Akko Rosewood vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the Akko Rosewood and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, the Akko Rosewood and the Dareu Sky V4 switches provide compelling options for enthusiasts seeking a satisfying typing experience. The Akko Rosewood is celebrated for its deep, thocky sound, enhanced by a factory-applied lubricant that ensures a smooth operation right out of the box. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 stands out due to its innovative use of POK material in its top housing, delivering a smooth linear action and a deeper sound signature that typists find incredibly gratifying. While both switches cater to a preference for linear feel and rich auditory characteristics, their unique designs and acoustic profiles offer subtle distinctions that could sway your choice depending on personal taste. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Akko Rosewood and Dareu Sky V4 switches showcase distinct materials for their top and bottom housings that contribute to their overall sound profiles and typing experiences. The Rosewood utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a material known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer plastic construction allows it to absorb sound effectively, leading to a duller and rounder auditory experience. This characteristic makes the Rosewood a favorable option for typists who prioritize a more muted, acoustically rich feel as they type.
In contrast, the Dareu Sky V4 features a combination of POK material for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. The POK material is celebrated for its smoothness and exceptional durability; its increased wear resistance and shock absorption make it an attractive choice for high-performance switches. While the POK top contributes to a clacky sound and smooth keystrokes, the nylon bottom housing still retains those sought-after, deeper sound qualities. This means that while the typing experience on the Sky V4 may feel slightly different due to the POK top, the bottom housing's nylon ensures consistency in the sound profile that resembles that of the Rosewood.
Ultimately, despite the differences in materials, the two switches can yield similar results in terms of auditory experience, thanks to the shared nylon in their bottom housings. With both switches using nylon, typists can expect a rich, deeper tone upon bottoming out, while the variances in the top housing materials affect the overall sound profile as the key is released. Consequently, while each switch offers unique tactile feedback and auditory experiences, they also share compatibility in sound depth and resonance, making them appealing to users who appreciate nuanced auditory qualities in their keyboards.
Weight
The Akko Rosewood linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch present notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Rosewood switch features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer an effortless typing experience that allows for extended use without fatigue. In contrast, the Dareu Sky V4 requires a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, positioning it in the medium-light range. This means that the Sky V4 may provide a more substantial feel during typing, appealing to those who favor a firmer push. Ultimately, while both switches offer a good typing experience, the Akko Rosewood is the lighter option, making it more conducive for long sessions, whereas the Dareu Sky V4 provides a bit more resistance for users who prefer a heavier switch feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Rosewood linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, the differences are quite notable. The Rosewood features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it one of the more traditional options that provides a deeper keypress, which some users may find more satisfying during typing or gaming. In contrast, the Dareu Sky V4 has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, appealing to those who prefer quicker response times that can be beneficial in fast-paced gaming scenarios. Therefore, if you're looking for a more responsive feel, the Sky V4 would be the preferable choice due to its shorter travel distance, while the Rosewood would be better for those who appreciate a greater depth in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the difference in travel distances between these switches caters to varying user preferences, with the Rosewood having a longer travel distance and the Sky V4 being shorter.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Dareu Sky V4 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V4 for $4.76.
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 profiles of the Akko Rosewood and Dareu Sky V4 linear switches, both offer enjoyable auditory experiences, though they achieve this in subtly different ways. The Rosewood switch is best noted for its deep and satisfying thocky sound, created by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant that enhances its acoustic properties straight out of the box. This results in a pronounced, rich thock that many typists find pleasing. On the other hand, the Sky V4 produces a low-pitched and deeper sound signature, complemented by its innovative POK material in the top housing. This switch leans towards a softer "thud" or gentle "knock," providing a balanced sound that remains neutral enough to be versatile for various typing environments. While the Rosewood excels in producing a thocky effect, the Sky V4's sound is still rich, adding a slightly different but equally satisfying auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the Akko Rosewood switch information is not specified, leaving us to consider it somewhat open to interpretation. However, the Sky V4 switch is distinctly characterized by its bouncy feel, offering a dynamic and elastic feedback sensation when keys are pressed. This bounciness can create an engaging typing experience, as typists can expect a lively response from the keys. The difference in feel may lead to unique preferences; thus, those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback may lean toward other options, while fans of a supportive bounce may prefer the Sky V4.
In summary, while the Akko Rosewood and Dareu Sky V4 linear switches both aim to deliver a pleasurable typing experience, they do so through different acoustic and tactile characteristics. The Rosewood excels with its deep thocky sound, appealing to those who favor a pronounced auditory feedback. In contrast, the Sky V4 offers a unique, bouncy feel along with a deep and rich sound signature, making it versatile for various typing scenarios. Ultimately, your choice may come down to personal preference based on desired sound and feel qualities, but both switches promise satisfying results suitable for either casual typists or serious gamers.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Akko Rosewood linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you're drawn to a lighter actuation force, appreciate a satisfying “thocky” sound profile straight out of the box, and prefer a switch that offers a smooth and reactive typing experience, the Rosewood is likely the better choice for you. Its 50-gram bottom-out force and deep, pleasing acoustics make it ideal for long typing sessions, particularly if you're someone who enjoys a more tactile auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer key feel with a 55-gram bottom-out force and seek a switch that delivers a deeper sound signature with a bouncy feel, the Sky V4 will likely serve you well. The innovative POK material enhances its acoustic properties, making it a fantastic option for a rich and enjoyable typing experience, whether for work or leisure. In the end, it’s all about what experience you prioritize—lightness and sound with the Rosewood, or a bouncier feel and deep tones with the Sky V4.
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