Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Outemu Phoenix
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Phoenix switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Outemu Phoenix are popular options to consider. The Silent Yellow Jade is known for offering a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its unique translucent jade yellow housing and subtle tactile bump. On the other hand, the Phoenix stands out with its under-skirt click mechanism, providing a truly unique clicky typing experience with a crystalline and sparkling sound profile. While the Silent Yellow Jade is ideal for those seeking a quieter tactile switch, the Phoenix appeals to those who enjoy a more pronounced and clicky feel. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The main difference between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Phoenix lies in their housing materials. The Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Phoenix uses a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, polycarbonate produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic nature, leading to a clearer and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that want to incorporate RGB lighting for a more visually appealing experience.
While the Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Phoenix have different top and bottom housing materials, they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience in their own unique ways. The nylon bottom housing of the Silent Yellow Jade contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when keys are pressed, creating a more satisfying typing experience. Similarly, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Phoenix provides a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound, giving users a different tactile feedback compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. On the other hand, the top housing material plays a crucial role in the sound produced when keys are released, with the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the Phoenix's polycarbonate, which produces a clear and resonant sound.
In terms of overall performance and sound profile, the choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Phoenix comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile with a softer typing experience, the Silent Yellow Jade with its nylon housing might be the better option for you. However, if you enjoy a sharper and crisper sound profile with a more tactile feel, the Outemu Phoenix's polycarbonate housing might be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of the choice made.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, it is evident that there are differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Yellow Jade has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Phoenix, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Yellow Jade is slightly heavier at 65 grams, while the Phoenix has a bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke and bottom out, providing users with a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Phoenix offers a lighter typing feel, which may be preferred by individuals who type for longer periods or engage in extended gaming sessions. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of the two switches offer users the option to choose between a medium-heavy or medium typing experience based on their preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users can expect a consistent distance traveled from top to bottom. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches ensures that users will get similar results in terms of key feel and actuation depth. Overall, whether opting for the Silent Yellow Jade or the Phoenix, users can enjoy the same tactile experience with the knowledge that the travel distance remains consistent.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10, whereas the Outemu Phoenix comes in at $4.15.
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 Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet and "thocky" typing experience, making it ideal for those looking for a more subdued sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch is known for its crunchy and satisfying click that is reminiscent of stepping on autumn leaves. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so the choice between the two would depend on whether you prefer a quiet or clicky typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is praised for its tactile bump and smooth key travel, giving typists a satisfying typing experience with each keystroke. In contrast, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience due to factory lubrication and reduced friction. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Silent Yellow Jade focuses on the tactile bump, while the Phoenix provides a smoother key travel experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Outemu Phoenix switches both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Yellow Jade is best suited for those looking for a quiet and tactile typing experience, with a thocky sound and satisfying tactile bump. On the other hand, the Phoenix clicky switch appeals to those who enjoy a crunchy and clicky typing experience, with a polished feel and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in sound and feel, ensuring that typists can find the perfect switch to suit their typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Outemu Phoenix switches, you should consider the differences in their sound and feel profiles. If you are looking for a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique clicky switch that offers a crunchy sound profile and a polished typing experience, then the Phoenix switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
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