Jwick Splash Brothers vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Jwick Splash Brothers and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Jwick Splash Brothers and the Haimu Viola Tricolor. The Splash Brothers, known for their linear switch design, offer a unique typing experience with their shorter activation and long pole stem. This combination results in a satisfyingly snappy and bouncy feel while typing, complemented by a creamy sound signature. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches are tactile switches that deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to your typing. These switches strike a perfect balance between pronounced tactility and user satisfaction, providing satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. While these general descriptions offer insights into both switches, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 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
Extended long spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Splash Brothers and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches can provide similar results in terms of their sound profile and visual appeal when it comes to the top housing material.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Jwick Splash Brothers utilizes nylon while the Haimu Viola Tricolor also incorporates nylon as its bottom housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic compared to harder plastics, which allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches can offer a similar typing experience in terms of the sound produced when pressing down on the keys due to their shared nylon bottom housing material.
It is worth noting that in switches where the top and bottom housings are different, like the Jwick Splash Brothers and the Haimu Viola Tricolor, the qualities of each housing material will impact different aspects of the switch's performance. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing material will be more evident and influence the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while both switches may share housing materials in certain aspects, the specific distribution of these materials can lead to variations in the overall typing and auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of both switches is unknown, but the bottom out force provides some insights. The Splash Brothers has a relatively light bottom out force of 48 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a more substantial and resistant typing feel. For individuals who prefer a lighter switch, the Splash Brothers would be a suitable choice, allowing for comfortable typing over long periods of time. On the other hand, those who desire a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may find the Viola Tricolor more to their liking. Overall, the Splash Brothers is lighter while the Viola Tricolor is heavier, offering different options to suit individual preferences.
Travel distance
The Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch have different travel distances. The Splash Brothers has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Viola Tricolor has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become popular in recent years. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. Therefore, if you prioritize quick and responsive keystrokes, the Splash Brothers with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. However, some people find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt and may prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more satisfying keystroke with greater depth. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 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, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offers a creamy sound signature. This means that the sound produced during key presses is smooth and pleasant to the ear. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch provides a thuddy and punchy sound profile. This adds a touch of character to the typing experience, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Viola Tricolor has a low-pitched sound, which gives it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch also depends on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offers a mild and subtle typing experience. It falls in a safe, middle-ground zone of switch characteristics, making it approachable to most users. The switch has a snappy and bouncy feel, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. This gives the keys a lively feel, with a subtle resistance that maintains a light typing feel. Additionally, the Splash Brothers switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is described as accented and invigorating. It offers a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The switch provides pronounced feedback, with a snappy and reactive feel. It requires a moderate to firm actuation force, creating an immersive typing sensation.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Splash Brothers provides a creamy sound signature, a mild and subtle feel with snappy and bouncy characteristics. Alternatively, the Viola Tricolor offers a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a prominent amount of tactility, providing an invigorating typing experience. While they differ in their sound and feel, both switches offer unique and satisfying qualities. If you prefer the creamy sound and gentle typing experience, the Splash Brothers would be a great option. If you prefer a more bass-heavy sound with pronounced feedback, the Viola Tricolor would be a fantastic choice. In either case, you can expect a high-quality and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a light bottom out force and a great typing feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is a fantastic choice. It offers a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, resulting in a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, these switches have a creamy sound signature, providing a pleasing auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a touch of character in its sound profile, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a pronounced tactility without being overly tactile, striking a perfect balance. They deliver a thuddy and punchy sound, adding an extra dimension to your typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on your preferences in terms of bottom out force, typing feel, and sound profile.
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