Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and KTT Wine Red are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics for typing enthusiasts. The Cloudy Shadow's neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to the extended springs, provide a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force, showcasing Aflion's quality and innovation in the industry. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches are praised for their pillowy light type feel and deep, rich sound profile, making typing on them a satisfying experience. While the Cloudy Shadow is categorized as low-pitched, mild, and neutral, the Wine Red is described as bassy and low-pitched. Each switch has its own appeal, with the Cloudy Shadow offering a comfortable and balanced typing experience, and the Wine Red providing a more tactile and satisfying feel. 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
N/A
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the KTT Wine Red both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. While both switches share this top housing material, they differ in their bottom housing composition. The Cloudy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Wine Red features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which shares similar characteristics with the top housing, contributing to a sharper and crisper sound profile.
Despite the differences in their bottom housing materials, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and KTT Wine Red both offer unique characteristics based on their housing compositions. While the Cloudy Shadow's nylon bottom housing provides a duller and rounder sound, the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharp and crisp sound profile found in its top housing. This demonstrates how the qualities of each housing material can influence the overall sound and feel of a switch. Additionally, the split between top and bottom housing allows for a more nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon key release.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the KTT Wine Red will come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. Both switches offer unique qualities based on their housing materials, with the Cloudy Shadow providing a deeper sound profile thanks to its nylon bottom housing, and the Wine Red maintaining a sharper sound profile with its polycarbonate bottom housing. Whether one prefers a duller and fuller sound or a sharper and crisper sound, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their distinct housing compositions.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch are quite different. The Cloudy Shadow switch has no specified actuation force, while the Wine Red switch has an actuation force of 44 grams. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, whereas the Wine Red switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is considered medium-light. In terms of weight, the Wine Red switch is lighter overall compared to the Cloudy Shadow switch. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Wine Red switch, as it allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. However, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may find the heavier bottom out force of the Cloudy Shadow switch more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, the Cloudy Shadow has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Wine Red has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Cloudy Shadow's travel distance is ideal for those who prefer a quicker and more responsive feel, such as gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Wine Red's longer travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial and deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and the specific feel desired for typing or gaming experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloudy Shadow for $3.91.
The KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is known for its neutral and low-pitched sound profile, providing a balanced and mellow tone during key presses. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch offers a deep and rich sound with a bassy and low-pitched characteristic. While the Cloudy Shadow provides a mild typing experience with a bouncy feel due to extended springs, the feel of the Wine Red switch is described as pillowy light, offering a satisfyingly gentle typing experience.
Overall, both switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. If you prefer a more neutral and balanced typing experience with a low-pitched sound, the Cloudy Shadow linear switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deep and rich sound profile with a pillowy light typing feel, the KTT Wine Red linear switch would be a great option. Ultimately, both switches offer quality and innovation in their own right, providing a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a neutral sound profile and bouncy feel, the Cloudy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter typing experience with a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, the Wine Red switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider your own typing style and sound preferences when making a decision.
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