Bsun Akashi vs. KTT Orange
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the KTT Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Akashi and the KTT Orange both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Bsun Akashi stands out for its smooth UPE stem and hybrid housing combo of POM and nylon, resulting in a distinct sound profile with a bright bottom-out and acoustic richness. On the other hand, the KTT Orange features a 22mm long spring for a bouncy feel, along with a polycarbonate milky top housing and factory-lubed components for a slick, frictionless typing experience. While the Akashi is known for its clacky and snappy feel, the Orange is praised for being bouncy and low-pitched. 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
37g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage extended spring
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Akashi and the KTT Orange, it is evident that they both offer unique sound profiles based on their composition. The Akashi's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Orange's polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound. This difference in sound profile can greatly impact the typing experience for users, with the POM housing offering a more understated sound while the polycarbonate housing provides a more pronounced and clear auditory feedback.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Akashi's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller tone. In contrast, the Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, with its stiffer composition enhancing clarity and resonance. The choice between these housing materials can significantly alter the typing experience, with the nylon housing offering a more rounded sound compared to the polycarbonate's sharper tones.
When considering a switch with different top and bottom housings like the Akashi and Orange, it is essential to understand how each housing material affects the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing a key, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing the key. Therefore, users can expect a nuanced typing experience with these switches, as the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials are distributed accordingly to create a distinct tactile and auditory feedback. Ultimately, whether opting for the Akashi or Orange, users can tailor their typing experience to their preferences by selecting a housing material that aligns with their desired sound profile.
Weight
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the KTT Orange linear switch. The Akashi requires 37 grams of force to actuate and 43 grams to bottom out, while the Orange needs 46 grams to actuate and 53 grams to bottom out. This means that the Akashi provides a lighter typing experience overall. Some may prefer this for longer typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less effort to press the keys. On the other hand, the Orange switch offers a slightly heavier feel, which some users may find more satisfying for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing feel for the user.
Travel distance
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the KTT Orange linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. The difference of 0.2 mm between the two may not be significant to most users, but those who prefer a slightly more depth in the key press may lean towards the Bsun Akashi. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quicker response, the KTT Orange may be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or a more substantial key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Akashi has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Akashi for $3.70.
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
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 Bsun Akashi linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound with each key press, while the KTT Orange linear switch offers a low-pitched tone, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches provide distinct auditory experiences, with the Akashi delivering a bright, crisp bottom-out sound and the Orange offering a smoother, lower-pitched sound. The choice between the two would depend on the user's preference for key press sound.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Akashi switch is praised for its creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press typing experience. The factory-lubed switch is designed to offer a smooth and buttery feel, with minimal resistance and reduced friction during key presses. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switch is known for its bouncy and frictionless feel, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that gives keys a lively rebound when pressed. Both switches offer different tactile feedback, with the Akashi focusing on a smooth and effortless typing experience, while the Orange emphasizes a more dynamic and bouncy feel.
Overall, the Bsun Akashi linear switch stands out for its unique sound profile, offering a clacky and resonant typing experience, while providing a creamy and polished feel for smooth key presses. On the other hand, the KTT Orange linear switch delivers a low-pitched sound profile and a bouncy, frictionless feel, emphasizing a lively and responsive typing experience. Depending on the user's preference for sound and feel, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different typing styles. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would come down to personal preference in sound and typing sensation.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences in typing experience. If you prefer a light switch with a creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press feel, along with a bright, crisp, and clacky sound profile, then the Bsun Akashi switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-light switch with a bouncy and frictionless feel, accompanied by a low-pitched sound profile, then the KTT Orange switch would be more suited to your preferences. Consider these factors carefully to determine which switch aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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