KTT Cream Yellow vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offer intriguing options, each catering to distinct preferences. The Cream Yellow is renowned for its clacky sound profile and bouncy typing feel, making it an exhilarating choice for those who enjoy auditory feedback and a lively typing experience. The switch's shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem enhance the resonant audio feedback, allowing for a satisfying connection with every keystroke. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is engineered for a peaceful typing environment, offering a whisper-quiet experience ideal for users who need to minimize noise, such as in shared workspaces. With its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, the Silent Sakura caters to light typists who value subtleness over sound. While both switches are linear, their unique characteristics make them suited for different typing experiences, enticing users to consider their personal preferences in sound and touch. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches exhibit notable differences in their housing materials, which significantly influences their acoustic profiles. The Cream Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, contributing to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which facilitates a more resonant sound when the key is released. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g utilizes a nylon top housing, known for its softer properties. This material produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound energy and resulting in a duller, rounder auditory experience. This fundamental contrast in materials leads to distinctly different sound signatures when the keys are pressed and released.
On the bottom side, the KTT Cream Yellow employs a nylon housing, while the Silent Sakura - 43g features a polycarbonate bottom housing. The nylon bottom of the Cream Yellow mirrors the material properties of its top housing and enhances the overall key feel with a deeper sound profile, particularly impacting the bottom-out sound and tactile feedback when pressed. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom used in the Silent Sakura - 43g pushes the sound profile towards a brighter tone, allowing for sharper sound characteristics upon bottoming out. This combination of soft and hard materials in both switches serves to balance their sound profiles, making either switch appealing to different preferences among typists and gamers.
In essence, while the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches utilize opposing materials for their top and bottom housings, they each achieve a distinctive blend of sound characteristics through their unique compositions. If you were to switch the configurations of the housing materials, you would notice that the overall auditory experience would largely depend on the material used in the bottom of the switch for bottoming out sounds, while the top housing would shape the key release tones. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users may find that both switches can yield satisfying results by selecting one or the other based on the desired auditory experience provided by the interplay of their housing materials.
Weight
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch differ significantly in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cream Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, making it a medium-weight switch suited for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers a much lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a lighter touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Consequently, if you're looking for a keyboard that minimizes fatigue over long use, the Silent Sakura would be the better choice due to its lighter forces. Conversely, if you value a firmer feel when typing, the Cream Yellow would be more appropriate. Overall, the KTT Cream Yellow is heavier compared to the HMX Silent Sakura, which is designed for those who favor a lighter keystroke experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Cream Yellow offers a slightly shallower press, catering to users who prefer quicker response times often favored by gamers, as shorter travel distances can lead to faster actuation. In contrast, the Silent Sakura's 4 mm travel distance aligns more with traditional preferences, offering a deeper press that some users may find more satisfying and less abrupt. Consequently, those who enjoy a more tactile experience are likely to gravitate towards the HMX Silent Sakura due to its longer travel distance. Thus, if responsiveness is a priority, the Cream Yellow is the better option, while the Silent Sakura may be better suited for users wanting a more substantial tactile feel.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 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 sound profile of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch is characterized by a distinctively clacky tone, producing sharp, crisp, and bright auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience. This percussive quality comes from its shortened bottom-out distance and the long-pole stem, making every keystroke feel tactile and resonant. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch offers a much quieter typing experience, likened to the soft and gentle sound of raindrops against a window. This switch is designed for a whisper-quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a serene typing environment or work in shared spaces.
When it comes to feel, the Cream Yellow switch stands out for its bouncy nature, providing a lively and spring-like feedback as you type. The lengthened spring creates a sense of rebound, allowing for fast-paced typing with a gratifying sensation. On the other hand, the feel of the Silent Sakura - 43g switch is unknown in this context, but given its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, it is likely designed to accommodate lighter typists who enjoy a manageable and effortless keystroke without much resistance.
In summary, choosing between the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches comes down to preferences for sound and feel. If you appreciate audible feedback and a lively typing experience, the Cream Yellow will serve you well. However, if a quiet workspace is more your style, the Silent Sakura offers a calm and gentle sound profile. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, ensuring you can find a suitable option based on your requirements.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard. If you enjoy a more tactile, bouncy experience and appreciate the energizing feedback of a well-timed clack while typing, the Cream Yellow switch, with its medium bottom-out force of 58 grams, will likely satisfy your needs. It’s perfect for an energetic typing session where sound and feedback may enhance your overall experience, making it suitable for gaming or creative work in a space where a bit of noise is acceptable. Alternatively, if you prefer a quieter typing experience, the Silent Sakura - 43g switch is designed specifically for that. With its light bottom-out force of 43 grams, this switch delivers a serene typing experience that allows for prolonged use without tiring out your fingers. It’s an excellent choice for office environments or shared spaces where you want to maintain focus without disturbing those around you. Ultimately, both switches offer unique benefits; choosing the right one for you will ensure a more enjoyable and efficient typing experience.
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