Sanwa Denshi’s OBSF series buttons are famed for their responsiveness, but in recent years Sanwa has also introduced “silent” variants to reduce noise. In this comparison, we break down the differences between the standard Sanwa OBSF-30 button and its two silent counterparts: the first-generation OBSFS-30 (with foam silencers) and the second-generation OBSFE-30 (foamless silent).
We’ll examine how each feels, how much noise they produce, and which is best for your arcade stick or cabinet. Whether you’re a late-night gamer trying not to wake the household or a competitor seeking the perfect button feedback, this guide will clarify the silent vs standard debate.
Overview of Each Button Version
Sanwa OBSF-30 (Standard Button)
The Sanwa OBSF-30 is the standard 30mm snap-in pushbutton found in many tournament-grade fightsticks. It features Sanwa’s proprietary SW-68 microswitch integrated into a slim, convex button plunger. Feel & Actuation: OBSF buttons are renowned for their feather-light actuation, roughly in the 50–60 gram force range. A gentle tap is enough to trigger an input, giving these buttons a very sensitive and responsive feel. They have a short travel distance and a crisp bottom-out – when pressed firmly, you’ll feel a quick stop and rebound.
Noise: Standard OBSFs are relatively quiet (no loud “click” like an American-style button), but they do produce a soft plastic “clack” when you bottom them out. This sound is noticeable in a silent room, though it’s often masked by game audio. Sanwa’s design minimizes unnecessary noise; the SW-68 microswitch itself is a non-clicking switch, so most of the sound comes from the plunger hitting the housing.
Usage: Because they activate so easily, some players note you must be careful resting your fingers—heavy hands can result in accidental presses on OBSFs. Overall, OBSF-30 buttons set the baseline for speed and accuracy, making them the gold standard for competitive play.
Sanwa OBSFS-30 (Silent w/ Foam, Gen1)
Sanwa’s OBSFS-30 is the first-generation “silent” version of their 30mm button.
Design: It is essentially an OBSF button but with a thin foam pad inserted inside the button housing under the plunger. This foam washer cushions the impact when the button is pressed down. The idea is to muffle the “clack” noise by absorbing the shock.
Noise: In practice, OBSFS buttons are indeed much quieter – when you press down, the bottom-out sound is a dull thud rather than a sharp clack. One user described that with game volume up, you might not hear button presses at all with silents. They are not completely silent, but the noise level is “tremendously” reduced.
Feel: The foam’s presence slightly changes the feel. Many players report a “mushy” or cushioned feel at the bottom of the stroke. The actuation force remains about the same (~55g) since the microswitch is unchanged, but you need to press the button all the way through the foam to hit the switch. This gives a softer feedback and can require a hair more force to fully register, effectively making the button a tad less sensitive than standard OBSFs. Some see this as a benefit: it prevents accidental presses if you lightly graze the button. Others find it throws off their timing or prefer the crisp feel of the original.
Durability: One concern with OBSFS is the foam pad’s longevity. Over time and heavy use, the foam can compress or wear unevenly. Users have observed that frequently-used buttons get firmer as the foam thins out, leading to inconsistent feel across a set. The pads are replaceable (Sanwa sells them, and third-party foam washers are available), but it’s an extra maintenance point to consider.
Sanwa OBSFE-30 (Silent “Foamless”, Gen2)
The OBSFE-30 is Sanwa’s second-generation silent button, created in response to feedback about the mushiness of the foam silencers. Sanwa redesigned the button to achieve quiet operation without using a foam pad.
Design Changes: In the OBSFE, the plunger and housing were modified: the traditional two side clip tabs that hold the plunger were removed, replaced by a single attachment point to the microswitch. This prevents the plastic-on-plastic rubbing that contributed to noise. They also changed the plastic composition of the plunger and body to a material that produces less vibration and noise when pressed.
Noise: The result is a button that is nearly as quiet as the foam-silenced OBSFS, but with a more solid feel. Sanwa describes the OBSFE as “a much improved silent pushbutton that feels like the original OBSF-30, without the mushy feel”. In testing, players found the OBSFE slightly less squishy and with a more defined bottoming action compared to OBSFS. The noise is extremely low – not completely silent, but on par with or slightly quieter than the foam version since there’s no clack from plunger tabs.
