KTT Cream Yellow vs. HMX EVA

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the merits of various options to tailor their typing experience. The KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX EVA, both linear switches, offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow is celebrated for its distinctively clacky sound and a bouncy feel, attributed to its shortened bottom-out distance and elongated spring, which provide a satisfying auditory and tactile feedback with each keystroke. Conversely, the HMX EVA boasts a silky smooth typing experience, complemented by a resonant sound signature reminiscent of the iconic colors of the Evangelion Unit-01, offering a unique blend of feathery lightness and a clack that enhances the sensory experience. While both switches bring a level of excitement to the typing experience, they cater to different auditory and tactile desires. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

HMX EVA Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the KTT Cream Yellow switches and the HMX EVA switches, the primary distinction lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Cream Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, which enables a sharper and crisper sound profile. This rigidity contributes to a clearer sound resonance, making it particularly suitable for RGB lighting setups where the visual aesthetic is enhanced through its clear properties. In contrast, the HMX EVA utilizes a nylon top housing. Nylon is celebrated for its softer composition that absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound experience. This difference in top housing material fundamentally alters the auditory characteristics of the two switches, with the Cream Yellow delivering a bright and precise sound, while the EVA offers a more rounded, muted tone.

However, when we examine the bottom housings of both switches, we find a commonality that influences their sound profiles. Both the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX EVA utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which promotes a deeper and fuller auditory experience. As nylon absorbs sound, it contributes to the overall feel of typing by making lower frequencies more pronounced and the bottom-out sound softer. Thus, while the unique top housing materials contribute diverse sound profiles when keys are released, the shared nylon bottom housing may create more similarity in the typing experience, giving users that familiar depth regardless of which switch they engage with.

Ultimately, the difference in sound profiles between the KTT Cream Yellow and HMX EVA switches can be attributed to their varying top housing materials. The polycarbonate top of the Cream Yellow induces a bright sound during key release, while the EVA’s nylon top offers a more subdued auditory effect. However, the identical nylon bottom housing means that the two switches will share a fuller and richer bottom-out sound, leading to a consistent tactile feeling across both models despite their top housing disparities. Consequently, users may appreciate aspects of both switches, depending on their preferences for sound clarity versus warmth and depth in their typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the HMX EVA linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Cream Yellow switch features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, placing it in the medium range in terms of tactile feedback. In contrast, the EVA switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it preferable for users who favor a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Thus, the KTT Cream Yellow is the heavier option, while the HMX EVA is lighter. While both switches provide unique experiences based on their force dynamics, users looking for a heavier and more substantial feel may gravitate toward the Cream Yellow, whereas those seeking a softer push will find the EVA more suitable.

Travel distance

The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX EVA linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Cream Yellow is the shorter option, making it potentially more responsive for users who favor quicker key presses, which is often preferred by gamers. In contrast, the EVA's longer travel distance can provide a more pronounced tactile feedback, appealing to those who enjoy a deeper key feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to individual preference: if you prioritize speed and responsiveness, the Cream Yellow is the better choice, whereas if you appreciate a more substantial key travel, the EVA may be more suitable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, both the KTT Cream Yellow and HMX EVA switches deliver a distinctly clacky auditory experience. Each is characterized by a sharp and snappy sound profile that is described as crisp, bright, and percussive. This similarity ensures that users will encounter a lively sound environment while typing, providing an engaging auditory feedback that can enhance the overall typing experience. However, it’s important to note that the final sound quality can also be influenced by other factors, such as the choice of keyboard housing and keycaps.

In terms of feel, the experience diverges significantly between the two switches. The Cream Yellow is known for its uniquely bouncy typing feel, stemming from its long-pole stem and lengthened spring, which adds a lively responsiveness to every keystroke. On the other hand, the EVA switch is multifaceted in its tactile characteristics; it is exceptionally light and requires minimal force to actuate, thereby reducing finger fatigue during extended use. The silky smoothness of the EVA switch further enhances the typing experience by minimizing resistance when keys are pressed and released, and its bouncy nature adds an elastic feedback sensation, making it a comfortable choice for long typing sessions.

In conclusion, while both the KTT Cream Yellow and HMX EVA linear switches offer a clacky sound profile that can create an engaging typing atmosphere, their tactile characteristics diverge significantly. The Cream Yellow focuses on a bouncy and lively feel, while the EVA offers a feathery, silky smooth, and also bouncy experience. For those prioritizing sound, either switch will provide similar auditory satisfaction, but for those focused on typing dynamics, the choice will depend on the desired tactile feedback and comfort levels unique to each switch.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the HMX EVA linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a medium bottom-out force that offers a bouncy and dynamic feel, the Cream Yellow switch could be ideal for you, especially if you appreciate the distinct clacky sound that it produces. This switch is particularly well-suited for typists who want an engaging auditory and tactile experience, making it perfect for casual typing and gaming sessions where feedback and response are significant. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a silkier and more effortless typing experience, the HMX EVA switch should be your go-to. Its low actuation force and smooth feel make it great for extended use, reducing finger fatigue and allowing for quick and comfortable typing or gaming marathons. It still delivers a similar clacky sound, but the overall experience leans towards a gentle, feathery touch that many find appealing for long periods of use. Ultimately, consider how you typically type and which aspects—whether it's feedback, weight, or sound—are most important to you to make the best decision.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

Learn more

HMX EVA Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more