KTT Cream Yellow vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the KTT Cream Yellow and the Cherry MX Silent Red, you have two unique options to consider. The Cream Yellow offers a distinctively clacky sound with its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, providing a bouncy typing feel. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red offers a similar typing experience to the MX Red but with the added benefit of silent operation, perfect for noise-sensitive environments. The Cream Yellow is categorized as 'Bouncy' and 'Clacky', while the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured'. Both switches have their own set of advantages, 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Cream Yellow and the Cherry MX Silent Red, it is clear that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon is known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This similarity means that when typing on either switch, users can expect a similar experience in terms of the sound produced when bottoming out keys.
On the other hand, the Cream Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, while the MX Silent Red utilizes a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Cream Yellow produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This is especially useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as polycarbonate's translucency enhances the overall aesthetic. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the MX Silent Red creates a duller and rounder sound, as nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper tone when pressing down on keys.
Overall, the choice between the KTT Cream Yellow and the Cherry MX Silent Red comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and feel. While both switches may share a nylon bottom housing for a deeper sound experience, the Cream Yellow's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for RGB setups. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red's nylon top housing provides a duller and rounder sound, catering to those who prefer a softer typing experience. Regardless, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that the Cream Yellow requires a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Silent Red's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Cream Yellow is also higher at 58 grams, whereas the Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the Cream Yellow would provide a slightly heavier typing experience, which may be preferred by those looking for a more substantial feel. On the other hand, the Silent Red offers a lighter actuation force, which can be advantageous for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Overall, both switches offer their own advantages based on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Cherry MX Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the KTT Cream Yellow. The difference between the two switches may not be significant, but it could have an impact on the feel and responsiveness of the keyboard. Gamers who prefer a faster response time might lean towards the Cream Yellow with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress might opt for the MX Silent Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, but both switches offer a similar experience with only a slight variance in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 Cream Yellow switch offers a distinctively clacky and resonant audio feedback, creating a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red provides a muted and thocky sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards and offering a deep and satisfying tone. While the Cream Yellow switch leans towards a brighter and more percussive sound, the MX Silent Red delivers a quieter and more bass-heavy tone, making it an ideal choice for noise-sensitive environments.
When it comes to feel, the Cream Yellow switch is characterized by its bouncy typing experience, providing a spring-like and lively feel with a rebound effect when keys are pressed. In contrast, the MX Silent Red switch is described as textured, potentially indicating a noticeable friction when typing. This texture may be preferred by some users, while others may prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience. The bouncy nature of the Cream Yellow switch offers a unique and lively feel, while the textured attribute of the MX Silent Red may cater to different preferences in terms of typing feedback.
Overall, both the Cream Yellow and MX Silent Red switches offer distinctive qualities in sound and feel. The Cream Yellow provides a clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel, creating a lively and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red offers a muted sound profile with potentially textured feedback, delivering a quieter typing experience that may cater to those in noise-sensitive environments. Depending on individual preferences for sound, feel, and noise level, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's specific preferences and requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, you should choose the Cream Yellow if you value a distinctively clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel. This switch is best for those who enjoy a sharp and snappy keyboard sound with a lively rebound sensation. On the other hand, opt for the MX Silent Red if you prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the satisfying feel of a linear switch. This switch is ideal for noise-sensitive environments where a muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile is preferred. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to whether you prioritize sound or feel in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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