SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Brown are two popular options to consider. The Polaris Purple is best known for its big tactile bump, providing an exhilarating typing experience. This switch has a snappy sound profile and falls under the categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Silent Brown switches by TTC offer a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. What sets them apart is their muted sound profile, which many users appreciate. The Silent Brown switches are categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Brown have similar housing materials in their polycarbonate top housings. Both switches utilize polycarbonate to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the overall design. Therefore, users can expect comparable results in terms of sound quality and appearance when it comes to the polycarbonate top housings of these switches.
However, where these two switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Silent Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Polaris Purple offers similar characteristics to its top housing, contributing to a sharper and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Brown creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This disparity in housing materials results in different bottom-out sound and feel experiences between the two switches.
It is worth noting that the top housing of a switch has more influence on the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Therefore, users can expect a distinction in sound and tactile feedback between the top and bottom housing of these switches. Despite this discrepancy, both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Brown provide unique characteristics and deliver quality performance, making them notable options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Polaris Purple's actuation force is unavailable, while the Silent Brown requires a gentle 45 grams of force for actuation. This means that the Silent Brown switch will offer a lighter touch and potentially allow for longer typing periods without fatigue. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Polaris Purple is slightly heavier with a force of 67 grams compared to the Silent Brown's 63.5 grams. Therefore, if you prefer a switch with a more substantial typing experience, the Polaris Purple might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you value a lighter touch for extended periods, the Silent Brown would be a suitable option. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy range for bottom out force, so users can expect similar results in terms of key travel and feedback. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on individual preferences and typing habits.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switches, it is evident that the Polaris Purple has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Brown has a slightly shorter distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Polaris Purple being closer to the average. The difference between the two may not be significant to most users, but for gamers seeking faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Brown may be preferable. On the other hand, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance to feel abrupt and prefer the slightly longer travel distance of the Polaris Purple for a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for responsiveness or a deeper key press.
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 TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $5.00.
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
In terms of sound, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offers a snappy sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a satisfying and responsive sound that adds a sense of liveliness to your typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is known for its muted sound profile. This means that the switch produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The muted sound of the Silent Brown switches allows for a more discreet typing experience, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the type of keyboard or keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. The mild characteristic of these switches means that they provide a gentle and approachable typing experience, suitable for most users. The polished finish of the Polaris Purple switches adds to the overall sleekness and smoothness of key travel, reducing friction and enhancing the typing experience. Similarly, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is also described as mild and polished in terms of feel. This means that the Silent Brown switches offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The smooth and refined finish of the Silent Brown switches results in a seamless and effortless keystroke experience.
Taking into account the available information, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. However, both switches provide a satisfying tactile bump and a comfortable typing experience. If you are looking for a tactile switch with a livelier sound profile, the Polaris Purple would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience, the Silent Brown switches are an excellent option. In terms of feel, both switches offer a mild and polished typing experience, ensuring comfort and smooth key travel. Overall, whether you choose the Polaris Purple or the Silent Brown switches, you can expect similar levels of tactile satisfaction and a pleasant typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a snappy sound profile and an exhilarating tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is the one for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, it offers a medium-heavy resistance that adds to the satisfying feel. Additionally, the Polaris Purple switch is known for its mild and polished qualities, providing a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a lighter level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is the ideal choice. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, it falls within the medium-heavy range, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. The Silent Brown switch excels in creating a muted sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Moreover, it also shares the mild and polished qualities of the Polaris Purple switch, offering approachable sound and feel characteristics.
Ultimately, your choice between the SP-Star Polaris Purple and TTC Silent Brown switches will depend on your personal preferences. Whether you prioritize a snappy sound profile and exhilarating tactile experience or a muted sound profile and comfortable typing sensation, both switches guarantee a quality typing experience.
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