HMX Silent Sakura - 53g vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro can significantly shape your typing experience. The Silent Sakura switches are celebrated for their whisper-quiet operation, delivering a serene and almost meditative typing experience that feels like gentle raindrops falling against a window. With a balanced 53g bottom-out force, they cater to users who appreciate a light touch and an overall smooth keystroke, making them ideal for long typing sessions in shared or quiet environments. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches provide a tactile feedback that many typists love, characterized by a medium tactility and a neutral sound profile. These switches strike a balance between a satisfying sensation upon activation and a relatively quiet operation, appealing to those who want the best of both worlds without being overly noisy. Each switch brings its unique set of advantages, appealing to different preferences and needs. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro utilize distinctly different materials for their top switch housings, resulting in contrasting acoustic profiles and tactile experiences during typing. The Silent Sakura features a nylon top housing, which is recognized for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon's inherent softness, allowing it to absorb more sound waves than harder plastics. Consequently, users may find that typing on the Silent Sakura elicits a more muted and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro boasts a polycarbonate top housing known for its sharpness and clarity. Its stiffer structure creates a high-pitched, crisp sound profile that resonates more clearly, making it particularly appealing for users who prioritize pronounced auditory feedback when typing.
Interestingly, the bottom housings of both switches exhibit the opposite material characteristics, which further enhances the contrasting auditory experience. The Silent Sakura's bottom housing is made of polycarbonate, providing the same crispness and clarity that characterizes its top housing. This material choice ensures that the bottom-out sound is bright and clear, thereby enhancing the typing experience with a more resonant feedback. Conversely, the Violet Gold Pro incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which introduces a deeper, fuller sound when the key is pressed down. This blend of materials effectively modifies how each switch sounds upon bottoming out and when released, demonstrating how crucial the bottom housing is in shaping the overall tactile feedback and acoustic performance.
Despite these material differences, both switches can yield similar results when the top and bottom housings are strategically combined. The Silent Sakura's nylon top, when paired with the polycarbonate bottom, creates a balance between rich and resonant tones, enabling an enjoyable typing experience with a subdued acoustic feedback. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro, with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom, combines crispness with a warmth in the bottom-out sound, providing an engaging tactile experience. Therefore, while each switch offers a unique aural and tactile feel due to the intrinsic differences in housing materials, they both showcase how the interplay of these materials can be leveraged to create distinct sound profiles that suit varying preferences for key feedback.
Weight
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch both feature an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in this regard. This means that users can expect similar responsiveness when pressing the keys, regardless of which switch they choose. However, the bottom out force for the Silent Sakura is 53 grams, providing a more substantial feel when the key is fully pressed down. In contrast, the bottom out force of the Violet Gold Pro remains unknown, leaving it unclear how it compares in terms of resistance at the end of the key travel. Overall, the Silent Sakura offers a medium-light typing experience with a defined bottoming out feel, which may appeal to users who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions. Meanwhile, since the bottom out force of the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is unspecified, it may attract users who enjoy a tactile response without the specifics of the heavier push feel. Therefore, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Silent Sakura is the lighter option in terms of bottom out feel, fostering a more defined experience when compared to the uncertain characteristics of the Violet Gold Pro.
Travel distance
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch measures slightly less at 3.8 mm. This means that the Silent Sakura offers a longer travel distance, providing a more substantial keypress that some users may find preferable for a more tactile and robust typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those who favor quicker response times, a feature often sought after by gamers. As the trend moves towards shorter distances for enhanced responsiveness, choosing the Violet Gold Pro could lead to a more rapid feel during gameplay, whereas the Silent Sakura may suit those who appreciate a deeper press. Ultimately, if you lean towards a more traditional typing experience where the key travel feels complete, the Silent Sakura would be the better choice; conversely, if you're looking for speed and agility, the Violet Gold Pro would be ideal.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch is celebrated for its whisper-quiet typing experience, allowing for a serene environment that evokes the soft sound of raindrops. This quality makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer to minimize noise, whether in shared workspaces or late-night typing sessions. In comparison, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro features a neutral sound signature that maintains a moderate volume. This makes it versatile for various environments, neither overly loud nor muted, catering to a wide range of users from beginners to seasoned typists. While both switches have their unique sound profiles, the Silent Sakura excels in quietness, whereas the Violet Gold Pro strikes a balance that works for many different scenarios.
Regarding feel, the Silent Sakura - 53g offers a light yet satisfying keystroke due to its perfectly balanced 53g bottom out force. This makes for a smooth and seamless typing experience that typists who prefer linear switches often appreciate. Conversely, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro presents a stepped tactile feel, which is characterized by a distinguishable two-stage actuation. This tactile feedback gives users a satisfying sensation during typing, without the intensity found in hypertactile switches. These differences in feel cater to distinct typing preferences, with the Silent Sakura being ideal for those who prioritize smoothness, while the Violet Gold Pro appeals to those who enjoy tactile feedback.
In summary, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer different auditory and tactile experiences tailored to diverse typing preferences. The Silent Sakura excels in providing a quiet, smooth linear feel, making it perfect for quiet environments. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro delivers a balanced sound and a tactile feedback that caters to users who appreciate a little more engagement in their typing experience. Choosing between these two switches will depend on your specific needs—whether you value the peaceful operation of a linear switch or the responsive touch of a tactile one.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, you should consider your specific typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you value a quiet typing experience and enjoy the sensation of a softer keystroke, the Silent Sakura - 53g is an excellent choice. Its whisper-quiet action makes it perfect for shared workspaces or late-night typing sessions without disturbing others. The medium-light 53g bottom-out force contributes to a feeling that many typists find comfortable for longer writing sessions, allowing you to type swiftly with minimal fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that provides feedback without being overly loud or harsh, the Violet Gold Pro might be more suitable for you. Its neutral sound profile and medium tactility deliver a balanced typing experience, making it versatile for various environments, whether at home, in the office, or during gaming. The stepped tactile feel adds an extra layer of satisfaction for those who enjoy knowing when a key has been actuated. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style, desired sound level, and the environments in which you plan to use your keyboard.
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