Silencer Sanwa/Seimitsu 30mm Foam Washers (Pack of 8)

Note Regarding Hori Low Profile Matte Buttons. Additional Compatibility Reports.

The Silencer pads compatible with the recent Hori Hayabusa low-profile matte version, but will require cutting off the side tabs.  This is similar to Seimitsu PS-15 low profile pushbuttons. Additionally customers have reported compatibility with Samducksa 201 Futaba and 202 MX pushbuttons.

In November 2012, one of the highest voted ideas in our product suggestion forum was creating silent foam washers.  This would provide an alternative to Sanwa's ground-breaking, but limited silent button lineup of OBSFS pushbuttons.  Imagine having the ability to silence Sanwa OBSN screwbuttons, or the more recent translucent OBSC pushbuttons.  

Now imagine the same for Seimitsu.  

Available now is Silencer - a 1mm foam washer shaped to fit in both Sanwa and Seimitsu 30mm pushbuttons.  Suggested by you, and tested over several months for performance and durability.

Unique Shape and material

Silencer is a 1mm foam washer that conforms to the internal housing of Sanwa and Seimitsu's 30mm pushbutton lineup.  It also utilizes small "tabs" at each end of the washer, which additionally absorb the sharp sound created as the pushbutton plunger's tab meets the rim.  Sanwa and Seimitsu - for copyright purposes - deliberately orient their plunger tabs differently from one another.  Silencer's tabs can be oriented horizontally or vertically for Sanwa or Seimitsu's unique housing.  For Sanwa OBSF, OBSN, OBSC and Seimitsu PS-15 pushbuttons, Silencer's tabs can be snipped off without affecting its ability to reduce noise.   

Silencer's foam material was chosen for the closest match to Sanwa's original foam washers.  For increased durability, an incredibly thin and flexible plastic film was placed on one side.

Installation

installing the Silencer foam pads into a Sanwa or Seimitsu pushbutton is straightforward.  Place the washer - plastic film side down - into the button housing.  Align the small tabs so that they stick out of the holes on each side of the housing.  For Seimitsu PS-15 low profile pushbuttons, snip the tabs off with scissors and place into the housing.

Months of Play-testing, Sound and Endurance Tests

The objective of Silencer is to provide an alternative washer for Sanwa and Seimitsu pushbuttons that effectively reduces noise, but also matches the actuation ability and natural feel in Sanwa's OBSFS offering.  To do this, we sent prototypes of the washer - originally in clear silicone and later foam - to a group of dedicated testers.  Over several months, we learned that foam was more effective in matching Sanwa's original washer and absorbing shock while matching the actuation of Sanwa's own product.  We also learned that "springiness" and "mushiness" was an undesired factor in other washers - first with our silicone prototypes, and later with competing solutions. 

Further, we performed blind tests with individuals and groups, who assumed that Sanwa's OBSFS pushbuttons were installed. The washers were taken to tournaments in Philadelphia and utilized in joysticks swapped amongst players during the events.  Those using Silencers indirectly reported no differences in feel to our testers; they didn't feel "springy" or"mushy", and were able to tap away normals, links and combos as they always did. 

Finally, we performed tests in Seimitsu's PS-14 K and KN series of pushbuttons.  The KN was most compatible due to its internal housing; Silencers proved effective for both in muffling sound while not restricting their unique feel.  Though we couldn't perform blind tests, players that did use them were quite pleased that pads were designed for Seimitsu.