KTT Ash Gray vs. HC Studio Roselle
An in-depth look at the KTT Ash Gray and the HC Studio Roselle switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Ash Gray and the HC Studio Roselle are two popular options that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Ash Gray is a tactile switch, known for its light yet crisp actuation, providing a delightful blend of tactile feedback without being overwhelming. In contrast, the Roselle is a linear switch celebrated for its smooth and ethereally wispy sensation, creating a subtle low-pitched sound when typing. The Ash Gray is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', while the Roselle is described as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', and 'Neutral'. Each switch has its own strengths, but the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. 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
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
52g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
20.5mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Ash Gray's housing materials, polycarbonate for the top and nylon for the bottom, offer a combination of sharp, high-pitched sound from the polycarbonate top and a deeper, fuller sound from the nylon bottom. In contrast, the HC Studio Roselle uses POM for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a unique sound profile that leans towards the deeper and more muted side. While the Ash Gray provides a balance of clear and resonant sounds due to the stiffer polycarbonate top, the Roselle's POM material creates a more subdued sound overall.
Both the KTT Ash Gray and the HC Studio Roselle offer switches with housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. While the Ash Gray uses different materials for the top and bottom housings, the Roselle has consistent POM material throughout. This allows for a consistent depth and muted sound profile in the Roselle switches, whereas the Ash Gray switches exhibit a blend of sharper, high-pitched sounds from the polycarbonate top and deeper, fuller sounds from the nylon bottom. Ultimately, both switches provide unique sound experiences based on their housing materials.
In terms of aesthetics and functionality, the KTT Ash Gray's polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through due to its translucency, adding a visual element to the switch. The combination of the stiffer polycarbonate top and softer nylon bottom creates a versatile sound profile that caters to different preferences. On the other hand, the HC Studio Roselle's consistent POM housing provides a cohesive sound experience that leans towards a deeper and more muted tone. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials, allowing for a personalized typing experience for users.
Weight
The KTT Ash Gray tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the 45 grams of the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, making the Ash Gray easier to trigger keystrokes. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Ash Gray requiring 53 grams and the Roselle needing 52 grams. This means that although the Ash Gray is lighter to activate, both switches provide a similar typing experience once the key is fully pressed. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Ash Gray for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may appreciate the slightly heavier actuation force of the Roselle for a more substantial and precise typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference based on typing style and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Ash Gray tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly shorter than the HC Studio Roselle linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. While the 0.1 mm may not seem like a significant difference, it can impact the feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Ash Gray, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Roselle. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience desired. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, but each offers a slightly different feel when pressed.
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 HC Studio Roselle has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Roselle for $4.70.
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 KTT Ash Gray switch is classified as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various typing environments and experience levels. On the other hand, the HC Studio Roselle switch is described as having a bassy and low-pitched sound, providing a deeper and richer auditory experience during typing sessions. This difference in sound profile between the Ash Gray and Roselle switches offers users the option to choose based on their preference for key press acoustics, with the Ash Gray providing a more neutral sound and the Roselle offering a bass-heavy tone.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Ash Gray switch is known for being easy-to-press and mild in its typing experience. It offers a gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate, thus reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Roselle switch, on the other hand, is described as frictionless and mild. It provides an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Both switches offer a comfortable typing feel, with the Ash Gray emphasizing ease of use and the Roselle focusing on a fluid typing experience.
Overall, the KTT Ash Gray and HC Studio Roselle switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ash Gray switch provides a lighter touch and a neutral sound profile suitable for most users, the Roselle switch offers a smooth and frictionless feel along with a bass-heavy, low-pitched sound signature. Depending on individual preferences for key press feedback and auditory experience, users can choose between the tactile response of the Ash Gray switch or the smoothness and richness of the Roselle switch to enhance their typing sessions. Ultimately, both switches offer quality performance and comfort, allowing users to enjoy a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a light touch with a crisp actuation and a delightful blend of tactile feedback, the Ash Gray would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and ethereally wispy typing experience with a subtle, low-pitched sound signature, the Roselle would be more suitable. The Ash Gray is ideal for those looking for an easy-to-press and mild typing experience, while the Roselle offers a frictionless and mild typing feel. Consider your sound and feel preferences, as well as your bottom out force preference, to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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