Akko V3 Silver Pro vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Silver Pro and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the realm of mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Silver Pro and the Haimu Viola Tricolor stand out as top contenders, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing or gaming experience. The V3 Silver Pro, a linear switch, is tailored for gamers seeking an easy-to-press option with a light actuation force and shortened travel distance for quick and efficient keystrokes. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor, a tactile switch, boasts a thuddy and punchy sound profile with pronounced tactility, providing a satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. While the V3 Silver Pro leans towards a smoother and more polished typing experience, the Viola Tricolor offers a more invigorating and accentuated feel. 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
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13.8mm spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
Both the Akko V3 Silver Pro and the Haimu Viola Tricolor feature polycarbonate top housings, which provide a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiff nature of the material. This results in a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize sound quality in their typing experience. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switches.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the V3 Silver Pro and the Viola Tricolor utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches. This creates a unique typing experience that may be preferred by those who enjoy a more muted sound profile.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in both the Akko V3 Silver Pro and the Haimu Viola Tricolor offers a well-rounded typing experience with a balance of sharpness, resonance, and depth in sound. While the top and bottom housings play different roles in influencing the sound and feel of the switches, the qualities of each housing material ultimately come together to create a satisfying and consistent typing experience. Whether you prefer a crisper sound profile from the polycarbonate top housing or a fuller sound profile from the nylon bottom housing, both switches offer a high-quality construction that caters to a variety of preferences.
Weight
The Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Viola Tricolor has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the V3 Silver Pro has a bottom out force of 45 grams. The V3 Silver Pro is lighter overall, making it ideal for prolonged typing or gaming sessions where a lighter touch is preferred. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. The V3 Silver Pro offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it potentially more suitable for those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switch provides a bit more depth in its travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become popular in the market due to their responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the typing experience desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Silver Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Silver Pro for $3.10.
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.
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 Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch provides a high-pitched and crisp sound when pressed, offering a sharp and clear audio feedback during each keystroke. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch produces a bassy sound profile with a touch of richness and depth, thanks to its lower frequency range. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the V3 Silver Pro leaning towards a sharper tone and the Viola Tricolor delivering a deeper and more mellow sound.
Moving on to the feel, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch is praised for its easy-to-press actuation, requiring minimal force and providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. The switch is described as creamy, feathery, polished, and silky, indicating a light and refined typing feel that reduces finger fatigue and enhances comfort during extended usage. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch offers an accented and invigorating tactile feedback, combining a medium amount of tactility with a snappy and reactive keypress sensation. These qualities make the Viola Tricolor switch ideal for users who prefer a pronounced tactile response without being too overwhelming.
Considering all available information, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offer unique sound profiles and tactile feedback, catering to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the V3 Silver Pro focuses on a high-pitched sound with a creamy and smooth typing feel, the Viola Tricolor provides a bassy sound with accented tactility for a more invigorating typing experience. Ultimately, both switches excel in their respective qualities, offering reliable performance and satisfaction for users seeking specific sound and feel characteristics in their mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you are a gamer looking for a seamless, fast-paced typing experience with a light actuation force and shortened travel distance, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch would be a great fit for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a thuddy and punchy sound profile with pronounced tactility that strikes a perfect balance between feedback and comfort, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the sound and feel that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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