PH Studio Aniya vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Aniya and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the PH Studio Aniya linear switch to the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Aniya switch, known for its harmonious sound profile with a pronounced clacky tone, provides a smooth feel and medium-light actuation for a delightful keystroke sensation. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch boasts a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. While the Aniya switch leans towards a higher-pitched sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a more neutral and milder tone. Choosing between these two switches may depend on your preference for sound profile and typing feel. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The PH Studio Aniya and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both offer unique qualities in their housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. While the Aniya features a POM top housing known for a deeper and more muted sound, the Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This contrast highlights the impact that different materials can have on the auditory experience of typing on mechanical keyboards. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind, providing an added visual element to the typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Aniya's POM housing and the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon housing offer different sound profiles as well. The POM bottom housing in the Aniya contributes to a deep and muted sound, while the nylon bottom housing in the Sea Salt Lemon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound compared to the POM material. These differences showcase how material choice can impact the overall typing experience and sound feedback of a switch.
Despite their differences, both the Aniya and Sea Salt Lemon demonstrate how the choice of housing material can influence the sound and feel of a switch. Whether it's the deeper and muted sound of POM in the Aniya or the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon, each material brings its own unique qualities to the typing experience. Ultimately, understanding the characteristics of different housing materials can help keyboard enthusiasts tailor their setup to achieve the desired sound profile and tactile feedback in their mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is evident that the Aniya is lighter in terms of both forces. The Aniya has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams. Both switches provide a relatively light typing experience, making them suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming. However, the slight difference in force between the two switches may be noticeable to some users. Those who prefer a slightly heavier push feel may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon, while others who prioritize a lighter touch may opt for the Aniya. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, we can see that the Aniya has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 4 mm. The Aniya offers a more responsive feel, which is preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a more hearty depth due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a shorter or longer travel distance. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences, providing a customizable typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Aniya has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aniya for $4.20.
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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
In terms of sound, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is best described as having a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience without being excessively loud. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, which is more bass-heavy and mellow, making it suitable for a variety of environments. Depending on personal preference, the Aniya leans towards a more pronounced clacky sound, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a more moderate and well-balanced sound profile. Both switches can provide satisfying auditory feedback, but the Aniya may offer a slightly more distinct and sharp sound compared to the smoother and more mellow sound of the Sea Salt Lemon.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is known for its creamy and polished typing experience, with a remarkably smooth feel attributed to the stem material used. The Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, however, is described as offering a mild typing experience, which is more gentle and approachable to a wider range of users. The Aniya provides a silky and buttery sensation when typing, enhancing the overall smoothness of the keystrokes, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a more relaxed and comfortable typing feel. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, with the Aniya emphasizing smoothness and butteriness, and the Sea Salt Lemon focusing on a gentle and mild feel.
In conclusion, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Aniya provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a creamy and polished feel, prioritizing sharpness and smoothness in the typing experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon delivers a low-pitched and neutral sound with a mild and gentle typing feel, aiming for a more relaxed and accessible typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a sharper, more pronounced sound with a buttery smooth feel or a milder, more neutral sound with a gentle typing experience, both switches can provide satisfying results in their respective qualities.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider the sound and feel preferences that suit your typing style. If you prefer a more pronounced clacky sound profile with a smooth feel and medium-light actuation, then the Aniya switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a mild sound profile and a low-pitched tone, then the Sea Salt Lemon switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you desire. Choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences and enjoy a satisfying typing experience.
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