Feel & Performance: Importantly, OBSFE preserves the crispness of the standard OBSF to a great extent. The actuation force and responsiveness are essentially identical to a normal OBSF, and you don’t have that padded stop. There’s no foam to cushion the press, so you get a clean tactile response when the button hits the end of its travel, yet the redesigned parts still prevent the loud impact sound.
For most players, an OBSFE will feel nearly indistinguishable from a regular Sanwa button in use, which is a big win for those who disliked the first-gen silents. Additionally, with no foam to wear out, consistency is maintained over time. The OBSFE series first came out around 2017–2018 and has since become the go-to silent solution from Sanwa.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Standard vs Silent
To summarize the key differences, refer to the table below which compares Sanwa OBSF (standard) with OBSFS (Silent Gen1) and OBSFE (Silent Gen2) on critical factors:
| Aspect | Sanwa OBSF-30 (Standard) | Sanwa OBSFS-30 (Silent Foam) | Sanwa OBSFE-30 (Silent Gen2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actuation Force | ~55–60 g (very light) | ~55–60 g (same switch; foam may add slight resistance) | ~55–60 g (same as standard; no foam) |
| Travel & Feel | Short throw, crisp bottom-out, very sensitive. | Short throw, soft bottom-out (foam cushions impact). Feels slightly mushy to some. Less accidental presses due to cushion. | Short throw, crisp bottom-out (no foam). Feels almost identical to standard OBSF. No mushiness. |
| Noise Level | Moderate “thock” on full press. Quiet compared to American buttons, but audible in a silent room. | Extremely quiet – dull thud noise. Foam cuts noise tremendously. Virtually silent during gameplay. | Very quiet – near silent. Redesigned parts eliminate most noise without foam. Slightly less noise than OBSFS in some tests. |
| Durability | No extra parts; consistent feel over millions of presses. | Foam pad may compress or deteriorate with heavy use, potentially stiffening the button over time. Pads can be replaced as needed. | No foam to wear out; long-term consistency. Updated plastic is durable. Same microswitch lifespan as others (millions of cycles). |
| Price | Approximately $3 USD per button (varies by retailer). Often sold in sets (8-packs ~$25). | Slightly higher (~$3.30–$4 each). OBSFS often costs a small premium for the silencing pad. | Similar to OBSFS (~$3.50 each). Newer OBSFE might have limited color availability initially. |
Noise Comparison: In practical terms, the silent versions dramatically reduce noise. Players have recorded sound comparisons and note that the difference is “quite amazing” – the silent buttons are barely audible especially when a game’s sound is playing. Standard OBSFs, while not loud, can be heard in quiet environments or through a microphone during streaming. If stealthy operation is a priority (for instance, not letting an opponent or roommate hear your frantic mashing), the silents provide a clear advantage. However, remember that silent buttons aren’t magic – they won’t be completely noiseless; there’s still a soft sound of the plunger moving. Think of it as the difference between tapping a hard key versus a padded key.
Feel and Gameplay: For most players, adjusting to silent buttons is minor. You might initially notice the lack of a hard “clack” feedback. Some users reported needing to press just a bit firmer with OBSFS, which actually helped them avoid dropping combos by accidental taps. Others felt the foam made the button response slightly vague. The OBSFE solves most of those complaints, offering the best of both worlds – quiet action with the familiar Sanwa snap. Competitive players generally find no difference in input performance between standard and silent variants; it’s truly about personal preference and context.
Buying Considerations and Recommendations
If you’re choosing between these three:
- Sanwa OBSF-30 (standard) is ideal if you prioritize the absolute fastest response and crisp feedback, and if noise is not a big concern. They’re also slightly cheaper and come in the widest array of colors. For tournaments or arcade builds where sound isn’t an issue, you can’t go wrong with OBSFs – they’re the default for a reason.
- Sanwa OBSFS-30 (silent with foam) is a good option if you want to quiet your stick without modding it yourself. They will keep your late-night gaming sessions peaceful and prevent opponents from audio-cueing your inputs. Be prepared for a softer feel; if you have a light touch, you might actually enjoy the added slight resistance. These are a solid plug-and-play solution for reducing noise, just keep an eye on the foam’s condition after long-term use.
- Sanwa OBSFE-30 (silent gen2) is the top choice if you demand silence and a tournament-quality feel. Since these don’t rely on foam, they maintain consistency and will feel almost identical to what you’re used to with standard buttons. If you can get your hands on OBSFE buttons (they might be a bit newer/rarer depending on stock), they are arguably the best silent buttons on the market in 2025. They effectively remove the only downside of silents (mushiness) while keeping noise to a minimum.
