TTC Silent Brown vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience. The TTC Silent Brown switches cater to those who appreciate tactile feedback, offering a light-medium resistance paired with a rounded tactile bump that enhances the sensation of each keystroke, all while maintaining a muted sound profile ideal for quiet environments. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches provide a smooth, linear experience, designed for silent operation without the additional feedback of a tactile bump. With a balanced bottom-out force of 53 grams, these switches are perfect for users who favor a lighter touch and enjoy a seamless typing motion. Ultimately, your preference between a tactile sensation and a whisper-quiet linear action will guide your choice. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Silent Brown and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, it is clear that each switch utilizes different compositions that contribute uniquely to their auditory experiences. The TTC Silent Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, known for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material's propensity to resonate clearly enhances the typing experience, particularly appealing for users who enjoy audible feedback. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g employs a nylon top housing, which yields a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer quality of nylon dampens sound more thoroughly, resulting in a rounder auditory feedback that contrasts the crisper tones produced by the polycarbonate.
The bottom housings offer another layer of differentiation between these two switches. The TTC Silent Brown’s bottom housing, made of nylon, contributes to the overall deeper and fuller sound profile that is characteristic of this switch, further enhancing the softer auditory experience as one types. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g’s polycarbonate bottom housing intensifies the sharper sound profile experienced when the key is bottomed out, making the impact of each key press more pronounced. This combination of materials allows the Silent Sakura to present a more resonant and clear sound when compared to the Silent Brown, which cultivates a muted and rounded tone.
Ultimately, while the TTC Silent Brown and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g utilize different materials for their housings, they can still yield similar typing experiences due to how bottom and top housing characteristics interplay with one another. The sounds that arise from keypresses are affected variably by the materials, yet both switches adhere to the fundamental dynamics of sound generation where the bottom housing resonates and the top housing shapes the release sound. Users seeking a particular typing experience may find that experimenting with different switches could lead to comparable auditory outcomes despite the contrasting materials used. This versatility indicates that preferences may come down to individual auditory tastes and tactile sensations when typing.
Weight
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch exhibit similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to register a keystroke, making them equally manageable for extended typing sessions. However, the bottom out forces are different: the Silent Brown has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Silent Sakura measures 53 grams. This indicates that the Silent Brown is heavier overall, providing a more substantial feel when bottoming out, which some users may prefer for a stronger typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura's lower bottom out force may suit those looking for a lighter touch during gaming or long periods of typing. Therefore, while the actuation forces are aligned, the Silent Sakura is the lighter option, and the Silent Brown offers a heavier feel.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch differ in their travel distances, which can significantly impact the typing experience. The Silent Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Silent Sakura - 53g features a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that users of the Silent Sakura will experience a greater depth when pressing the key compared to the more compact 3.8 mm of the Silent Brown. For those who favor a more responsive feel and quicker actuation, the shorter distance of the TTC Silent Brown can be advantageous. Conversely, typists who appreciate a fuller, deeper press may prefer the longer travel of the HMX Silent Sakura. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for tactile feedback and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Silent Brown switches provide a notably muted audio profile, producing a softer and quieter typing experience in comparison to traditional mechanical switches. This muted quality minimizes the typical noise associated with typing, making it an appealing choice for those in shared environments or seeking a more peaceful workspace. The Silent Sakura - 53g switches, while their specific sound qualities aren't detailed, are specifically engineered to deliver an exceptionally quiet experience, likening the sound to gentle raindrops. This suggests that they would also exhibit a subdued auditory character, making both switches suitable for users prioritizing a quieter typing experience, though the Silent Sakura may lean more toward an almost enchanting whisper.
When considering the feel, the Silent Brown switches are celebrated for their buttery, mild, and polished characteristics. These qualities translate into a smooth and seamless typing sensation, providing a satisfying tactile bump that enhances the typing experience without being too harsh or pronounced. The tactile feedback is rounded and gentle, making these switches approachable for all typing styles. On the other hand, while the feel of the Silent Sakura - 53g is unspecified, one can likely expect a decent level of smoothness given that they are designed for a pleasurable typing experience. Still, without additional descriptors, it is unclear how they might compare directly to the tactile response of the Silent Brown.
In conclusion, both the TTC Silent Brown and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches cater to users seeking a quieter typing experience, but they do so with different emphases—tactility for the Silent Brown and an overall soothing sound for the Silent Sakura. The Silent Brown's buttery and polished feel coupled with its muted sound makes it a versatile choice, while the Silent Sakura, designed for whisper-quiet operation, targets those who desire subtlety in their keystrokes. Ultimately, while both will deliver a degree of silence, the tactile sensations might differ, leaving users to select based on their preference for either tactile feedback or a linear, smooth experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between TTC Silent Brown tactile switches and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switches largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you are the type of typist who enjoys a tactile experience with a satisfying feedback that allows for greater precision, particularly when typing longer documents or engaging in coding, the balanced resistance and muted sound profile of the TTC Silent Brown would be ideal for you. This switch provides a buttery and polished feel, making it comfortable for extended use while minimizing noise disturbances for those around you. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter and smoother keystroke, especially for gaming or fast typing sessions, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches could be your best bet. With a lower actuation force, these switches enable rapid key presses without the fatigue that can come from heavier switches, while their whisper-quiet design ensures that your gaming or typing remains unobtrusive. Ultimately, your decision should reflect how you type and what environments you navigate, aligning with either a tactile feedback experience or a smooth linear journey.
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