Outemu Silent Grey vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and the TTC Speed Silver offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Grey is highly praised for its quiet and tactile typing experience, featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke that provides a satisfying feel without the noise. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver is renowned for its fast and precise typing capabilities, with a light-medium resistance level and reduced travel distance for quick and effortless actuation. While the Silent Grey is ideal for those seeking a silent and tactile typing experience, the Speed Silver is perfect for individuals looking for speed and precision. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and TTC Speed Silver, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting. However, the differences between these switches lie in their bottom housings. The Silent Grey incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Speed Silver also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering similar acoustic benefits as the Silent Grey.
Despite using the same materials for their top and bottom housings, the Silent Grey and Speed Silver switches demonstrate differences in how these materials impact the overall typing experience. The bottom housing, being made of nylon for both switches, affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the top housing, constructed of polycarbonate for both switches, influences the sound when releasing a key. The stiff nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, which enhances the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Silent Grey and TTC Speed Silver share similarities in their use of polycarbonate for top housings and nylon for bottom housings, the nuances in how these materials interact with the switches result in distinct typing experiences. Both switches offer a crisp and sharp sound profile due to the polycarbonate top housing, but the differences in bottom housing material affect the depth and fullness of the sound. Whether you prefer the duller and rounder sound of the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing or the similar acoustic benefits of the Speed Silver, both switches offer a unique typing experience based on their housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Speed Silver is the lighter of the two, with a lower actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Grey, on the other hand, has a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Grey requires 50 grams of force to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, making it medium-heavy in comparison to the Speed Silver, which only requires 45 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, putting it in the medium-light category. Both switches offer a unique typing experience based on their force requirements, with the Silent Grey providing a more substantial push feel, while the Speed Silver offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, individuals should consider their preference for typing experience when choosing between these two switches. If one desires a heavier push feel, the Silent Grey would be more suitable, while those looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Speed Silver.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer than the 3.4 mm travel distance of the TTC Speed Silver linear switch. The travel distance of a switch can impact the typing experience and overall feel of a keyboard. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Speed Silver for quicker responses, while others may appreciate the deeper feel of the Silent Grey. Both switches offer a unique typing experience, with the Silent Grey providing a slightly longer distance for those who enjoy a bit more depth in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
The Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 comparing the sound of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, the Silent Grey is renowned for its quiet typing experience due to its silent design. On the other hand, the Speed Silver is described as having a neutral sound profile that is suitable for various typing environments. The actual sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its tactile feedback with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. The TTC Speed Silver switch, on the other hand, offers a more gentle typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, making it suitable for quick and effortless actuation. Additionally, the Speed Silver switch is considered polished, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, the Outemu Silent Grey and TTC Speed Silver switches offer different qualities that cater to varying preferences. Those seeking a quiet and highly tactile typing experience may prefer the Silent Grey switch, while individuals looking for a fast and precise typing experience may lean towards the Speed Silver switch. However, with both switches falling within a comfortable middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel, users can expect similar satisfactory results in typing performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Grey switch is the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a fast and precise typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the Speed Silver switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice should be based on whether you prefer a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for a satisfying, silent typing experience (Silent Grey) or a reduced travel distance for quick and effortless actuation and a polished, mild typing feel (Speed Silver). Consider your typing habits and preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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