SP-Star Meteor White vs. Cherry MX Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Meteor White and Cherry MX Speed Silver stand out as popular choices, both being linear switches. The Meteor White boasts a subtle and gentle feel with a soft sound profile, making it a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver is designed for ultimate speed and responsiveness, making it ideal for gamers looking for quick and precise keystrokes. While the Meteor White is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the MX Speed Silver is labeled as 'Textured', 'Thocky', and 'Low-pitched'. These general descriptions provide a basic understanding of each switch's characteristics, 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
30g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The SP-Star Meteor White and Cherry MX Speed Silver both utilize nylon as their housing material, offering a similar typing experience. Nylon is known for absorbing sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile while typing. This softer plastic creates a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics, providing a unique typing feel for users of both switches. The use of nylon in both the top and bottom housings of these switches allows for a consistent sound and feel throughout the keypress.
Despite both switches using nylon as their housing material, there may be slight differences in the typing experience between the SP-Star Meteor White and Cherry MX Speed Silver. The bottom housing of a switch typically has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. These subtle distinctions in housing design could result in variations in sound and feel, contributing to a slightly different overall typing experience between the two switches.
Overall, the SP-Star Meteor White and Cherry MX Speed Silver offer users a similar typing experience due to their shared use of nylon as the housing material. The deeper and fuller sound profile created by nylon, along with its ability to absorb sound, contributes to a unique typing feel that is consistent across both switches. While there may be minor differences in the influence of the top and bottom housing on the typing experience, users can expect comparable results in terms of sound and feel when using either of these switches.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch to the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, the actuation force is significantly different. The Meteor White has no specified actuation force, while the MX Speed Silver has an actuation force of 30 grams. This means that the MX Speed Silver requires less force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Meteor White has a force of 57 grams, while the bottom out force for the MX Speed Silver is unknown. This makes the Meteor White a lighter switch in terms of bottoming out force. Depending on personal preference, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the MX Speed Silver for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Meteor White for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while the actuation forces differ between the two switches, the bottom out forces may still provide a similar typing experience depending on the user's preference.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is 4 mm, while the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Meteor White has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the MX Speed Silver. The traditional travel distance is typically around 4 mm, making the Meteor White more in line with that standard. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which can appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - if you prefer a more responsive feel, the MX Speed Silver may be the better option, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may prefer the Meteor White. Despite the slight difference in travel distance, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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
In terms of sound, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch offers a neutral and thocky sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound, offering a deeper and more mellow tone compared to the Meteor White switch. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycap material.
When it comes to feel, the Meteor White switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle and refined key press. On the contrary, the Cherry MX Speed Silver switch is described as textured, meaning it may have noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this textured feel for added feedback, while others may prefer a smoother typing experience without any noticeable texture.
Overall, both the SP-Star Meteor White and Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switches offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Meteor White switch provides a softer and more neutral typing experience, the Speed Silver switch excels in rapid response and speed, making it ideal for gamers looking for quick and precise key presses. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and intended use.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, consider your typing preferences and intended use. If you are looking for a gentle and subtle typing experience with a soft sound profile, the Meteor White may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are a gamer seeking maximum speed and instantaneous response, the MX Speed Silver with its low spring resistance and rapid triggering may be the more suitable option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences and needs, so choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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