Which do you prefer for linears? MX Red/Silent Red, MX Black, MX Silver?

[t4keheart]

Hi guys, Thanks for looking!
Would like some input on the above listed switches, which you prefer and why... also any negatives or positives that any of them are known for, etc.

1) MX Red/Silent Red
2) MX Black/Silent Black
3) MX Speed Silver
4) Kalih box red
5) Gateron Red

(please, don't suggest zealio's or anything like that, I'm buying a pre-built and these are my options)

I had a Razer Huntsman with those 'opto-mechanical' switches, but I ended up hating it and returning it because it was so light that I would always accidentally press keys and I was not accurate or efficient at all with the damn thing.
I tend to like heavier switches and I also tend to jam on my keys and bottom them out. I have some box jades which I love, but I am looking for a linear for the office. I do software/programming work so I like my key presses to be deliberate and satisfying. That's why I like the jades!

My first thought is to go with the blacks, but I'm worried because not too many people tend to like them? The lesser travel on the speed silvers sounds enticing but I also don't want another keep where I'm accidentally pushing keys and have to backspace every other word because it's too light.

[Riverman]

I don't have any experience with the non-Cherry switches, but I really like silent blacks.  Reds are way too mushy and light for my tastes, but blacks are a nice compromise.  I have a Cherry G80-3494 with silent blacks, and it's very pleasant to type on.  I prefer the slightly higher weight compared to brown switches.

[Sintpinty]

Hi guys, Thanks for looking!
Would like some input on the above listed switches, which you prefer and why... also any negatives or positives that any of them are known for, etc.

1) MX Red/Silent Red
2) MX Black/Silent Black
3) MX Speed Silver
4) Kalih box red
5) Gateron Red

(please, don't suggest zealio's or anything like that, I'm buying a pre-built and these are my options)

I had a Razer Huntsman with those 'opto-mechanical' switches, but I ended up hating it and returning it because it was so light that I would always accidentally press keys and I was not accurate or efficient at all with the damn thing.
I tend to like heavier switches and I also tend to jam on my keys and bottom them out. I have some box jades which I love, but I am looking for a linear for the office. I do software/programming work so I like my key presses to be deliberate and satisfying. That's why I like the jades!

My first thought is to go with the blacks, but I'm worried because not too many people tend to like them? The lesser travel on the speed silvers sounds enticing but I also don't want another keep where I'm accidentally pushing keys and have to backspace every other word because it's too light.

I am starting to develop a more hateful relationship with my mx reds. I don't know why but i'm starting to not like them but they'll do until i get a new brown board

[Tonka]

Out of what you listed, I like the Blacks. But have you tried Tealios? Those are in my daily driver now and I love them

[t4keheart]

I am starting to develop a more hateful relationship with my mx reds. I don't know why but i'm starting to not like them but they'll do until i get a new brown board

Don't get an mx brown board unless you have tried them and know you like them.
They are not at all what you would expect them to be based on their description.

Out of what you listed, I like the Blacks. But have you tried Tealios? Those are in my daily driver now and I love them

Have not tried tealios, but thats not an option for me right now because of the pre-built keyboards I'm considering right now, obviously tealios are not an option. I have some box jade and I like them pretty well.

[Maledicted]

Don't get an mx brown board unless you have tried them and know you like them.
They are not at all what you would expect them to be based on their description.

^ THIS

I have only tried Cherry MX Reds, blacks, and Kailh Box Reds from that list. I hate Cherry MX black, too tiring even though I seem to love typing all day at work on Kailh Box Navies. Something about the combination of weight and linearity is grating to me. Cherry MX Red is meh, not great, not bad. I only have a switch tester with Kailh Box Reds, but they do seem nice and smooth to me. I do believe they're just a tad heavier than Cherry MX reds as well, which do seem too light to me. I have considered gutting my gaming rig's K70 to swap the Cherry MX Reds to Kailh Box Reds, but I don't do enough actual typing on linears to really justify that anyway.

Cherry MX is always a little scratchy, in general. Not sure whether or not I have any cheap boards with Gaterons, but I can't imagine they're as smooth as box switches, and box switches are more impervious than the others to dust/dirt and water.

