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Haimu Viola Tricolor vs. Wuque Studio WS Red

An in-depth look at the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

The Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Wuque Studio WS Red are two popular mechanical keyboard switches with distinct features. The Viola Tricolor is well-known for its thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to the typing experience. It offers a pronounced tactility that provides satisfying feedback without becoming overly tactile, striking a perfect balance. On the other hand, the WS Red boasts a 22mm double-stage spring, giving it a bouncy and responsive typing experience while still retaining a classic sound signature. It requires a heavier actuation force, adding weight to each keystroke and delivering a satisfying and substantial typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your needs.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

N/A

Actuation force

N/A

Bottom-out force

63.5g

Bottom-out force

67g

Pre-travel

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.80 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

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Dual-staged gold-plated spring

Spring

22mm double-stage spring

Housing materials

The Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Wuque Studio WS Red differ in terms of their housing materials. The Viola Tricolor features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate housing is useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the WS Red has a nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.

Both switches share a commonality in their nylon bottom housings. Nylon is known to be a classic switch housing material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because the relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a dull and rounder sound. Therefore, both the Viola Tricolor and the WS Red would offer similar sound qualities and typing experiences through their nylon bottom housings.

It is worth noting that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be divided between the bottom-out sound and feel, as well as the sound when releasing a key. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more prominent. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Thus, understanding the specific housing materials used in a switch can help users determine the overall sound profile and typing experience they can expect.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Unfortunately, the exact actuation forces for both switches are unavailable. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Viola Tricolor has a weight of 63.5 grams, while the WS Red is slightly heavier at 67 grams.

Weight is an important factor to consider for different typing preferences. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Viola Tricolor may be more suitable. A lighter actuation force allows for longer typing sessions without experiencing fatigue, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a firmer and more substantial typing experience, the WS Red with its slightly heavier bottom out force may be the better choice.

Although the exact actuation forces are unknown, it is safe to assume that both switches likely fall within the medium to medium-heavy range. Therefore, if the actuation forces were to be comparable, opting for either the Viola Tricolor or the WS Red would provide similar results in terms of actuation force. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches would come down to the desired weight preference and typing experience.

Travel distance

The Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same amount of distance traveled. These switches offer a consistent tactile feedback and smooth keystrokes, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. Whether you choose the Viola Tricolor or the WS Red, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.

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 Wuque Studio WS Red 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 Viola Tricolor switch is known for its thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to your typing experience. It strikes a perfect balance between providing pronounced tactility and not being overly tactile. This switch offers a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. On the other hand, the sound profile of the WS Red switch is not specified. However, it can be assumed that it offers a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Viola Tricolor switch is characterized as an accented switch. It falls into the category of a medium tactile switch that provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. It offers an invigorating typing experience with pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. On the other hand, the feel of the WS Red switch is unknown. However, considering it is a linear switch, it can be expected to provide a smooth keystroke without the tactile feedback of the Viola Tricolor.

Based on the available information, the Viola Tricolor switch offers a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a balanced level of tactility. Its medium tactile feedback and pronounced typing sensation make it an invigorating choice for typists. Although the sound profile and feel of the WS Red switch are not specifically described, it can be assumed to provide a familiar linear switch experience with a focus on a bouncy and responsive typing feel. If you are looking for a switch with a similar result to the Viola Tricolor but without the tactile feedback, the WS Red switch could be a suitable option, providing a smooth keystroke and satisfying weight to each key press. Remember that the choice of keyboard and keycaps can also influence the overall typing experience and sound produced by the switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a satisfying and punchy typing experience without being overly tactile, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is a great choice. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and balanced tactility, it strikes a perfect balance between providing a sharp sensation and not overwhelming the user. Additionally, the Viola Tricolor offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding depth and richness to your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is the way to go. With its 67-gram bottom out force and classic material blend, it delivers a satisfying and substantial typing feel. However, since there is limited information available about the sound and feel of the WS Red, it is recommended to test it out or seek further reviews before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preference for tactility, sound, and typing feel.

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