KTT Ash Gray vs. Haimu Orange Sea
An in-depth look at the KTT Ash Gray and the Haimu Orange Sea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing style, the KTT Ash Gray and the Haimu Orange Sea offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The KTT Ash Gray is a tactile switch that provides a balanced tactile response—delivering enough feedback to be enjoyable without overwhelming the user. Its light touch and crisp actuation make it a fantastic choice for those who appreciate subtle yet satisfying feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea stands out as a linear switch, prioritizing a smooth and seamless feel, which caters to users looking for a quiet and uninterrupted typing experience. With its neutral sound profile and invigorating touch, the Orange Sea is ideal for gamers and typists who prefer swift keystrokes without the tactile bump. Each switch offers unique benefits that can enhance different typing or gaming styles, but let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Ash Gray and Haimu Orange Sea switches share notable similarities, particularly in their top housing, both of which are composed of polycarbonate. This choice of material imparts a distinctive auditory quality to both switches, characterized by a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to this clarity and resonance, making it an excellent choice for enhancing sound characteristics. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects to shine through, adding an aesthetic appeal that is consistent across both models. Users can expect a similar auditory experience related to the top housings due to their identical material composition.
In contrast, the bottom housings of the KTT Ash Gray and Haimu Orange Sea employ nylon, a material widely recognized for its role in creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Unlike the polycarbonate top, nylon is a softer plastic, which absorbs more sound, resulting in a more rounded and muted auditory effect. The complementary nature of these materials means that the switches blend the characteristics of both housing types—where the polycarbonate contributes to the clarity and sharpness of the key release, the nylon adds weight and depth to the bottom-out sound during key presses. The subsequent duality of sound produced reflects the unique architectural design of each switch, leading to a varied yet harmonious auditory experience.
Ultimately, while both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, they also leverage nylon for the bottom housing, resulting in a balanced interplay of sound profiles. This combination means that users can expect a cohesively engineered typing experience, where the clarity of the top housing and the depth of the bottom housing complement one another. While the tonal qualities differ between the two materials, this design approach ensures that users will appreciate the full spectrum of sound that emerges from both the Ash Gray and the Orange Sea switches, showcasing the harmonious blend of material science and aesthetic design in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Ash Gray has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, which categorizes it as medium-light, while the Orange Sea features a slightly lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it light overall. This means that for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Orange Sea may be the better choice as it requires less force to actuate and bottoms out more easily. In contrast, the Ash Gray offers a heavier push feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. As a result, users seeking a relatively lighter option for extended periods of typing or gaming might gravitate towards the Haimu Orange Sea, while those who enjoy a firmer response would likely appreciate the KTT Ash Gray.
Travel distance
The KTT Ash Gray tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference, although minimal, means that when pressing down on a key, the Orange Sea will provide a slightly deeper feel than the Ash Gray. For users who prioritize responsiveness, the Ash Gray might be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for quicker actuation and a more immediate response. Conversely, those who favor a more substantial keypress experience may prefer the Haimu Orange Sea, which offers that extra 0.1 mm of depth. Overall, while both switches cater to different preferences in terms of depth and responsiveness, the Ash Gray stands out for those looking for a quicker actuation.
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 Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79 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
When comparing the sound profiles of the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, the Ash Gray is characterized by a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for a variety of settings, whether at home or in a professional environment. This allows users to type without drawing unnecessary attention to their keystrokes, an advantage for those who may be in quieter spaces. In contrast, the sound characteristics of the Orange Sea switch remain unspecified, leaving its acoustic performance an open question. However, since sound can be influenced by factors such as the choice of the keyboard and keycaps, both switches may yield a range of auditory experiences depending on the overall setup.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Ash Gray presents an easy-to-press mechanism, designed with gentle resistance that minimizes finger fatigue during extensive typing sessions. This light actuation force combined with mild tactile feedback creates an approachable typing experience that balances comfort and responsiveness. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switch stands out with its invigorating feel, providing pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive response. This makes for an engaging typing sensation, although it lacks the pronounced smoothness typically associated with linear switches. While the Ash Gray offers a more subdued tactile response, the Orange Sea's medium tactile quality provides a distinct, yet not overwhelming, experience.
Overall, both switches cater to different preferences while still maintaining remarkable qualities for a typing experience. The KTT Ash Gray excels in delivering a comfortable, tactile response with a neutral sound, making it a versatile option for extensive typing. The Haimu Orange Sea, while lacking specific sound characteristics, compensates with its invigorating tactile feedback and smoothness. Depending on personal preference, either switch would serve well in a mechanical keyboard setup, yet the Ash Gray might appeal more to those who favor a tactile and mild approach, while the Orange Sea could attract users looking for a more reactive and engaged typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch largely depends on your typing preferences and intended usage. If you appreciate a notable tactile bump without overwhelming feedback, the Ash Gray switch is an excellent choice, particularly for typing tasks where responsive feedback enhances your experience—like coding or writing. Its medium-light actuation force makes it easy on the fingers, allowing for extended typing sessions without fatigue while maintaining a neutral sound profile suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. On the other hand, if you're looking for a fluid typing experience with minimal resistance, the Haimu Orange Sea switch will delight you with its light actuation force and smooth, poppy feel. This switch shines during gaming sessions or rapid typing, offering a linear response that’s both invigorating and satisfying. In summary, if you favor tactile feedback for an engaging experience, go for the Ash Gray; however, if you value speed and fluidity in your keystrokes, the Orange Sea will be your best bet.
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