[treeleaf64]

Stock, BOX will be smoother, but once you add lube to the mix, Gaterons will be smoother. It's the reason why you see people still using Gateron for linear boards instead of BOX linears. Plus, they do have a better sound on bottoming out. I do not enjoy listening to the sound of BOX linears.

treeleaf64

[t4keheart]

Don't get an mx brown board unless you have tried them and know you like them.
They are not at all what you would expect them to be based on their description.

^ THIS

I have only tried Cherry MX Reds, blacks, and Kailh Box Reds from that list. I hate Cherry MX black, too tiring even though I seem to love typing all day at work on Kailh Box Navies. Something about the combination of weight and linearity is grating to me. Cherry MX Red is meh, not great, not bad. I only have a switch tester with Kailh Box Reds, but they do seem nice and smooth to me. I do believe they're just a tad heavier than Cherry MX reds as well, which do seem too light to me. I have considered gutting my gaming rig's K70 to swap the Cherry MX Reds to Kailh Box Reds, but I don't do enough actual typing on linears to really justify that anyway.

Cherry MX is always a little scratchy, in general. Not sure whether or not I have any cheap boards with Gaterons, but I can't imagine they're as smooth as box switches, and box switches are more impervious than the others to dust/dirt and water.

Stock, BOX will be smoother, but once you add lube to the mix, Gaterons will be smoother. It's the reason why you see people still using Gateron for linear boards instead of BOX linears. Plus, they do have a better sound on bottoming out. I do not enjoy listening to the sound of BOX linears.

treeleaf64

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
I think one of the main reasons for me posting this is that I've heard a lot (in reviews and stuff) that gateron and box linears are smoother than mx linears in that they aren't as "scratchy"... to be honest with ya, I don't think any cherry mx switch is all that great compared to their competition. I have tried browns, whites (milk), and blue of the mx variety, and none of them really live up to any expectation other than just being "okay" IMO. So if anybody could strongly recommend a competing linear, I would probably go with that recommendation.

When it comes to linears, I think the thing I enjoy most about them is the "clacky" sound of the keys bottoming out, but I also don't like when they're too light such that I'm hitting the wrong keys all of the time... which is what lead me to stiffer options such as the blacks.

I think what I really need to do is just get a hot-swappable board (really looking hard at the massdrop ctrl or alt and just trying out a bunch of different options. When I find my prefferred switches I can make a project out of de-soldering and re-soldering my 3 other keebs with what I actually like best, I think my only real winner is my durgod with box jades... that's a sweet switch man.

I appreciate everyone's input and time who responded to this thread!

[Maledicted]

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
I think one of the main reasons for me posting this is that I've heard a lot (in reviews and stuff) that gateron and box linears are smoother than mx linears in that they aren't as "scratchy"... to be honest with ya, I don't think any cherry mx switch is all that great compared to their competition. I have tried browns, whites (milk), and blue of the mx variety, and none of them really live up to any expectation other than just being "okay" IMO. So if anybody could strongly recommend a competing linear, I would probably go with that recommendation.

When it comes to linears, I think the thing I enjoy most about them is the "clacky" sound of the keys bottoming out, but I also don't like when they're too light such that I'm hitting the wrong keys all of the time... which is what lead me to stiffer options such as the blacks.

I think what I really need to do is just get a hot-swappable board (really looking hard at the massdrop ctrl or alt and just trying out a bunch of different options. When I find my prefferred switches I can make a project out of de-soldering and re-soldering my 3 other keebs with what I actually like best, I think my only real winner is my durgod with box jades... that's a sweet switch man.

I appreciate everyone's input and time who responded to this thread!

Yeah, sorry, I'm not a linear connoisseur. I say Cherry MX red is good enough, since all I use linears for is gaming. They're still good enough even as I come to be repulsed by Cherry MX blue, since the scratchiness of linears is better than insufficient/unrefined tactility, unless you're going to be typing on it all day.

I agree on jades. I'm using some as we speak. They may be the sweetest modern clicky switch, though navies are great too.

[Polymer]

MX Silent (Red) all the way...for whatever reason they feel slightly tighter than normal reds...and with good keycaps they're quite enjoyable to use....

[Maledicted]

MX Silent (Red) all the way...for whatever reason they feel slightly tighter than normal reds...and with good keycaps they're quite enjoyable to use....

