KTT Cream Yellow vs. HMX Xinhai (Heavy)

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) present two distinctive choices within the linear category. The Cream Yellow is celebrated for its bouncy, clacky experience, characterized by a shortened bottom-out distance and a long-pole stem that amplifies its resonant audio feedback, making each keystroke feel lively and engaging. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) offers a refined typing experience with its PA12 top housing that delivers a softer acoustic profile, paired with a POM stem that features a crisp, higher-pitched resonance, showcasing precision and subtlety. While the Cream Yellow might appeal to those who enjoy a more vibrant and tactile auditory experience, the Xinhai (Heavy) caters to users seeking a sophisticated yet responsive feel. 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 Xinhai (Heavy) Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switches showcase distinctive materials in their construction, particularly in their top housings, which significantly influences their sound profiles. The KTT Cream Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is largely due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances sound resonance and clarity. Moreover, its translucency makes it particularly advantageous for RGB lighting applications, as it allows for vivid illumination to shine through. In contrast, the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) features a nylon top housing that typically generates a much deeper and fuller sound. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a cushioned feel and a more rounded auditory experience. Thus, while both switches aim for pleasurable user experiences, they offer distinctly different auditory characteristics due to the materials used in their top housings.

The bottom housings of both switches, however, share a notable similarity as they are both crafted from nylon. This commonality allows for a consistent sound profile when the keys are fully depressed. The use of nylon in the bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound across both models, as it dampens sound more effectively than harder materials. Consequently, users can expect a similar impact on the bottom-out sound and overall key action from both switches, showcasing how the shared material enhances the tactile experience. The consistent use of nylon in the bottom housings highlights a common goal of enriching the typing experience through the fullness of sound, presenting users with a familiar auditory feedback regardless of the differences found in their top constructions.

Overall, the differences in housing materials for the KTT Cream Yellow and HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switches reflect their design philosophies. While the Cream Yellow’s polycarbonate top housing lends itself to a crisp sound profile suitable for RGB lighting, the Xinhai’s nylon top housing promotes a warmer and more muted auditory experience. However, their shared nylon bottom housings create a sense of cohesion in sound quality and feel during use. This illustrates how the interplay between different materials in a switch can converge to deliver a satisfying typing experience, allowing users to select switches based on their preferred sound and aesthetic while a core aspect of the tactile experience remains consistent.

Weight

The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switch present a moderate contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for different typing preferences. The Cream Yellow switch requires a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, compared to the heavier 55 grams of the Xinhai switch. Consequently, users who favor a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming may prefer the Cream Yellow for its ease of activation. In terms of bottom out forces, the Cream Yellow bottoming out at 58 grams is again lighter than the Xinhai's 62.5 grams, emphasizing its overall more comfortable feel for those seeking less resistance. Therefore, anyone who enjoys a more effortless typing experience would likely lean towards the Cream Yellow, while those who prefer a more forceful keystroke and a substantial typing experience may opt for the Xinhai (Heavy).

Travel distance

The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Cream Yellow the longer travel option by just 0.1 mm. For users who prefer deeper keystrokes that provide a more substantial feel beneath their fingers, the KTT Cream Yellow would be the better choice. On the other hand, gamers and those who favor a quicker response time might lean towards the HMX Xinhai due to its shorter travel distance, which could facilitate faster actuation. Overall, the choice between these two switches depends on individual preference for depth versus responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Cream Yellow switches are renowned for their distinctive clacky auditory profile, producing a crisp and bright sound that offers a lively and percussive experience with each keystroke. This characteristic is accentuated by the switch's reduced bottom-out distance and elongated stem, which together enhance the resonant audio feedback, making it particularly satisfying for users who enjoy an engaging and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switch presents a more subdued acoustic profile, crafted from a unique PA12 top housing that contributes to softer sounds. The POM stem allows for a high-pitched resonance that adds a subtle sophistication, but without the same level of percussive sound as the Cream Yellow. Although the sound produced by the Xinhai might not be as prominent, it certainly brings a different aesthetic that some users might prefer, especially in quieter environments.

In terms of feel, the Cream Yellow switch is characterized by a notably bouncy sensation, providing a spring-like rebound when keys are pressed. This creates an enjoyable typing experience, allowing for a lively interaction with the keyboard as it offers a degree of feedback that energizes the typing process. The HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switch, while details about its feel are not provided, is often associated with a more rigid and controlled sensation typical of heavier switches. Users might expect a denser feel compared to the Cream Yellow, which emphasizes a lighter and more dynamic rebound. The difference in tactile feedback will ultimately shape each user's preference based on their typing style and needs, though without explicit descriptions of the Xinhai’s feel, its comparison remains speculative.

In conclusion, while both the KTT Cream Yellow and HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switches deliver unique tactile experiences, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Cream Yellow boasts a lively, clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, appealing to users who enjoy a more engaging auditory experience coupled with energetic feedback. In contrast, the Xinhai’s softer acoustics and potentially more muted feedback offer a refined alternative for those who might prefer subtlety over exuberance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the overall sound profile desired in a mechanical keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switches largely depends on your typing preferences and the experience you're seeking. If you enjoy a lively typing sensation with engaging audio feedback, the Cream Yellow is an excellent choice. Its clacky sound profile and bouncy feel make it ideal for those who appreciate a more energetic and responsive typing experience. This switch would be especially well-suited for gamers or typists who thrive on an expressive keyboard feel and sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a more refined and sophisticated typing experience, the Xinhai (Heavy) is the way to go. With its slightly heavier bottom-out force and unique acoustic profile, it offers a balance of subtlety and precision, making it perfect for users who value a crisp and quieter keystroke while still getting adequate tactile feedback. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you lean towards an exuberant, clacky interaction or a smoother, more controlled typing experience. Both switches have their merits, so consider your personal preferences and typing style to find the perfect fit for your mechanical keyboard journey.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

Learn more

HMX Xinhai (Heavy) Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more