Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Mallo
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Mallo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Mallo are both excellent options for those who prefer a tactile typing experience. The Crystal Violet provides a relaxed and stepped tactile feel with a light operating force of 45g, offering a gentle and comfortable typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the KTT Mallo switches are designed with subtlety and finesse in mind, offering a gentle tactility and medium-light typing feel. They feature a neutral sound signature that ensures versatility in various typing environments. Both switches are categorized as providing a mild and stepped tactile experience, making them ideal for typists who appreciate feedback without being overpowering. 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Mallo switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for its top and bottom housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Mallo incorporates polycarbonate for its top housing, creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile that is especially enhanced when paired with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Mallo's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing, due to nylon's ability to absorb more sound.
While both switches have different top and bottom housing materials, they each offer distinct sound qualities based on the properties of their respective materials. The Crystal Violet's combination of ABS top and bottom housings results in a more uniform sound profile, with a focus on the lower pitch created by ABS. In comparison, the Mallo's polycarbonate top housing adds a sharp and crisp sound when letting go of a key, complementing the deeper and fuller sound produced by the nylon bottom housing. These differences in housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and sound profile of each switch.
In conclusion, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Mallo plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and feel of the typing experience. While the Crystal Violet features ABS for both top and bottom housing, resulting in a uniform low-pitched sound profile, the Mallo combines polycarbonate and nylon for a sharper and crisper sound profile with deeper and fuller tones. Understanding the impact of housing materials on sound and feel can help enthusiasts choose switches that best suit their preferences in typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Mallo tactile switch, it is evident that they both have a bottom out force of 55 grams, making them both medium-light in terms of resistance. However, the Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Mallo does not specify its actuation force. The lighter actuation force of the Crystal Violet may appeal to those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of comfortable typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Mallo's unspecified actuation force may not provide the same level of feedback or responsiveness. For those who appreciate a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be the preferred choice due to its defined actuation force. Ultimately, the weight of the actuation force plays a significant role in determining the typing experience that each switch offers.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Mallo tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, the distance traveled from the top to the bottom is the same. Users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of key travel with both switches. The tactile feedback and actuation force of each switch may vary, but when it comes to travel distance, the Crystal Violet and Mallo are on par with each other.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The KTT Mallo has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mallo for $4.40.
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
When comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Mallo tactile switch, both switches exhibit a neutral sound profile. However, the Crystal Violet leans towards a low-pitched spectrum, creating a mellow and subtle auditory experience, thanks to the special use of ABS in the switch housings. On the other hand, the Mallo offers a more subdued sound signature, producing a dampened sound when pressed without being completely silent. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the overall sound setup of your keyboard.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped, offering a smooth and gentle typing experience with a two-stage tactile feel. Conversely, the KTT Mallo switch is described as feathery, mild, stepped, and subtle, providing a light and comfortable typing feel with a gentle resistance. Both switches aim to strike a balance between feedback and typing comfort, catering to typists with varying preferences for key feel.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Mallo tactile switches both offer unique qualities that cater to those seeking a relaxed and comfortable typing experience. While the Crystal Violet leans towards a mellow sound profile and a creamy typing feel, the Mallo provides a more subtle sound signature and a feathery typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, ensuring that you can achieve a satisfying typing experience with either switch option.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Mallo tactile switches, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a creamy and mild typing experience with a slightly stepped tactile feel along with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a feathery and mild typing feel with a subtle and subdued sound signature, along with a stepped tactile sensation that is also subtle, then the KTT Mallo switch might be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you value a slightly more pronounced tactile feedback with a lower-pitched sound, or a more understated feel with a subtle sound profile. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and environment.
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