideal choice for environments where noise reduction is a priority. With its lighter 53g actuation force, the Silent Sakura is designed for those who favor a softer touch and minimal resistance, perfect for extended typing sessions without fatigue. While both switches have their unique advantages, your ultimate choice will hinge on your personal preferences for tactile feedback versus a silent and smooth experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Crystal Brown Tactile

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Crystal Brown and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g keyboards each boast unique sound profiles attributable to their distinctive housing materials. The Crystal Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for enhancing higher-pitched and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. This attribute allows for a sharper acoustic response, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer a more pronounced and resonant sound when typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate housing can be beneficial for those who utilize RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic flair to the gaming or typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g opts for a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper, fuller sound profile, emphasizing a more muted and rounded auditory feedback. This differentiation is essential for users who prioritize a softer, less disruptive typing experience.

While the top housings of the two switches diverge significantly in terms of material and resulting sound characteristics, the bottom housings exhibit a similar relationship when it comes to sound absorption. The Crystal Brown's nylon bottom housing works to provide the same fuller sound profile found in the Silent Sakura - 53g's polycarbonate bottom housing, albeit in a different manner. Nylon's inherently softer composition contributes to a duller, rounder sound, making each keystroke feel more cushioned. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom in the Silent Sakura - 53g introduces a clarity and sharpness that contrasts with the richness offered by its nylon counterpart. This divergence ensures that the bottom-out sound and feel vary between the two switches, which could influence user preference based on tactile feedback.

Ultimately, the listening experience when typing on each switch will be shaped by the combination of both housing materials. With the Outemu Crystal Brown employing a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom, users will experience a split sound profile—sharp on the upstroke and deep on the bottom-out. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 53g pairs a nylon top with a polycarbonate bottom, blending a muted top response with a clearer bottom sound. For users seeking varied auditory experiences based on material qualities, either switch offers a unique combination that allows them to tailor their typing experience. The interplay of top and bottom housing materials in each switch creates a diverse range of sound characteristics, catering to different user preferences for auditory feedback and tactile sensations.

Weight

The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch exhibit some similarities in their actuation forces but differ slightly in their bottom out forces. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that users will experience a similar keystroke activation without requiring significant effort, making them suitable for extended typing sessions. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Brown requires 55 grams to fully depress the key, while the Silent Sakura bottoms out at 53 grams. This indicates that while users will experience the same initial push sensitivity, the Crystal Brown switch is slightly heavier upon bottoming out, offering a firmer feel at full depression. Overall, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch can be considered the heavier option in terms of bottom out force, while both switches fall into the medium-light category for actuation. Thus, users seeking a lighter touch may prefer the Silent Sakura switch, while those desiring a more pronounced feedback at full depression might lean toward the Crystal Brown.

Travel distance

The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch both have an identical travel distance of 4 mm, which means that users pressing either switch will experience the same distance when bottoming out. This similarity in travel distance results in a comparable feel when typing or gaming, allowing for a consistent experience regardless of the switch choice. Since both switches share this travel distance, enthusiasts looking for tactile feedback from the Crystal Brown or the smoothness of the Silent Sakura will find that their keypresses will exhibit similar responsiveness and depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch is characterized by a relatively muted sound profile, typically producing a soft thock upon actuation, which can be preferable for users working in quieter environments. In comparison, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch delivers a remarkably silent keystroke, described as a gentle rain tapping against a window. This exceptional sound dampening makes the Silent Sakura ideal for those who seek minimal auditory distraction, especially in shared or quieter settings. While the exact sound characteristics of the Crystal Brown may not be explicitly defined, users can expect a less pronounced auditory output than that of many clicky or even other tactile switches.

When it comes to feel, the Crystal Brown offers a tactile bump at the actuation point, providing typists with a discernible feedback that aids in knowing when a key has been pressed without needing to bottom out. This tactile nature is appreciated by those who enjoy a responsive typing experience. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch provides a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke without any tactile feedback, resulting in a fluid typing experience that many find pleasing for long periods of use. The difference in feel caters to different preferences; users of the Crystal Brown may enjoy the tactile response, while those who favor the Silent Sakura might appreciate the seamless motion without interruptions.

In conclusion, both the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch cater to distinct preferences in sound and feel. The Crystal Brown provides a soft thock and a tactile bump, suitable for users who enjoy feedback while typing, while the Silent Sakura offers a quiet, smooth experience, perfect for those who want to minimize noise. Each switch presents a unique typing experience, allowing users to choose based on whether they value tactile feedback or silent operation. Ultimately, both switches can deliver satisfying results, catering to varying typing styles and environments.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing style and the environment in which you will be using your keyboard. If you are someone who enjoys a tactile feedback during typing, allowing you to feel a noticeable bump with each keystroke, then the Crystal Brown would likely suit your needs. Its medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams provides a satisfying balance for both typing and gaming, enhancing your overall experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, linear typing experience and find yourself in quiet spaces—such as an office or library—the Silent Sakura switch would be the ideal pick. With its whisper-quiet operation and slightly lighter 53-gram bottom out force, this switch allows for fluid typing without disturbing those around you. Ultimately, your decision should reflect not only the feel and sound profile you desire but also the context in which you plan to use your keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Crystal Brown Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more