HMX Cheese vs. KTT Hyacinth
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the KTT Hyacinth switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and KTT Hyacinth both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The HMX Cheese is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, accompanied by a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. These ultra-light linear switches are lighter than 90% of all switches, providing a swift and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth distinguishes itself with a 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to prevent the hard bottoming-out experience common with longer-stem switches. By prioritizing a balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the Hyacinth utilizes a single-stage elongated spring for a more consistent force curve. While the Cheese offers a unique typing feel and sound, the Hyacinth focuses on providing a comfortable and balanced 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the KTT Hyacinth, one key difference is found in the top housing. The Cheese utilizes nylon for its top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the material. On the other hand, the Hyacinth employs polycarbonate for its top housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound profile with a clearer and resonant tone. This contrast highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the sound produced by a switch, catering to different preferences for typing experience.
On the flip side, when examining the bottom housing of both switches, an interesting similarity emerges. Both the Cheese and the Hyacinth utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to their top housings. The use of nylon in the bottom housing allows for sound absorption, creating a duller and rounder sound that complements the qualities of the top housing material. This consistency in material choice for the bottom housing showcases how manufacturers prioritize sound quality and typing experience when designing mechanical switches.
Overall, the differing housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the KTT Hyacinth contribute to distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. While the Cheese's combination of nylon top and bottom housing results in a more muted and rounded sound, the Hyacinth's mix of polycarbonate and nylon creates a sharper and clearer tone. However, both switches demonstrate attention to detail in utilizing specific materials for each housing component to enhance the overall typing feel and sound output. Whether one prefers a deeper sound profile or a crisper tone, both switches offer unique qualities rooted in their housing material choices.
Weight
The HMX Cheese linear switch is lighter compared to the KTT Hyacinth linear switch in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force. The Cheese has a lower actuation force of 43 grams and a lower bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Hyacinth has a higher actuation force of 45 grams and a higher bottom out force of 56 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Cheese make it more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less effort to press the keys. On the other hand, the Hyacinth offers a slightly heavier push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer additional resistance in their keystrokes. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their preference for lighter or heavier key presses.
Travel distance
The HMX Cheese linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience the same amount of travel distance. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the distance the keys travel from the top to the bottom. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is identical, offering consistent feedback to users when typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.79.
The KTT Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
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 HMX Cheese linear switch offers a satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that is unique to its ultra-light design, making it lighter than the majority of switches on the market. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. This difference in sound characteristics showcases how the Cheese switch may provide a more distinct auditory experience while the Hyacinth switch offers a versatile sound profile that may cater to a broader audience.
In terms of feel, the HMX Cheese linear switch is known for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, providing users with a smooth and satisfying typing feel. In contrast, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch is described as offering a silky typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the Hyacinth switch is noted for its subtle resistance, creating a gentle typing feel that is suitable for shared spaces. These differences in typing feel highlight the Cheese switch's focus on smoothness and precision, while the Hyacinth switch prioritizes a balance between tactile feedback and user comfort.
Overall, the HMX Cheese linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cheese switch stands out for its ultra-light design, providing a distinctive clacky sound and unparalleled smoothness in typing. On the other hand, the Hyacinth switch focuses on a neutral sound profile and a silky typing experience, with a design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance for optimal user comfort. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that is sure to satisfy mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the HMX Cheese linear switch or the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, it's important to reflect on your typing preferences and environment. If you prioritize a lighter key press with a smooth and clacky typing experience, the Cheese switch may be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier key press with a design focused on minimizing bottoming-out and providing a consistent force curve, the Hyacinth switch could be more suited to your needs. Additionally, if you are looking for a switch with a neutral sound profile and a silky smooth typing feel, the Hyacinth switch might be the ideal choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on personal preference and the specific requirements of your typing style and work environment. Make sure to test out both switches if possible to determine which one feels more comfortable and efficient for your typing needs.
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