TTC Speed Silver vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the TTC Speed Silver and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up for comparison are the TTC Speed Silver and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Speed Silver is renowned for its ability to provide a fast and precise typing experience, perfect for those who value speed and accuracy. Its light-medium level of resistance and pristine sound profile make it a popular choice. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switches, just like the dynamic duo of Steph and Klay, offer a unique linear typing experience. These switches have a shorter activation and a long pole stem, resulting in a satisfying typing feel. Additionally, they produce a creamy sound signature that adds to the overall typing experience. Both switches fall under the categories of neutral, mild, and polished, but the Splash Brothers also bring in elements of snappiness, bounciness, subtlety, and polish. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The TTC Speed Silver and the Jwick Splash Brothers both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material provides several benefits for both switches, including a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Since polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, it offers a more clear and resonant sound when typing. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it the ideal choice if you plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a visually pleasing illumination effect. Therefore, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of sound quality and aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of the Speed Silver and the Splash Brothers differ in material, with the Speed Silver incorporating nylon while the Splash Brothers also utilize polycarbonate. Nylon is known as a classic switch housing material, and typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While the top housing has more impact on the sound when releasing a key, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of each switch.
In summary, while both the TTC Speed Silver and the Jwick Splash Brothers share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings, the materials of their bottom housings differ, with the Speed Silver utilizing nylon and the Splash Brothers using polycarbonate. This difference in bottom housing material affects the sound profiles of the switches. The polycarbonate top housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, while the nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature. As a result, the overall typing experience and sound of each switch will vary, with the bottom-out sound and feel affected by the bottom housing and the sound upon releasing a key influenced by the top housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Speed Silver linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, some similarities and differences can be observed. The actuation force of the Speed Silver switch is 45 grams, while the actuation force of the Splash Brothers switch is not specified. However, the bottom out force of the Speed Silver switch is 55 grams, slightly heavier than the 48 grams required for the Splash Brothers switch.
The difference in actuation force suggests that the Speed Silver switch may require a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Splash Brothers switch. This lighter actuation force may be preferred by individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods without fatigue.
On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the Speed Silver switch may provide a more substantial typing experience, suitable for individuals who appreciate a stronger push feel. Despite the difference in bottom out force, both switches can still provide a relatively light typing experience overall.
In terms of weight, the comparison does not provide information to determine if one switch is lighter or heavier than the other. However, it is worth mentioning that weight can be a factor to consider when choosing a switch. Some individuals may prefer a lighter switch for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions, while others may prefer a heavier switch for a more substantial typing experience.
In conclusion, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have different actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Speed Silver switch has a slightly lighter actuation force and a heavier bottom out force compared to the unknown actuation force and lighter bottom out force of the Splash Brothers switch. The preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience, as well as the intended usage for the keyboard, should be taken into account when selecting between these two switches.
Travel distance
The TTC Speed Silver linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Speed Silver has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter range of travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Speed Silver with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a more substantial and satisfying key press, the Splash Brothers with its slightly longer travel distance might be more suitable. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and how you want your keystrokes to feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
The Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
When it comes to sound, both the TTC Speed Silver and Jwick Splash Brothers switches have a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you are using them at home or in a work environment. However, it is important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, both switches offer a mild typing experience, making them approachable to most users. They fall into a safe middle-ground zone in terms of their characteristics, providing a gentle typing sensation. Additionally, both switches are described as polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek and smooth typing experience. This is likely due to the use of high-quality materials and/or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
Based on the available information, it seems that the TTC Speed Silver and Jwick Splash Brothers switches share similar subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience, with a polished finish for smooth key travel. While it is difficult to determine any major differences between the two without more specific information, it is likely that users will experience comparable results when using either of these switches. Choosing between the two may come down to personal preference, as well as considerations such as availability and compatibility with specific keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a fast and precise typing experience, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams and a reduced travel distance, these switches allow for quick and effortless actuation. The Speed Silver switches also have a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile. They offer a mild and polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a shorter activation and a great typing feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch might be the one for you. With a bottom out force of 48 grams, these switches offer a light typing experience. They have a creamy sound signature and provide a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished feel. The longer pole stem of the Splash Brothers switches contributes to their unique typing experience.
In terms of sound and feel, both switches are described as neutral, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. However, the Speed Silver switches have a more subtle and polished sound and feel, while the Splash Brothers switches have a snappy, bouncy, and subtle feel.
Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Speed Silver and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches depends on your preferences for typing speed, actuation force, and tactile feel. Consider the characteristics described above to choose the switch that aligns with your priorities and provides the most enjoyable typing experience for you.