All of these are interchangeable in standard 30mm button holes and use the same wiring (0.110” quick disconnect terminals). So you can mix and match in your setup – for example, some players install silent buttons for their main 6-8 action buttons and maybe keep standard buttons for less-used functions like Start/Select.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do the foam pads in OBSFS silent buttons wear out?
A: They can over a long period. The foam in OBSFS buttons will gradually compress with repeated presses. Heavily-used buttons (like your primary attack buttons) might become a bit stiffer or less silent as the foam thins out unevenly. One gamer noted his silent buttons became inconsistent – some firmer than others – after extensive use due to foam wear. The good news is the foam inserts are replaceable. You can buy replacement silencer pads (often sold in 8-packs) from arcade part retailers and swap them in. It’s a cheap fix to restore like-new silence. Alternatively, consider upgrading to OBSFE foamless silents, which have no foam to worry about.
Q: Can I convert my standard Sanwa OBSF buttons into silent buttons?
A: Yes. Instead of buying brand new silent buttons, you can purchase silencing foam pads (e.g., the Focus Attack “Silencer” 30mm foam washers) and install them under the plunger of your existing OBSF-30 buttons. This effectively gives you an OBSFS-like result. Many players have done this DIY mod: it significantly reduces noise for a fraction of the cost of new buttons. The installation is easy – pop the button cap out, place the foam washer inside the button, and reassemble. Just note that the feel will become slightly cushioned as with the official OBSFS. If you later decide you miss the old click, you can simply remove the foam pads again.
Q: Do silent buttons affect gameplay or input lag?
A: Electronically, silent vs standard makes no difference – they use the same microswitch mechanism, so input response time is identical. The only potential effect is on the physical feel. Standard OBSFs activate with the lightest touch, whereas silent versions (especially foam ones) may require pressing firmly to overcome the pad. Some users actually prefer this, reporting they make fewer accidental inputs on silents. Others worry about missing inputs if they don’t press hard enough. In general, if you have proper execution, silent buttons will not cause you to “drop combos” once you adjust to them. Many top players successfully compete with silent buttons. It ultimately comes down to preference – some find the audio feedback of a click or clack helps their timing, while others enjoy the muted feel. Rest assured, there’s no inherent performance loss with silents; they are tournament-approved and widely used.
Q: Are there other silent button options besides Sanwa?
A: Yes. Other brands like Hori and Seimitsu have dabbled in silent technology. Hori released limited Silent Kuro buttons in special edition sticks (they used a pad similar to Sanwa’s OBSFS). Seimitsu hasn’t made an official silent pushbutton as of 2025, but you can use third-party foam pads to silence Seimitsu buttons just like Sanwas. Additionally, some aftermarket solutions exist: for example, Paradise Arcade’s “Kaimana” or “Kahuna” pads which are foam inserts designed to quiet buttons with minimal impact on feel. There are even entirely different silent button designs, like leaf-switch buttons or optical sensor buttons, though those are more niche. Sanwa’s OBSFE is currently one of the best integrated silent solutions available, but it’s good to know the community offers many ways to achieve a quiet arcade experience.
To read our most detailed review, check our complete guide on the best arcade buttons.
Sources:
- Arcade Shock – Sanwa OBSFE-30 Silent Pushbutton (2nd Gen) product description arcadeshock.com
- Reddit – Discussion “Quick question: Sanwa OBSF-30 vs OBSFS-30” (user feedback on foam wear) reddit.com
- Shoryuken Forums – Tech Talk: Sanwa Standard vs Silent (user “Spinning_Beat” impressions on sensitivity) archive.supercombo.gg
- Arcade Shock – Sanwa OBSFS-30 Silent Pushbutton product page (pricing and noise reduction notes) arcadeshock.com
- Reddit – r/fightsticks thread (comparison of OBSFS vs OBSFE feel by user update) reddit.com
- Focus Attack – Sanwa OBSF-30 button listing (describing OBSF as “smoothest and quietest” standard button) focusattack.com
- Reddit – r/Arcade1Up (user reports on EG Starts vs Sanwa noise, indirectly highlighting silent vs stock) reddit.com
- Normal Sanwa vs Silent Sanwa (JLF and OBSF), Julius Lagula, youtube.com
