KTT Ash Gray vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Ash Gray and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, one of the pivotal choices revolves around the tactile experience and sound profile, two aspects where the KTT Ash Gray and Cherry MX Silent Red excel, yet differ significantly. The KTT Ash Gray is hailed for its substantial yet unobtrusive tactile response, offering users a light touch coupled with a crisp actuation that strikes an ideal balance between feedback and subtlety. This makes it a fantastic choice for typists who appreciate a sense of engagement without being overwhelmed—perfect for those long hours of writing or coding. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red focuses on providing a smooth, linear keypress that operates quietly, making it an excellent option for those in noise-sensitive environments, such as shared offices or late-night gaming sessions. With a slightly heftier feel than its predecessor, the MX Red, the Silent Red maintains a satisfying typing experience while ensuring minimal sound disruption. While both switches cater to distinct preferences, the decision ultimately hinges on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a muted actuation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Ash Gray and Cherry MX Silent Red switches feature distinct materials for their top housings, which significantly influence their auditory characteristics. The Ash Gray employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its rigidity. This results in a clear resonance that can enhance the auditory experience, particularly when RGB lighting is incorporated, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows light to pass through effectively. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red uses a nylon top housing, a material more recognized for its softer qualities. This leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing sound frequencies and producing a duller, rounder tone compared to the Ash Gray. As a result, the very choice of top housing material creates a noticeable differentiation in the auditory feedback experienced when using these switches.
On the bottom housing side, both the KTT Ash Gray and Cherry MX Silent Red share the same nylon material. As a classic choice for switch design, nylon ensures a similar deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound waves, giving both sets of switches a more muted and rounded bottoming-out experience. This similarity offers typists a consistent tactile response when the key is pressed, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials. Thus, while the audible feedback can vary significantly based on the top housing material considered, the bottom housing helps unify the overall feel for those using either switch.
Overall, the contrasting top housing materials of the KTT Ash Gray and Cherry MX Silent Red showcase how material selection can dynamically shape the auditory and tactile experiences of a mechanical keyboard. The presence of polycarbonate in the Ash Gray switches allows for brightness and clarity, accentuating the sound when the key is released, whereas the nylon top of the Silent Red leans into a more muted character that softens the reverb of the switch. However, their shared nylon bottom housing bridges the gap in terms of tactile feedback when pressed, ensuring that both switches provide a satisfying typing experience despite their tonal differences on release.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch to the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, there are notable differences in actuation force, while the bottom out force for the MX Silent Red is unknown. The KTT Ash Gray features an actuation force of 38 grams, making it a medium-light switch that is easier on the fingers during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red has a higher actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a heavier feel that may be preferred by those looking for a more substantial typing experience. As for bottom out forces, the Ash Gray has a measurable bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Silent Red's bottom out force remains unspecified. Overall, this means the KTT Ash Gray is the lighter option, ideal for those who favor a less strenuous typing session, while the Cherry MX Silent Red caters to users who appreciate a firmer tactile response.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, the Ash Gray offers a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the MX Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Ash Gray well-suited for gamers or users who favor quick response times due to its shorter actuation distance. Conversely, the Cherry MX Silent Red, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial tactile experience when typing, as it provides a bit more feedback with each keystroke. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your preference for responsiveness versus depth in feel; if you favor a more traditional experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red may be the better option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Ash Gray has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ash Gray for $2.55.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch offers a neutral audio profile, which means it strikes a balance that makes it suitable for a variety of environments, whether for casual typing or more professional use. This moderate sound level caters to both beginners and advanced users alike, making it versatile. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch excels in discretion, providing a muted acoustic experience. This switch retains a thocky, low-pitched tone, which while quieter than many other linear switches, can still produce a satisfying sound characteristic. The softer and bass-heavy quality of the MX Silent Red makes it an excellent choice for noise-sensitive settings, ensuring that you can type away silently while still enjoying a rich auditory feel.
In terms of feel, the Ash Gray switch is designed to be easy to press, offering gentle resistance that makes typing a breeze. Its mild tactile feedback provides just enough response without being overwhelming, making it a comfortable choice for extended use. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switch is noted for its textured feel, which may present a bit more resistance than the Ash Gray. The texture can lend itself to a more engaging typing experience, although this friction is a matter of personal preference. While the Ash Gray aims for a smooth touch, the MX Silent Red delivers a distinctly textured sensation that some users may find preferable.
In conclusion, the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. While the Ash Gray provides a neutral sound and an easy, mild feel, the MX Silent Red offers a quieter yet rich auditory experience with a unique textured sensation. Choosing between them ultimately depends on whether you prioritize a soft, unobtrusive feedback or a more tactile and discreet typing experience. Each switch has attributes that can suit your needs, yet they lead to noticeably different tactile and auditory experiences, making your decision a matter of personal preference.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and environment. If you’re seeking a keyboard experience that balances a tactile feel with moderate sound, the Ash Gray switch may be the right choice for you. It delivers a satisfying tactile response without being overwhelming, making it ideal for both casual and office settings. The neutral sound profile allows you to type comfortably without distracting those around you, while the easy-to-press nature ensures a pleasant experience during long typing sessions. Conversely, if noise reduction is your primary concern, especially in shared spaces like offices or study areas, the MX Silent Red should be your go-to option. It operates silently while still providing the classic linear typing feel you might expect from MX switches. The muted sound combined with its textured feedback makes it versatile for both gaming and typing without disturbing others. In the end, your choice should reflect your personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and the environments in which you plan to use your keyboard.
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