Wouldn't mind trying those some time.

[Sintpinty]

I am starting to develop a more hateful relationship with my mx reds. I don't know why but i'm starting to not like them but they'll do until i get a new brown board

Don't get an mx brown board unless you have tried them and know you like them.
They are not at all what you would expect them to be based on their description.

Out of what you listed, I like the Blacks. But have you tried Tealios? Those are in my daily driver now and I love them

Have not tried tealios, but thats not an option for me right now because of the pre-built keyboards I'm considering right now, obviously tealios are not an option. I have some box jade and I like them pretty well.

I have tried them and like them a lot better.

[Sintpinty]

MX Silent (Red) all the way...for whatever reason they feel slightly tighter than normal reds...and with good keycaps they're quite enjoyable to use....

They're like the cooler daniel for mx reds. Godsend for gamers like me

[Polymer]

I have a hard time believing they're still just MX reds....Easier on the hands from a bottom out perspective....a lot more quiet..and they feel more solid for some reason...

There is a very slight loss in travel but you don't really notice it...Unless you like the hard clack when you bottom out I don't see any reason why I'd ever choose reds over these...

[treeleaf64]

I have a hard time believing they're still just MX reds....Easier on the hands from a bottom out perspective....a lot more quiet..and they feel more solid for some reason...

There is a very slight loss in travel but you don't really notice it...Unless you like the hard clack when you bottom out I don't see any reason why I'd ever choose reds over these...

With a spring swap, would you say they're as good as the high end silent linears like Gateron silent ink and silent Zeals?

[Riverman]

I have a hard time believing they're still just MX reds....Easier on the hands from a bottom out perspective....a lot more quiet..and they feel more solid for some reason...

There is a very slight loss in travel but you don't really notice it...Unless you like the hard clack when you bottom out I don't see any reason why I'd ever choose reds over these...

I agree with all of that.  I had a regular MX red keyboard, a Cherry MX Board 6.0, and hated the switches in that thing with a passion, although it was a beautiful keyboard in every other way.  I bought a cheap and nasty G80-3494 with silent red switches, and that was actually fairly enjoyable to type on.  I prefer the slightly stiffer silent blacks to the silent reds, but the silent reds did feel like a much better switch than regular reds.

[Polymer]

I have a hard time believing they're still just MX reds....Easier on the hands from a bottom out perspective....a lot more quiet..and they feel more solid for some reason...

There is a very slight loss in travel but you don't really notice it...Unless you like the hard clack when you bottom out I don't see any reason why I'd ever choose reds over these...

With a spring swap, would you say they're as good as the high end silent linears like Gateron silent ink and silent Zeals?

That's too subjective IMO..but MX silents feel smooth enough...and will get smoother with time...They feel really good on off center hits...and they, for some reason, feel a bit tighter and stiffer than normal reds..which I doubt is true..it just feels that way...

[Sup]

is it weird that i like them all lol.

[DALExSNAIL]

I am starting to develop a more hateful relationship with my mx reds. I don't know why but i'm starting to not like them but they'll do until i get a new brown board

They are not at all what you would expect them to be based on their description.

A true description of their original intention would be much better than what companies try to pedal these days. It creates a lot of flac for the switch, so I agree here.

[DALExSNAIL]

Oh, and also I prefer Silent reds............most times.

Idk what it is but every time silent reds are in a corsair board they're the worst things I've ever felt. But any switch I've tried in a board from them has been unusually scratchy and oddly heavier than any other board I try what should be the same switches in.

[Maledicted]

Oh, and also I prefer Silent reds............most times.

Idk what it is but every time silent reds are in a corsair board they're the worst things I've ever felt. But any switch I've tried in a board from them has been unusually scratchy and oddly heavier than any other board I try what should be the same switches in.

Interesting. I have boatloads of Corsair boards now, and quite a few of those have Cherry MX reds in them. I don't know that I have ever actually felt any Cherry MX reds in any other board. lol. I did notice that my Das Pro 4, when it still had Cherry MX blues in it, did seem surprisingly smooth compared to my K70s. I chalked most of that up to a combination of wear and the costar stabilizers, since they did feel somewhat lighter as well. I need to feel some more authentic Cherry MX reds now, and maybe compare a K70 or two against the switches I pulled out of the Das, and my (currently intact) Quickfire Rapid.

