SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Akko Rosewood
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Akko Rosewood switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and Akko Rosewood offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Polaris Purple switch is celebrated for its pronounced tactile bump, delivering an exhilarating typing experience that many users find satisfying and engaging. Its snappy sound profile adds an auditory enjoyment to typing, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a more interactive feel. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood is characterized by its smooth, linear action and deep, thocky sound, which provides a more subtle auditory feedback, perfect for users seeking a quieter and more seamless experience. Both switches have unique appeals: the Polaris Purple excites with its tactile feedback, while the Rosewood caters to those looking for a refined, muted keystroke. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Akko Rosewood utilize distinctly different materials for their switch housings, leading to contrasting auditory and tactile experiences. The Polaris Purple is constructed with polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, which is characterized as a stiffer plastic. This material contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which is known for its softer properties. The use of nylon results in a more profound and rounded sound that absorbs vibrations more effectively, creating a distinct contrast to the clarity offered by polycarbonate. As such, the auditory experiences between the two switches will diverge significantly based on the materials selected.
Despite the differences in materials, both switches can achieve performance that caters to individual user preferences through their respective sound profiles. The polycarbonate of the Polaris Purple accommodates bright and crisp acoustics, which may be more desirable for users looking for a pronounced keypress experience, especially when RGB lighting is in play due to the material's translucency. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood, with its nylon housing, is tailored for users who prefer a fuller, more muted sound, potentially appealing to those who find comfort in softer keypress feedback. Nevertheless, if one were to use a combination of polycarbonate and nylon for a custom switch design, careful attention to housing acoustics and user preference could yield a surprisingly harmonious performance.
Ultimately, the impact of these differing materials on the typing experience can also be nuanced by the manner in which the top and bottom housings interact. For both the Polaris Purple and Akko Rosewood, the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing contributes significantly to the sound experienced when releasing a key. This means that regardless of the differing materials, users may still appreciate both switches for their respective qualities within those specific acoustic contexts. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference, with polycarbonate providing a sharper, clearer sound, while nylon favors a softer, fuller auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Polaris Purple has an unspecified actuation force but features a bottom out force of 67 grams, which categorizes it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Rosewood switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a much lighter option overall. As a result, the Rosewood switch may be preferred by those who value a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the heavier Polaris Purple might appeal more to those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Since the actuation force of the Polaris Purple is unknown, users may not achieve consistent performance compared to the Rosewood, where the parameters define expectations more clearly. Overall, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences regarding typing feel and endurance.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that users will experience a similar keypress depth when using either switch. This equal travel distance suggests that both switches will provide a comparable feel and responsiveness, allowing for a consistent typing or gaming experience. Therefore, if you're looking for a tactile response, you can expect uniformity in how far each switch will travel from the top to the bottom.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
The Akko Rosewood has an MSRP of $3.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rosewood for $3.11.
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offers a neutral profile that sits comfortably in the middle range of audio characteristics. This means that whether you're typing at home or in a more professional setting, the sound level is acceptable for most environments, making it versatile for various use cases. In comparison, the Akko Rosewood linear switch produces a deeper, more resonant thocky sound, which is further enhanced by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant. This gives the Rosewood switch a richer auditory experience right out of the box, ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic feedback while typing.
Regarding feel, the Polaris Purple excels with a clearly defined tactile bump that enhances the typing experience without being overly aggressive. It offers a mild yet polished sensation that envelops you in a smooth key travel, largely due to the refined materials and possible factory lubing. On the other hand, the feel of the Rosewood switch isn't specifically detailed, leaving some uncertainty about its tactile response. However, linear switches traditionally prioritize a smooth action without any tactile feedback, which may appeal to those who value a seamless keystroke without interruptions.
In summary, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch provides a well-rounded typing experience with its neutral sound profile and engaging tactile feedback. It strikes a balance that caters well to a diverse range of typing preferences, particularly for those who appreciate a smooth and refined feel. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood switch delivers a satisfying thocky sound and likely a smoother feel typical of linear switches, but it lacks specific details about its tactile characteristics. Depending on individual preferences, both switches can cater to different styles of typing; if you seek tactile response and moderate sound, the Polaris may be the way to go, while the Rosewood could satisfy those who favor smoothness and rich auditory feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences regarding typing experience and sound profile. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump that enhances your typing experience, the Polaris Purple is an excellent choice, especially if you appreciate a medium-heavy resistance of 67 grams that can provide a satisfying feedback with every keystroke. This switch is versatile, making it suitable for various environments, whether it's home or office, due to its mild sound profile that won't be overly disruptive. On the other hand, if you seek a lighter touch with a smooth linear action, the Akko Rosewood switch with its 50 grams of bottom-out force could be the ideal option for you. It excels in delivering a deep, thocky sound right out of the box, thanks to its factory lubricant, perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing experience with less tactile feedback. In summary, select the Polaris Purple for a more tactile and feedback-rich writing or gaming experience, whereas the Rosewood is better for a smooth, low-resistance typing session that prioritizes sound quality.
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