KTT Cream Yellow vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offer unique experiences for users with different preferences. The Cream Yellow switch stands out for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch from Outemu provides a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its factory-lubed, translucent jade yellow housing and punchy tactile bump. While the Cream Yellow is best known for its bouncy and clacky characteristics, the Silent Yellow Jade is favored for its quiet and tactile typing experience. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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 Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, it is evident that they both feature nylon bottom housings. This means that typing on both switches will likely elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. However, the Cream Yellow boasts a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This contrast in top housing materials will impact the sound produced when pressing and releasing a key on the switches.
While the Cream Yellow and the Silent Yellow Jade share a nylon bottom housing, their top housing materials diverge with the Cream Yellow featuring polycarbonate and the Silent Yellow Jade utilizing nylon. The Cream Yellow's polycarbonate top housing is known for creating a resonant and clear sound profile, ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound than polycarbonate and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in top housing materials will significantly impact the overall auditory experience when using the switches.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade will depend on personal preference for sound profile and typing experience. The Cream Yellow's combination of a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing will likely deliver a unique sound profile with sharp and resonant characteristics. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade's consistent use of nylon for both top and bottom housing will result in a deeper and fuller sound profile throughout. While both switches offer distinct qualities, it is important to consider how the different housing materials will affect the overall typing and sound experience based on individual preferences.
Weight
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch both have an actuation force of 50 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initial force required. However, where they differ is in their bottom out force. The Cream Yellow has a bottom out force of 58 grams, making it lighter than the Silent Yellow Jade which has a bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Cream Yellow provides a slightly lighter typing experience overall, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more substantial push feel. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, catering to different preferences in terms of typing feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on whether a lighter or heavier typing experience is preferred.
Travel distance
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular for quicker responses, especially among gamers. The Cream Yellow is slightly longer than the Silent Yellow Jade, but the difference of 0.2 mm may not be noticeable to most users. In terms of travel distance, both switches offer a relatively short distance compared to more traditional switches, making them both suitable options for those seeking fast and responsive keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two would likely come down to personal preference in terms of the feel and response of the switch rather than the minimal difference 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 Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10 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 Cream Yellow linear switch is known for its distinctively clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offers a quieter typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its factory-lubed feature and unique translucent jade yellow housing. When it comes to feel, the Cream Yellow switch is characterized by its bouncy sensation, offering a lively and spring-like feedback upon key presses. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available on the tactile feel of the Silent Yellow Jade switch. Overall, if you enjoy a clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel, the Cream Yellow switch would be a great choice. However, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a tactile feedback, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your choice will also be influenced by other aspects such as your keyboard setup and personal preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a distinctively clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel, opt for the Cream Yellow. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade would be more suitable for you. Additionally, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, the Cream Yellow at 58 grams would be preferable over the Silent Yellow Jade at 65 grams. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference in sound, feel, and typing experience.
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