I still have the loose reds from the K65 I put box navies into, if there might be anything on/in them we might want to compare against other Cherry MX red switches.

[treeleaf64]

Out of all four, I like MX Black the most. While the switches are heavy, it is pleasant to type on. They do tire out my hands, but it is not that hard to get used to.
In contrast, MX Red feel like I am bottoming out really hard, sometimes hurting my hands. Vintage MX Black are great because they are smoother than in-production switches, but my MX Reds have noticeably progressed in smoothness over time.

I have never tried Silvers, but I can say with confidence that I would HATE them!

Sincerely,
treeleaf64

[DALExSNAIL]

Oh, and also I prefer Silent reds............most times.

Idk what it is but every time silent reds are in a corsair board they're the worst things I've ever felt. But any switch I've tried in a board from them has been unusually scratchy and oddly heavier than any other board I try what should be the same switches in.

Interesting. I have boatloads of Corsair boards now, and quite a few of those have Cherry MX reds in them. I don't know that I have ever actually felt any Cherry MX reds in any other board. lol. I did notice that my Das Pro 4, when it still had Cherry MX blues in it, did seem surprisingly smooth compared to my K70s. I chalked most of that up to a combination of wear and the costar stabilizers, since they did feel somewhat lighter as well. I need to feel some more authentic Cherry MX reds now, and maybe compare a K70 or two against the switches I pulled out of the Das, and my (currently intact) Quickfire Rapid.

I still have the loose reds from the K65 I put box navies into, if there might be anything on/in them we might want to compare against other Cherry MX red switches.

I really do suggest trying them in another board. It was crazy the difference in smoothness when I got a Filco with silent reds, compared to my Corsair. It was so night and day that they went from my most hated switch, to my daily driver almost instantly.

[chyros]

is it weird that i like them all lol.

Is it weird that I don't really like any of them? xD


(even though I love good linears xD)

[DALExSNAIL]

is it weird that i like them all lol.

Is it weird that I don't really like any of them? xD

No, It would be weird if you, specifically, liked any of them lol.

[treeleaf64]

is it weird that i like them all lol.

Is it weird that I don't really like any of them? xD

No, It would be weird if you, specifically, liked any of them lol.

Don't want to bandwagon here, especially when I just said I prefer MX Black...
I want to state that MX linears are "nothing special". When I say that, I mean that they aren't bad, but there are better options out there.

[Maledicted]

I really do suggest trying them in another board. It was crazy the difference in smoothness when I got a Filco with silent reds, compared to my Corsair. It was so night and day that they went from my most hated switch, to my daily driver almost instantly.

Silent reds I do not believe that I do have, besides maybe in an RGB K70 I picked up used recently, but I think they're regular old rgb red switches. I have no hot swap boards (yet), but I could mount them in the plate the next time I plan to swap some jades into something ... that's not a Corsair board.

is it weird that i like them all lol.

Is it weird that I don't really like any of them? xD

No, It would be weird if you, specifically, liked any of them lol.

You guys have found some common ground? I agree completely. The only reason for me to care about any of these is for gaming.

Don't want to bandwagon here, especially when I just said I prefer MX Black...
I want to state that MX linears are "nothing special". When I say that, I mean that they aren't bad, but there are better options out there.

I agree. Anything Cherry MX (besides maybe browns, sorry Dale) is good enough. Not particularly great in any category (besides somewhat smooth function even being very off-center) but just good enough in all of them, and reliable to a T. They're the Honda Civic of switches.

[DALExSNAIL]

(besides maybe browns, sorry Dale)

It's ok, my refined tastes aren't for everyone 

[treeleaf64]

(besides maybe browns, sorry Dale)

It's ok, my refined tastes aren't for everyone 

Now, that's the way to make a statement.

[Ilostmytoeinvietnam]

Out of what you listed, I like the Blacks. But have you tried Tealios? Those are in my daily driver now and I love them

HAHAHAHAHA DID YOU READ THE PARENTHISIS  ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

[Ckeeb]

 MX Red/Silent Red for over 6 months.