HMX Silent Sakura - 53g vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch to enhance your typing experience, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Haimu Viola Tricolor present two distinct paths. The Silent Sakura, known for its whisper-quiet performance, boasts a lightly balanced 53g bottom-out force, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a smooth, unobtrusive keystroke reminiscent of rain gently pattering against a window. This linear switch is perfect for typists seeking a serene environment without sacrificing satisfaction in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor offers a completely different character with its pronounced tactility and thuddy sound profile. It provides a satisfying punch that adds vibrancy to your typing, making it suitable for users who appreciate clear feedback without being overwhelmed by the switch's responsiveness. While the Silent Sakura excels in quietude and fluidity, the Viola Tricolor stands out with its engaging tactile response. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Haimu Viola Tricolor exhibit contrasting choices in housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Silent Sakura features a nylon top housing, known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic emerges from nylon's softer composition, which helps absorb sound vibrations and produce a relatively muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor's top housing is made from polycarbonate, a material that generates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature, allowing for clearer resonance. This inherent difference suggests that those preferring a rounded auditory experience may gravitate towards the Silent Sakura, while enthusiasts of a crisp and bright sound might enjoy the Viola Tricolor more.
Looking at the bottom housings, the configurations are reversed between the two switches. The Silent Sakura sports a polycarbonate bottom housing, leveraging the same properties it does in the Viola Tricolor's top housing to provide a high-pitched and resonant sound profile when bottoming out. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor employs a nylon bottom housing that enhances the overall sound with its deeper and rounder characteristics. While the top housing defines the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing dictates the sound and feel when the key is pressed down. This interplay of materials showcases how each switch can provide a unique experience despite having swapped materials.
Ultimately, typing on both switches can yield similar results in the fullness of sound due to their construction nuances. The differences in top and bottom housing materials create a diversified merging of auditory experiences, allowing users to appreciate both deep and sharp sound profiles in a single action. Thus, while the individual sound signatures may differ, by understanding how the materials interact within each switch's structure, users can find satisfaction in the complex interplay of softness and clarity each switch provides during use.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Sakura has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This allows for easier key presses, making it ideal for users who prefer longer typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor does not have a specified actuation force but has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy. This heavier bottom out pressure suggests that it may provide a more substantial feel, appealing to those who enjoy a firmer key response. As a result, the Silent Sakura is the lighter switch overall, making it better suited for prolonged use, while the Viola Tricolor offers a heftier typing experience for those who prefer additional resistance.
Travel distance
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This difference means that those who opt for the Silent Sakura switch will experience a more extended depth when pressing down, which can lend a sense of stability and heft that some typists prefer. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Viola Tricolor switch may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, as it allows for quicker key actuation. This preference for a shallower switch might be beneficial in fast-paced gaming scenarios, but it could feel too abrupt for users who enjoy a more substantial keystroke. Overall, if you're looking for a switch with greater travel, the Silent Sakura is the clear choice, while the Viola Tricolor caters to those favoring speed and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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
The sound profile of the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch is characterized by its whisper-quiet performance, producing a gentle noise that resembles soft raindrops tapping against a window. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise reduction is a priority, allowing typists to enjoy a serene typing experience without disturbing others. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a more pronounced audio presence, described as thuddy and punchy. This switch produces a bassy, low-pitched sound that adds a rich depth to each keystroke. While selecting a keyboard and keycaps will also influence the final sound, the Viola Tricolor’s prominent audio makes it suitable for those who appreciate a more vibrant acoustic feedback while typing.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Sakura - 53g provides a smooth and light typing experience, designed for those who prefer a subtle yet satisfying keystroke without any tactile bump. In comparison, the Viola Tricolor offers a more invigorating tactile sensation, delivering medium tactile feedback that strikes a balance between being pronounced enough to be enjoyable without becoming overwhelming. The accented nature of the Viola Tricolor adds a dynamic layer to the typing experience, enhancing the engagement of each keystroke while the Silent Sakura focuses on providing a fluid and noise-free operation.
In summary, both the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard space. The Silent Sakura excels in providing a quiet, smooth typing experience suitable for noise-sensitive environments, while the Viola Tricolor offers a more vibrant sound and tactile feedback that appeals to users seeking a richer typing experience. Depending on your needs—whether it’s silence or tactile satisfaction—you can select the switch that best aligns with your typing style.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you seek a whisper-quiet experience, particularly in shared or quiet spaces, the Silent Sakura – with its 53g bottom out force and smooth feel – will be ideal for you. These switches are perfect for those who prefer a lighter keystroke, allowing for faster typing without the distraction of noise. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more tactile and audible feedback while typing, the Haimu Viola Tricolor, with its medium-heavy 63.5g bottom out force and distinctly bassy sound profile, will cater to your needs. These tactile switches deliver a satisfying thump that can enhance your writing experience, especially if you appreciate that immersive interaction with each key press. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you value quiet and light action or pronounced feedback and a richer sound in your typing experience.
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