Gateron Quinn vs. Akko Rosewood

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can dramatically influence your typing experience, and two popular options worth considering are the Gateron Quinn and the Akko Rosewood. The Quinn switch stands out with its tactile feedback, offering a light yet crisp tactile bump paired with a deep, resonant sound profile that creates an engaging auditory experience. The specially designed nylon housings contribute to its polished and bouncy feel, making it ideal for those who appreciate a tactile sensation along with a character-rich sound with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood switch excels with its linear design, delivering a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke journey. This switch produces a satisfying thocky sound that enhances the typing experience, especially due to its factory-applied lubricant, which ensures a pleasant and quiet operation. Choosing between the tactile delight of the Gateron Quinn and the smooth, sonorous Akko Rosewood ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique typing style.

By the numbers

Gateron Quinn Tactile

Akko Rosewood Linear

$6.00

$5.50 per 10

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the Gateron Quinn and Akko Rosewood, it’s notable that both switches utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings. This commonality suggests that users can expect a similar typing experience from both switches, primarily due to the inherent acoustic properties of nylon. The material’s softer characteristic allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, absorbing sound effectively and resulting in a rounder and more muted auditory feedback. This means that regardless of the specific branding, these switches are likely to produce a similar sound quality because both feature identical housing materials that contribute to this acoustic design.

Despite the differences in branding and perhaps tactile feel, the identical housing types lead to an overlapping performance profile. Since both the Quinn and Rosewood switches employ nylon for their constructions, the typing feel is expected to remain congenial across both models. Each switch will absorb vibrations similarly, comparing notes on the impact of bottoming out and top housing sounds. As a result, users looking for a soft, dampened experience will find that both types yield the characteristics essential to creating an efficient typing environment devoid of excess noise.

However, there is room for differentiation based on the overall experience provided by each switch's design, despite the shared materials. While the top housings play a significant role in the sound upon releasing a key, and the bottom housings impact the feel during activation, any unique design features or technological variations between the two brands can still create distinct sensations. Therefore, even though the Quinn and Rosewood switches utilize the same nylon material for their housings, the nuanced implementation of these materials may lead to slight variations in tactile response or sound, allowing for subjective preferences among users.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Quinn has a higher actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Rosewood features a significantly lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, falling into the light switch category. This disparity means that users who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions may gravitate towards the Rosewood, while those seeking a more substantial and tactile typing experience might prefer the heavier Quinn. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference for weight and tactile feedback, with the Quinn being the heavier option and the Rosewood the lighter one.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, the distinction is clear: the Quinn has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Rosewood features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference suggests that the Quinn may offer a more responsive feel, aligning with the preferences of gamers who favor quicker key presses. In contrast, the Rosewood's deeper travel distance could appeal to users who appreciate a more tactile experience, providing a satisfying depth when pressing the keys. Overall, if you desire a faster response time, the Gateron Quinn would be the better choice, whereas the Akko Rosewood is ideal for those who prefer a more robust keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Quinn switches deliver a uniquely rich auditory experience. Their combination of a deep and resonant sound profile, described as both bassy and clacky, creates an immersive atmosphere that many users find enjoyable. Each keystroke produces a clean, crisp, and precise tactile bump that resonates deeply, making it feel more engaging. In contrast, while the Akko Rosewood switches also produce a satisfying sound, their notable feature is the thocky quality that comes directly from a factory-applied lubricant. While specific descriptors for the Rosewood sound profile are not available, one can expect the sound to complement a wide range of typing experiences. Although both switches aim to create a pleasurable sound, the Quinn leans heavily into a bassy, resonant experience, while the Rosewood may be more subdued and thocky.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Quinn switches shine with their collection of tactile characteristics. They offer a snappy and responsive feedback, which is accentuated by their polished finish and overall smoothness. Users can expect a bouncy sensation from the springs, along with a refined keystroke experience that feels both fluid and lively. The tactile bump is accentuated enough to provide a medium level of feedback without being overwhelming. On the other hand, details about the feel of the Akko Rosewood switches are not provided. However, if crafted well, linear switches like the Rosewood typically strive for smoothness without tactile feedback, offering a different but enjoyable typing experience.

In summary, the Gateron Quinn switches provide a more defined sound and tactile experience with their bassy resonance and a pronounced tactile bump, making them ideal for those who appreciate auditory feedback in conjunction with a lively typing feel. Meanwhile, the Akko Rosewood switches, with their thocky auditory character, may appeal to those seeking understated smoothness without tactile interruptions. While both switches offer unique qualities, your preference for sound and feel will ultimately guide your choice in the mechanical keyboard landscape.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing between the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and what you value in your keyboard experience. If you appreciate a more substantial feel in your keystrokes, the Quinn's medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams, combined with its unique tactile feedback and rich sound profile, would likely appeal to you. The snappy and bouncy characteristics of the Quinn can enhance your typing speed and responsiveness while also providing a satisfying acoustic depth that adds character to each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smoother typing experience, the Akko Rosewood, with its 50 grams bottom-out force, is the more suitable option. The Rosewood's linear switch design offers a buttery fluidity that allows for effortless typing, along with its deep, thocky sound which enhances the overall auditory feedback without the tactile bump. In essence, your choice should hinge on whether you're seeking that tactile feedback and richer sound from the Quinn, or if you desire the smooth, effortless typing with a satisfying noise from the Rosewood. Both switches have their unique features, and your individual preference will guide you to the right one for your setup.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Quinn Tactile

$6.00

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Akko Rosewood Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more