TTC Silent Brown vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a multitude of options available on the market. Two switches that stand out are the TTC Silent Brown, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Yellow Silver, a linear switch. Each switch offers a unique typing experience and sound profile, making them suitable for different preferences and use cases. The Silent Brown provides a comfortable typing experience with its light-medium level of resistance and pleasing rounded tactile bump. Additionally, its muted sound profile makes it an excellent choice for those who value a quieter working environment. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is renowned for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it particularly favorable for gamers and typists who prioritize speed and responsiveness. However, to truly determine the best switch for your needs, it is important to delve deeper into their characteristics, ensuring a personalized and optimal choice.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Silent Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches will provide similar sound profiles and aesthetic benefits due to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, the bottom housings of the Silent Brown and Yellow Silver differ, with the Silent Brown utilizing a nylon bottom housing and the Yellow Silver featuring the same material. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer plastic properties. It absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, while the top housings may provide a similar sound experience, the bottom housings will contribute unique qualities to the Silent Brown and Yellow Silver switches.
When it comes to typing on switches with different top and bottom housings, the characteristics brought by each housing material will be distributed accordingly. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, meaning that the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Brown will provide a deeper and fuller typing experience. Conversely, the top housing will influence the sound when a key is released. Thus, the polycarbonate top housing of both switches will contribute to a sharper and crisper sound when keys are lifted.
In summary, while the TTC Silent Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver share similar sound profiles and aesthetic advantages due to their polycarbonate top housings, their nylon bottom housings offer distinct typing experiences. The Silent Brown's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, while the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound. The combination of these housing materials results in unique qualities when typing on the switches, making each switch stand out in its own way.
Weight
In comparing the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both switches. This similarity ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of initial activation. However, when it comes to bottoming out, there is a distinction. The Silent Brown has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it slightly heavier than the actuation force. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it lighter than the actuation force. This means that when typing on the Silent Brown, there will be a greater resistance and a more substantial feel when pressing the keys all the way down compared to the Yellow Silver, which will provide a lighter and potentially more comfortable typing experience. The Silent Brown is considered medium-heavy in terms of bottom out force, while the Yellow Silver is medium-light. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences, with the Silent Brown offering a heavier and more substantial feel, and the Yellow Silver providing a lighter and potentially more effortless typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have different travel distances. The Silent Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Yellow Silver has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Yellow Silver falls within the more common range of 4.0 mm, while the Silent Brown is slightly shallower at 3.8 mm. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances have gained popularity, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. In this case, the Silent Brown would be a suitable choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper key press may find the 4 mm travel distance of the Yellow Silver to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice of switch depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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 Silent Brown tactile switch is best known for its comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. It offers a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. In terms of feel, the Silent Brown switch is often described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a mild typing experience, which is approachable to most users due to its safe middle-ground characteristics. Additionally, the switch is polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel for a sleek typing experience.
On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile. It is favored by gamers and typists who prefer a speediness and responsiveness in their keystrokes. However, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Yellow Silver switch.
In conclusion, the Silent Brown and Yellow Silver switches offer different subjective qualities. The Silent Brown provides a comfortable and quiet typing experience with a rounded tactile bump and a muted sound profile. It has a buttery, mild, and polished feel, ensuring smooth and effortless keystrokes. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch offers a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for gamers and those who prioritize speed and responsiveness. While the specifics of its feel are unknown, it can be assumed that the Yellow Silver switch offers a smoother linear keystroke. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique features and are suitable for different preferences and typing styles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is a great choice. These switches offer a buttery, mild, and polished feel, providing a smooth and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the muted sound profile of the Silent Brown switches minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is the way to go. With a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, these switches are favorable for gamers and typists who want a more speedy and reactive keyboard experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and the specific tasks you plan to use your mechanical keyboard for.
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