Jwick Semi-Silent Linear vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Brown offer distinct choices for different preferences. The Semi-Silent Linear is renowned for its innovative design, providing a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still maintaining a satisfying clacky bottom-out sound. Its smooth type feel adds to the overall pleasant experience, making it a great option for those who appreciate a subdued, neutral, or mild switch. On the other hand, the WS Brown switches showcase elegance through a unique blend of familiarity and innovation. With a medium-light actuation force, these switches strike a perfect balance between responsiveness and comfort for fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. The familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination contributes to a delightful auditory experience that enthusiasts cherish. These general pointers provide a glimpse into the characteristics of each switch, 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in terms of their housing materials. The Semi-Silent Linear features a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Brown utilizes a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer plastic composition. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the WS Brown produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its relatively softer plastic, which absorbs more sound. While both materials have their distinct sound characteristics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear offers clarity and resonance, while the nylon top housing of the WS Brown provides a rounder and duller sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches employ nylon as their housing material. Nylon is preferred in switch housing for its ability to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a relatively softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Consequently, both the Semi-Silent Linear and the WS Brown benefit from the nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a duller and rounder sound. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, highlighting the similarities in the acoustic experiences of these two switches.
In conclusion, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in their top housing materials, with the former utilizing polycarbonate and the latter opting for nylon. The polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, whereas the nylon top housing of the WS Brown offers a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar sound experience characterized by a dull and round sound. The choice of housing materials influences the overall sound profile and aesthetic appeal of these switches, providing users with distinct options based on their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, it is important to note that the exact values for the actuation force are unavailable for both switches. However, we do know that the bottom out force for the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is 62 grams, which can be considered medium in terms of heaviness. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Brown switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly lighter than the Jwick switch.
Considering weight as a factor, the lighter weight of the WS Brown switch may be preferable for those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. The reduced force requirement allows for a smoother and more effortless typing experience, minimizing strain on the fingers and helping to avoid fatigue. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals who bring their keyboards to work or engage in prolonged gaming sessions.
However, some keyboard users prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For such users, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch with its medium bottom out force of 62 grams would be a suitable option. The increased force requirement provides a tactile feedback that can result in a more satisfying and deliberate keystroke action.
Although the specific actuation forces are unknown for both switches, it can be inferred that the actuation forces of these switches are likely to be in a similar range considering their similar bottom out forces. Therefore, despite the difference in bottom out force, users can expect similar results in terms of actuation force for both the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and Wuque Studio WS Brown switches.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch is 3.7 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become popular in recent times. Shorter travel distances are favored by gamers as they allow for faster response times. So, if you prioritize quick and responsive keystrokes, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch with its 3.7 mm travel distance would be the suitable choice. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a more substantial and deeper keystroke, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch with its 3.8 mm travel distance would be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preferences regarding responsiveness and depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
The Wuque Studio WS Brown comes in at $3.50 per 10 switches.
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
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is best known for its innovative design that combines a whisper-quiet topping-out sound with a clacky bottom-out sound. This unique combination creates a subdued sound profile that is not completely silent but offers a more subtle auditory experience compared to most switches. This makes the Semi-Silent Linear switch suitable for various scenarios, whether you are a beginner or advanced, and whether you are using it at home or work. Additionally, the feel of the Semi-Silent Linear switch is described as mild, which means it offers a gentle typing experience that can be enjoyed by most users. It also has a snappy and buttery feel, providing a responsive and smooth keystroke experience. The switch's polished finish adds to the sleek typing experience by reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Brown switch is known for its elegant blend of familiarity and innovation. With a medium-light actuation force, these switches strike a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, making them ideal for fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. In terms of sound, the WS Brown switch does not have any specific descriptors or descriptions provided, so we can assume it offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most purposes. The feel of the WS Brown switch is unknown, but we can expect it to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience considering its medium-light actuation force.
In conclusion, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch and Wuque Studio WS Brown switch offer different subjective qualities. The Semi-Silent Linear switch provides a subdued sound profile with a silky smooth, mild, snappy, and buttery feel. On the other hand, the WS Brown switch offers a medium-light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, with its feel unknown. Both switches have their own unique advantages and it ultimately depends on the user's personal preferences and typing needs. However, if you prefer a more gentle and smooth typing experience, you can expect similar results with the Semi-Silent Linear switch and the WS Brown switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch might be the right choice for you. This switch offers a unique combination of a whisper-quiet topping-out sound and a clacky bottom-out sound, making it perfect for those who value a more subdued sound profile. Additionally, its silky smooth type feel ensures a pleasant typing experience without being overly polished. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch could be the better option. These switches strike a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, making them ideal for fatigue-free typing during long sessions. Furthermore, their familiar and delightful auditory experience is cherished by enthusiasts due to the nylon housing and POM stem combination. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your specific preferences for sound and feel.
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