Durock Sea Glass vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Brown. The Sea Glass is a linear switch, while the Silent Brown is a tactile switch. Both switches offer their own unique advantages and qualities. The Sea Glass stands out for its captivating selection of pastel colors and distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in its typing experience. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, it possesses a weightlessness that defies expectations, making it easy to press. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Silent Brown provides a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. It also boasts a muted sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Brown have different housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Sea Glass features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, while the Silent Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The Sea Glass's blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is bright but not sharp, whereas the Silent Brown's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting, which is an aesthetic advantage. However, both switches provide a unique sound experience due to their contrasting top housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Sea Glass again incorporates the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, which adds to its overall sound profile. The blend produces a slightly brighter sound that is still pleasant to the ear. On the other hand, the Silent Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. While the Sea Glass emphasizes brightness, the Silent Brown focuses more on depth and fullness.
When considering the overall typing experience, the top and bottom housings play distinct roles. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. This means that with the Silent Brown, the nylon bottom housing will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound when typing. On the other hand, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when letting go of a key. Thus, the Sea Glass's blend and the Silent Brown's polycarbonate will contribute to the sound profile in different ways, providing unique typing experiences.
In conclusion, while the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Brown switches have different housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend create a brighter sound, while the Silent Brown's polycarbonate produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Similarly, the Sea Glass's blend in the bottom housing adds to its overall pleasant sound, whereas the Silent Brown's softer nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. The top and bottom housings of each switch also play distinct roles in the overall typing experience. Therefore, while there are similarities in the pleasantness of the sound produced, the distinct housing materials of each switch contribute to their individual sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, we find that they have similar actuation forces of 45 grams. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both switches. However, when it comes to bottoming out, there is a slight difference between the two. The Sea Glass has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which can be considered medium, while the Silent Brown has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy range.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Sea Glass switch more suitable. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces provide a smoother and potentially less fatiguing typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial push feel may lean towards the Silent Brown switch. Its slightly heavier bottom out force offers a more pronounced tactile feedback, giving a stronger and more satisfying typing experience overall.
In summary, while the actuation forces of the Sea Glass and Silent Brown switches are the same, the Silent Brown has a slightly heavier bottom out force. This distinction in weight can affect the typing experience, with the Sea Glass switch being lighter and more effortless, while the Silent Brown switch offers a bit more resistance and a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on individual preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance, both measuring at 3.8 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. The advantage of this is that you can expect similar responsive typing experiences from both switches. It is worth noting that a 3.8 mm travel distance is considered to be within the standard range for most mechanical switches. So, whether you choose the Durock Sea Glass or the TTC Silent Brown, you can expect a comfortable typing experience without any significant difference in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer a uniquely hollow sound signature, which adds to the distinct typing experience they provide. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switches are known for their muted sound profile. This means that they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Sea Glass switches are described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. They have a mild typing feel, falling in the safe, middle-ground zone. Additionally, these switches are feathery, meaning they are exceptionally light to press and require little exertion from the fingers. This feature reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switches provide a buttery typing experience. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Similar to the Sea Glass switches, the Silent Brown switches also have a mild typing feel, making them approachable to most users. Additionally, they are described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switches offer different subjective qualities. The Sea Glass switches provide a distinct dry, wispy, and airy sound with a hollow sound signature. They have a frictionless and feathery feel, making them effortless to type on. On the other hand, the Silent Brown switches offer a muted sound profile with a buttery and polished feel that provides smooth and uniform keystrokes.
If you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Silent Brown switches would be a good choice. If you prefer a unique sound and a weightless, frictionless feel while typing, the Sea Glass switches would be more suitable. Both switches offer qualities that enhance the typing experience, and depending on personal preference, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique and captivating switch with a distinct dry and airy typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. Despite its medium bottom-out force, these switches offer a weightless feel that defies expectations, making them ideal for those seeking a frictionless typing experience. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches produce a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds to their overall appeal. On the other hand, if you prioritize a comfortable typing experience with a rounded tactile bump and a slightly heavier resistance, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a satisfying level of resistance and a muted sound profile, making them suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the Sea Glass and Silent Brown switches comes down to your personal preferences and desired typing experience.
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