Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. KTT Hyacinth
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the KTT Hyacinth switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the KTT Hyacinth offer distinct experiences for users looking for tactile and linear switches, respectively. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is praised for its budget-friendly yet high-quality build, providing users with a satisfying poppy and clacky sound profile paired with a smooth tactile sensation. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth sets itself apart with its unique 3.5mm travel distance design, aiming to eliminate the hard bottoming-out experience often associated with longer-stem switches. While the Cream Blue Pro is lauded for its accentuated, bouncy feel, and snappy feedback, the Hyacinth is favored for its neutral, silky, and subtle characteristics. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and KTT Hyacinth both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for switches that utilize RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics and sound quality, both keyboards offer similar performance due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
While the V3 Cream Blue Pro utilizes a nylon bottom housing to create a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Hyacinth also employs nylon for its bottom housing for similar sound qualities. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Typing on switches that use nylon bottom housings can provide a unique tactile experience, enhancing the overall typing feel and sound output of the keyboard. Both keyboards offer a similar typing experience due to their shared use of nylon in the bottom housing.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and KTT Hyacinth may lead to subtle variations in sound profiles and tactile feedback. While their polycarbonate top housings create a sharp, crisp sound, the nylon bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller sound experience. Each housing material brings its own unique qualities to the keyboard, contributing to the overall typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper sound or a fuller sound, both keyboards offer a blend of characteristics that cater to different typing preferences.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch have similar actuation forces, both requiring 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. However, the V3 Cream Blue Pro has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Hyacinth has a bottom out force of 56 grams, making the Hyacinth slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. This difference may result in a slightly more substantial typing experience with the Hyacinth compared to the V3 Cream Blue Pro. Despite this difference, both switches fall into the medium-light category in terms of weight, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter actuation force for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches may come down to personal preference for the level of resistance desired in a keyboard switch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch is 3.3mm, while the KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. The V3 Cream Blue Pro may provide a slightly more responsive feel with its shorter travel distance, while the Hyacinth offers a bit more depth to the key press. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro has an MSRP of $2.88 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Blue Pro for $2.00.
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
In terms of sound, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are known for their distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, accompanied by a commendable level of smoothness. This combination makes them particularly appealing for users who appreciate a lively, audible feedback that's harmoniously paired with a creamy, tactile sensation. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also dependent on other factors such as your choice of board and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are characterized as accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished. This translates to a medium tactile switch that provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, a spring-like feedback sensation, super responsive typing experience, and a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth switches are described as silky and subtle. This means they offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys, and a gentle resistance that maintains a light typing feel without being too feather-like, suitable for shared spaces.
In conclusion, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches provide a lively and audible typing experience with a creamy, tactile sensation, while the KTT Hyacinth switches offer a smooth and subtle typing experience without being too resistant. While both switches have their unique qualities, users can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing experience depending on their preferences and usage scenarios.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the KTT Hyacinth switches, consider your preferences for sound and feel. If you appreciate a lively and audible feedback with a creamy, tactile sensation, the V3 Cream Blue Pro may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth typing experience with gentle resistance and a neutral sound profile, the Hyacinth switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to prioritize what aspects are most important to you when choosing between these two options.
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