Dareu Aqua vs. KTT Hyacinth

Overview

The Dareu Aqua and the KTT Hyacinth are two mechanical keyboard switches that both offer a unique typing experience. The Aqua stands out with its super light 37g actuation force, making it easy to press and delivering a distinctive chirpy and clacky sound. On the other hand, the Hyacinth features a 3.5mm travel distance to avoid the hard bottoming-out experience often found in switches with longer stems. It aims to provide a balanced tactile feedback, auditory experience, and comfort, with a preference for a more consistent force curve using a single-stage elongated spring. While the Aqua is characterized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', the Hyacinth is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Silky', 'Subtle'. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on what you value most in a typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Dareu Aqua Linear

KTT Hyacinth Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Dareu Aqua and the KTT Hyacinth are quite similar, as both feature polycarbonate top housings that create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, the Aqua and the Hyacinth differ in their bottom housings, with the Aqua featuring a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Hyacinth also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, creating a similar effect.

Despite their similar polycarbonate top housings, the differences in their bottom housings set the Dareu Aqua and the KTT Hyacinth apart in terms of sound profile. The softer nature of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches. This means that the qualities brought by the bottom housing material will have a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, while the top housing material will influence the sound when releasing a key.

In conclusion, while the Dareu Aqua and the KTT Hyacinth share similar qualities in their polycarbonate top housings, the difference in their nylon bottom housings gives each switch a unique sound profile. The Aqua will provide a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon bottom housing, while the Hyacinth will offer a similar experience with its own nylon bottom housing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile and feel when typing.

Weight

The Dareu Aqua linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, making it difficult to compare in that aspect. The Aqua switch would be ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Hyacinth switch would provide a more substantial push feel due to its higher actuation force, appealing to users who prefer a bit more resistance when typing. Overall, when considering weight, the Aqua switch would be the lighter option, while the Hyacinth switch would be the heavier option among the two.

Travel distance

In comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, it can be noted that the Aqua has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Hyacinth has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Aqua switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Hyacinth switch. The Aqua switch with its 4 mm travel distance is more traditional, offering a bit more depth when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the Hyacinth switch with its 3.5 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Aqua providing a bit more depth and the Hyacinth offering a slightly quicker response.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Dareu Aqua linear switch is best known for its chirpy and clacky sound signature, providing a unique auditory experience characterized by a slight squeak and sharp, snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also affected by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Dareu Aqua switch is recognized for being easy-to-press and feathery, offering minimal resistance and a light typing feel that enhances the overall typing experience by reducing finger fatigue during extended use. In contrast, the KTT Hyacinth switch provides a silky and subtle typing experience, with a smooth feel that minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys while maintaining a gentle typing feel that is suitable for shared spaces.

Overall, the Dareu Aqua linear switch excels in providing a light actuation force and distinctive chirpy, clacky sound signature, making it a great choice for those who prefer a lighter touch and a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch stands out for its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance and a commitment to balancing tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort with its single-stage elongated spring. Both switches offer different but equally appealing qualities in terms of sound and feel, so choosing between them will ultimately come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, you should consider your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a super light actuation force and a unique chirpy and clacky sound signature, then the Aqua switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a design focused on balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort with a medium-light bottom out force, along with a smoother typing experience and a more consistent force curve, then the Hyacinth switch would be the better option. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal typing preferences and the specific feel and sound you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Mentioned in this article

Dareu Aqua Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

Learn more

KTT Hyacinth Linear

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

Learn more