Cherry MX Brown vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Silent Frozen. The Cherry MX Brown is known for its subtlety, offering a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen stands out with its extremely quiet sound profile, providing a super smooth and pillowy typing experience. While the MX Brown is categorized as textured, bassy, and low-pitched, the Silent Frozen is described as thocky, creamy, and buttery, with a muted, feathery, subtle, and polished feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Silent Frozen switches differ significantly in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The MX Brown features a nylon top and bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to nylon's softer plastic composition, it absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing. In contrast, the Silent Frozen utilizes a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the MX Brown and Silent Frozen switches differ, they both offer unique sound characteristics. The softer nylon material of the MX Brown absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Conversely, the stiffer polycarbonate material used in the Silent Frozen produces a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches have their own distinct sound profiles, appealing to different preferences. However, it is worth noting that the top housing material has a more significant impact on the sound when you release a key, while the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Therefore, depending on your specific needs or typing preferences, you may prefer one switch over the other.
In terms of aesthetics, the choice between the MX Brown and Silent Frozen is influenced by the housing material used. The MX Brown's nylon housing brings a classic and timeless appearance to the switch, without the translucent feature. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate housing, particularly in the top housing, offers a clear and translucent look. This makes it especially useful for those planning to use RGB lighting, as the polycarbonate housing allows light to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch. However, it is essential to keep in mind that aesthetic preferences are subjective, and both switches provide durable and functional housing materials regardless of the differences in appearance.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, it is clear that they have distinct differences. The MX Brown features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, falling into the medium-light range. In contrast, the Silent Frozen has a lighter actuation force of 39 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams. Therefore, the Silent Frozen switch can be considered lighter in terms of force required for both actuation and bottoming out.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer typing durations, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who seek a more substantial typing experience may prefer a switch with a stronger push feel, requiring heavier forces. In this case, if a user desires lighter forces for both actuation and bottoming out, the Silent Frozen switch would be a suitable choice. However, if a user prefers a slightly heavier feel, the MX Brown switch would provide the desired experience. Ultimately, the actuation force and bottom out force of these switches differ, offering users the option to choose based on their specific preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, we can see that the MX Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Frozen has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The MX Brown falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, while the Silent Frozen offers a slightly shallower experience. For gamers or anyone seeking faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Frozen may be preferable. However, those who enjoy a deeper and more substantial key press may lean towards the MX Brown with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness and depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Brown switches offer a subtly bassy and low-pitched tone during key presses. The sound profile is deeper and richer, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen switches are known for their extremely quiet and muted sound. They produce a thocky sound, which can be described as a deep, rich, and satisfying "thud" or "knock" when the keys are pressed and released. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, but the Silent Frozen switches excel in providing a quieter typing experience, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Brown switches have a textured sensation when pressed. This refers to switches that have noticeable friction, which some users prefer for a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen switches offer a creamy, buttery, and feathery feel. They provide a smooth and buttery typing experience, resembling the sensation of gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The feathery actuation force of the Silent Frozen switches reduces finger fatigue, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. The MX Brown switches, while not explicitly described as smooth or buttery, offer a subtle resistance and light typing feel, ensuring a comfortable and gentle typing experience.
Overall, the Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety in both sound and feel. They provide a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The TTC Silent Frozen switches excel in providing an extremely quiet sound profile, characterized by a thocky and muted sound. They offer a super smooth and pillowy typing feel, reducing finger fatigue and providing a seamless typing experience. While they have different characteristics, both switches are suitable for use in shared spaces due to their reduced noise levels. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a subtle and satisfying typing experience, with a bottom out force of 55 grams. In terms of sound, MX Browns are known for their bassy and low-pitched tones, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. As for the feel, MX Browns have a textured sensation, providing noticeable friction when pressed.
On the other hand, if you prioritize an extremely quiet sound profile and a super smooth, pillowy typing experience, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch would be more suitable for you. These switches have a light bottom out force of 43 grams, making them easy to press and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Their sound is described as thocky, low-pitched, and muted, producing a deep, rich, and quiet tone. In terms of feel, Silent Frozen switches are characterized as creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between Cherry MX Brown and TTC Silent Frozen switches depends on your personal preferences and requirements. Consider the level of tactility, audio feedback, sound profile, and typing feel that you desire, and select the switch that best aligns with those criteria.
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