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HMX Cheese vs. TTC Silent Red

An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, both offer exceptional smoothness and a seamless typing experience. The HMX Cheese stands out with its satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, making it a unique choice for those who enjoy a lighter typing feel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red is perfect for those seeking a quiet typing experience, as it has a muted sound profile ideal for office or shared living spaces. While the HMX Cheese is lighter than 90% of switches, the Silent Red offers a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, with a padded bottom-out for added comfort. 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

63.5g

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

Partial box

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

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

22mm single-staged spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the TTC Silent Red switches, we can see that the Cheese utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings, while the Silent Red uses polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The use of nylon in both the top and bottom housings of the Cheese switches creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent Red switches have a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the polycarbonate top housing, which is a stiffer plastic that leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Both switches benefit from the use of nylon in the bottom housing, but the Silent Red's polycarbonate top housing gives it a unique sound profile compared to the Cheese.

Although both the Cheese and Silent Red switches utilize nylon in the bottom housing, the differences in their top housing materials result in distinct sound profiles. The Cheese switches provide a deeper and fuller sound due to the softness of the nylon material, while the Silent Red switches offer a sharper and crisper sound with the use of polycarbonate in the top housing. However, both switches benefit from the qualities of nylon in the bottom housing, which contributes to a similar duller and rounder sound profile when typing on them. The split between the bottom and top housing materials allows for unique characteristics to shine through when using each switch.

Ultimately, the choice between the HMX Cheese and TTC Silent Red switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile. The Cheese switches provide a deeper and fuller sound due to the nylon material used in both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a more rounded typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red switches offer a sharper and crisper sound with the polycarbonate top housing, providing a more resonant and clear typing experience. Both switches benefit from the absorption qualities of nylon in the bottom housing, creating a similar impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a sharper, crisper sound, both switches deliver their own unique typing experience based on their housing materials.

Weight

The HMX Cheese linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the TTC Silent Red's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Cheese is also lighter at 46 grams, while the Silent Red requires a heavier 63.5 grams to bottom out. This means that the HMX Cheese linear switch provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer less resistance when typing for extended periods. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch offers a more substantial feel with its heavier bottom out force, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Silent Red switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cheese switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for gamers looking for faster response times. However, if you prefer a slightly deeper key press, the TTC Silent Red may be the better option for you. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference for the amount of key travel desired.

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 $3.99.

The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.

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 HMX Cheese linear switch offers a unique and satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that stands out from other switches on the market, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is designed to produce a muted sound profile, perfect for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum, such as offices or shared living spaces. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific environment in which they will be used.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Cheese linear switch provides an unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, offering an ultra-light touch that is lighter than the majority of switches available. This provides a unique typing sensation that may be preferred by those who enjoy a lighter keystroke. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is described as having a buttery, mild, and polished feel, offering a smooth and consistent typing experience from top to bottom with a padded bottom-out feel for added comfort. This makes the Silent Red switch a great choice for those seeking a uniform and effortless typing sensation.

In conclusion, both the HMX Cheese linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences and environments. The HMX Cheese switch provides a more pronounced and clacky sound with an ultra-light touch, while the TTC Silent Red switch offers a muted sound profile and a smooth, consistent feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the individual's preference for sound, feel, and typing experience. Nonetheless, both switches promise to deliver a high-quality and enjoyable typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, consider the following: if you prioritize a light actuation force and enjoy a crisp and clacky typing sound, the HMX Cheese switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force and desire a smooth and quiet typing experience, the TTC Silent Red switch would be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences regarding typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force when choosing between these two linear switch options.

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