Wuque Studio WS Brown vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Wuque Studio WS Brown and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Wuque Studio WS Brown and the HMX Xinhai offer unique experiences for typists and gamers alike. The WS Brown is a tactile switch that prides itself on striking a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort with its medium-light actuation force. Typing on these switches provides a familiar and delightful auditory experience that many enthusiasts cherish. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai is a linear switch known for its unique PA12 top housing and POM stem combination, offering a softer acoustics profile and a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. Both switches have their own strengths and characteristics that make them appealing choices for different preferences. 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
N/A
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Wuque Studio WS Brown and the HMX Xinhai both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a deep and full sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the WS Brown employs nylon for its top housing, providing a consistent sound experience throughout the typing process. In contrast, the Xinhai features a polycarbonate top housing, delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate.
While both switches share a common bottom housing material in nylon, the differences in their top housing materials set them apart in terms of sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Xinhai's top housing creates a clear and resonant sound, contrasting with the WS Brown's nylon top housing that offers a deeper and fuller sound experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Xinhai switch. In contrast, the WS Brown's nylon top housing provides a more traditional typing feel with its softer plastic composition.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in both the WS Brown and the Xinhai impacts the sound profile of the switches. While the WS Brown offers a consistent typing experience with nylon used for both the top and bottom housing, the Xinhai presents a unique sound profile with its combination of polycarbonate and nylon housings. Ultimately, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound or a sharper and crisper sound, both switches provide distinct typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, we can see that the WS Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is slightly heavier than the Xinhai's bottom out force of 45 grams. The actuation force of the Xinhai is 37 grams, while the actuation force of the WS Brown is not specified. This means that the Xinhai is lighter in terms of actuation force compared to the WS Brown. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Xinhai, while those who prefer a more substantial feel may opt for the WS Brown. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences when it comes to typing and gaming.
Travel distance
The Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Xinhai has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the WS Brown. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. However, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may find the WS Brown more to their liking due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $3.19.
The Wuque Studio WS Brown 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 WS Brown tactile switch is known for providing a familiar and delightful auditory experience with its nylon housing and POM stem combination, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch offers a unique sound profile with a PA12 top housing and POM stem for a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. The WS Brown switch strikes a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing, while the Xinhai switch embodies subtle sophistication and precise performance.
In terms of sound, the WS Brown switch provides a familiar auditory experience, while the Xinhai switch is described as producing a clacky sound, offering a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. The sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and choice of keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the WS Brown switch's tactile feedback is not explicitly described, while the Xinhai switch is known for its bouncy sensation, providing a spring-like feedback that gives a lively feel to typing. Additionally, the Xinhai switch is also described as offering a creamy typing experience, with a smooth and buttery sensation that makes keystrokes feel effortless and silky.
Overall, the WS Brown tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch offer distinct qualities in sound and feel. While the WS Brown switch provides a familiar and balanced typing experience with a harmonious blend of familiarity and innovation, the Xinhai switch offers a unique sound profile and a bouncy, creamy feel that adds a touch of sophistication to typing sessions. Depending on the user's preference for sound and feel, they can achieve similar results with both switches by pairing them with compatible keyboards and keycaps.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a familiar and comfortable typing experience with a medium-light actuation force and a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, the WS Brown switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you enjoy a switch with a softer acoustics profile, a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance, and a lighter actuation force for precise performance, the Xinhai switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so make your decision based on what feels best for you.
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