Haimu Viola Tricolor vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Haimu Viola Tricolor and the SP-Star Yanyu are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique qualities. The Viola Tricolor is renowned for its thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing experience. With its pronounced tactility, this switch offers satisfying feedback without being overly tactile, striking a perfect balance between sharp sensation and user comfort. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch is best suited for those seeking a more delicate typing experience or those who spend long periods typing. Its material blend provides a crisp sound profile, making it perfect for quiet and smooth typing sessions. While these general pointers can help guide your selection, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
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
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the SP-Star Yanyu switches have distinct characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Viola Tricolor utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance. In contrast, the Yanyu features a polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing that produces a pleasant but not overly sharp sound. While both materials achieve pleasing sound profiles, polycarbonate lends itself well to RGB lighting due to its translucency, making it particularly advantageous for those wanting illuminated switches.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Viola Tricolor employs a nylon material that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Yanyu utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This blend offers a sound profile that strikes a balance between sharpness and brightness. It provides a pleasant auditory experience without being overly piercing.
In terms of the impact on the overall switch experience, the qualities brought by the bottom housing dominate the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. The properties of the bottom housing material determine how the switch responds and feels during key presses. Conversely, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Whether it is the distinct crispness and resonance of the polycarbonate top housing in the Viola Tricolor or the pleasant and slightly brighter sound of the Yanyu's top housing, these qualities become more apparent when releasing a key. Ultimately, the difference in housing materials between these switches accounts for variations in sound profiles and tactile experiences, showcasing the importance of housing materials in switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Viola Tricolor has an unavailable actuation force, while the Yanyu also has an unavailable actuation force. Despite this, we can assume that the actuation forces are similar since they are not specified differently. However, the bottom out force of the Viola Tricolor is 63.5 grams, which falls under the medium-heavy category. In contrast, the Yanyu has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Yanyu would be the preferable choice. Its lighter bottom out force allows for longer typing sessions, making it ideal for work or extended gaming periods. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience would opt for the Viola Tricolor. With its heavier bottom out force, it offers a stronger push feel while typing.
In terms of weight, the lighter option is the Yanyu with its 43 gram bottom out force. This lightness allows for a comfortable and fatigue-free typing experience. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor is the heavier option with an unavailable actuation force and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams.
Overall, the Viola Tricolor and the Yanyu offer distinct differences in actuation and bottom out forces. Their varied forces cater to individuals with different preferences for typing experiences. Whether one desires a lighter or heavier touch, these switches provide options to accommodate personal preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it is evident that the Viola Tricolor has a shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Yanyu has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Considering the preferences of users, the Viola Tricolor would be favored by those seeking a faster response time due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers, in particular, often opt for switches with shorter travel distances to enhance their gaming performance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key may find the 4 mm travel distance of the Yanyu switch to be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preferences and the desired level of responsiveness or depth. Regardless of the travel distance, though, both switches would yield satisfactory results for their intended purposes.
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 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
The Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is best known for its thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to the typing experience. This switch offers pronounced tactility without being overly tactile, striking a perfect balance. The sound of the Viola Tricolor can be described as bassy, with a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. It also has a low-pitched tone, resembling a bass-heavy and mellow sound. The Viola Tricolor switch provides an invigorating feel, offering moderate to firm actuation force and a snappy and reactive feel, creating an immersive typing sensation.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch is perfect for those seeking a more delicate typing experience or typing for long periods of time. It has a crisp sound profile and is described as having a neutral switch with a moderate actuation force requirement. The Yanyu switch also has a thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying noise when pressed. The feel of the Yanyu switch can be described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience. It is feathery, exceptionally light to press, and requires minimal exertion from the fingers, reducing finger fatigue. The Yanyu switch also has a subtle resistance and a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience.
In conclusion, the Haimu Viola Tricolor and SP-Star Yanyu switches offer different subjective qualities. The Viola Tricolor provides a thuddy and punchy sound profile and an invigorating feel with pronounced tactility. It strikes a balance between tactile and non-overwhelming tactile switches. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch offers a more delicate typing experience with a crisp sound profile and a thocky noise. It has a feathery and mild feel, reducing finger fatigue, and features a subtle resistance and polished finish for a smooth typing experience. While the two switches have distinct qualities, both can provide a satisfying typing experience based on the user's preference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a switch that provides a sharp sensation without overwhelming tactility, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, it offers a medium-heavy feel that delivers a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing experience. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance between sharp feedback and satisfying tactility. On the other hand, if you prefer a more delicate typing experience or if you frequently type for long periods of time, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch would be a better fit. With a bottom out force of 43 grams, it provides a light and gentle feel, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Yanyu's material blend gives it a crisp sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the Viola Tricolor and the Yanyu depends on your personal preferences and typing needs.
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