Dareu Snow vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Snow and the SP-Star Yanyu both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Snow, a linear switch, is renowned for its innovative use of POK material in both the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature while typing. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switch is ideal for those who appreciate a smooth and quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu, also a linear switch, is praised for its delicate typing experience and crisp sound profile. Classified as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', the Yanyu switch is perfect for prolonged typing sessions. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Snow and SP-Star Yanyu both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Snow's POK top housing is known for its smoothness and durability, with a coefficient of friction slightly higher than LY. In contrast, the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a unique sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. While the Snow's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, the Yanyu's blend bottom housing complements the top housing with a pleasant and balanced sound profile.
Despite their differences in housing materials, both the Dareu Snow and SP-Star Yanyu switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience. The Snow's POK material is praised for its smooth and clacky feel, while the Yanyu's blend offers a sound profile that is described as pleasant and not particularly sharp. Although the top and bottom housings contribute different qualities to the switches, they both play a crucial role in creating the overall sound and feel of the switch. Both switches prioritize durability and sound quality, with each housing material offering unique characteristics to enhance the typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Snow and SP-Star Yanyu utilize different housing materials, they both excel in providing a great typing experience. The Snow's POK top housing is smooth and durable, while the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a unique and pleasant sound profile. Similarly, the Snow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper sound profile, while the Yanyu's blend bottom housing complements the top housing with a brighter sound. Overall, both switches prioritize smoothness, durability, and sound quality, making them both excellent choices for keyboard enthusiasts looking for a high-quality typing experience.
Weight
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Snow requires 60 grams while the Yanyu only needs 43 grams. This makes the Yanyu switch lighter overall, which may appeal to those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Snow switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch. The Snow switch would provide a quicker response time for gamers looking for fast reactions, while the Yanyu switch would offer a deeper key press for those who prefer a more substantial feel. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular in keyboards today. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Snow linear switch offers a deep and thocky typing experience due to its innovative use of POK material in the top housing and stem, contributing to a low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch provides a crisp and thocky sound thanks to its unique material blend, offering a more delicate typing experience. Both switches fall under the descriptor of neutral, indicating a moderate actuation force requirement and a versatile sound profile suitable for various uses.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Snow switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that enhances the typing experience. In contrast, the SP-Star Yanyu switch offers a mild and feathery feel, requiring little exertion while maintaining a gentle typing experience. The Yanyu switch also boasts subtle and polished qualities, ensuring a smooth and refined typing feel that reduces friction and strain on the fingers. Overall, both switches aim to provide a comfortable and approachable typing experience, catering to different preferences in terms of typing feel.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Snow and SP-Star Yanyu linear switches have their own unique sound and feel characteristics, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their respective qualities. Whether you prefer a deeper and bouncy typing feel from the Snow switch or a delicate and feathery feel from the Yanyu switch, both options cater to different typing preferences. Additionally, the neutral sound profile of both switches makes them versatile for various uses, and the polished feel of the Yanyu switch adds an extra layer of sophistication to the typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience you are seeking.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a deeper sound signature, the Dareu Snow switch with its innovative use of POK material may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a more delicate typing experience, the SP-Star Yanyu switch with its light actuation force and crisp sound profile might be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force. We hope this comparison has helped you in making an informed decision on which switch to choose for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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