Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Cherry MX Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique benefits catered to different preferences and needs. The Crystal Violet is adored for its light operating force of 45g, providing a gentle and comfortable typing experience perfect for those seeking a relaxed tactile feel. Its mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, adds to the overall pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver stands out for its rapid response and linear action, making it a favorite among gamers looking for maximum speed and instant triggering abilities. While the Crystal Violet is valued for its creamy and stepped tactile feel, the MX Speed Silver offers a textured and thocky typing experience. Both switches have their own distinct characteristics that appeal to different individuals. 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
45g
Actuation force
30g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Cherry MX Speed Silver, it is evident that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top and bottom housing, which results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver incorporates a nylon top and bottom housing, producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the choice between ABS and nylon ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
While the Crystal Violet and MX Speed Silver both share the characteristic of utilizing different materials for their top and bottom housings, the specific qualities they bring to the switches differ slightly. The ABS material in the Crystal Violet offers a lower-pitched sound profile when typing, providing a unique typing experience. In contrast, the nylon material in the MX Speed Silver absorbs more sound and results in a deeper sound profile, contributing to a satisfying typing experience. These differences in sound profiles highlight the importance of housing materials in creating a distinctive typing feel for mechanical keyboards.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Cherry MX Speed Silver hinges on personal preference for sound and feel. While the Crystal Violet's ABS housing produces a low-pitched sound profile and the MX Speed Silver's nylon housing creates a fuller sound, both switches offer a unique typing experience. Whether one prefers the softer, deeper sound of nylon or the lower-pitched sound of ABS, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Regardless of the choice, both switches guarantee a satisfying and responsive typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, it is evident that there is a significant difference in actuation and bottom out forces. The Crystal Violet has a medium-light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, providing a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver boasts a lighter actuation force of 30 grams, but its bottom out force is unknown. This makes the MX Speed Silver potentially lighter to type on compared to the Crystal Violet. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the MX Speed Silver more suitable, while users who enjoy a more substantial push feel may lean towards the Crystal Violet. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces play a crucial role in determining the typing experience and preference of the user.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the 3.4 mm travel distance of the MX Speed Silver. The Crystal Violet offers a more traditional keypress feel with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper keypress. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver provides a shallower keypress experience, ideal for gamers seeking faster response times. Both switches have their advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Crystal Violet being the longer option and the MX Speed Silver offering a shorter travel distance for quicker keypresses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches boils down to personal preference in terms of keypress depth and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The Cherry MX Speed Silver has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Speed Silver for $4.00.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is known for its low-pitched and mellow tone, providing a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This is in contrast to the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, which is described as thocky and also low-pitched, offering a deep and rich sound when pressed. Both switches have a bass-heavy quality to their sound, but the Crystal Violet leans more towards a gentle and neutral tone, while the MX Speed Silver provides a more satisfying "thud" or "knock" sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches in terms of sound will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a creamy and mild typing experience, characterized by a smooth and buttery sensation with a gentle tactile feel. The Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, on the other hand, is described as having a textured feel, which can provide noticeable friction when pressed. The Crystal Violet switch also features a stepped tactile feel, offering a more subtle two-stage keystroke experience. In comparison, the MX Speed Silver switch does not have a specific descriptor for its tactile feel, indicating a more straightforward linear action. Again, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you prefer.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch offer different sound and feel characteristics for users to consider. The Crystal Violet provides a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound, while the MX Speed Silver offers rapid response and a thocky sound with a linear feel. Both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it is important to try them out firsthand to determine which one suits your typing style and needs best. Given the differences in sound and feel, users can expect distinct typing experiences with each switch, allowing for customization based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a smooth and comfortable typing experience with a gentle tactile feedback and a mellow sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you are a gamer seeking maximum speed and rapid response with a linear action switch that triggers instantly, then the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch is the way to go. Consider your typing preferences and intended use case when choosing between these two switches to ensure that you have the best keyboard experience suited to your needs. Ultimately, the decision between the Crystal Violet and MX Speed Silver switches will depend on what characteristics are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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