Outemu Crystal vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that come to mind are the Outemu Crystal and the TTC Gold Red, both of which are linear switches. The Crystal switches are known for their unique and elastic typing experience, offering a medium-light weight that adds to the overall feel. Additionally, these switches provide a neutral sound profile, ensuring a quiet and undisturbed typing session. On the other hand, the Gold Red switches boast a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. They offer a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. In terms of categorization, the Crystal switches are described as "chirpy," "high-pitched," and "polished," while the Gold Red switches are categorized as "thocky," "low-pitched," "neutral," "mild," "silky," "subtle," and "polished." However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, ensuring that you are well-informed to make the best switch choice for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Crystal and TTC Gold Red switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The stiffness of polycarbonate allows for a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal material for those seeking a precise and vibrant typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate lends itself well to RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing aesthetic.
While the top housings of both switches share similar qualities due to their polycarbonate construction, their bottom housings differ. The Crystal features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which further enhances the overall sound profile of the switch. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a sharper and more resonant bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Gold Red adopts a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a slightly duller and rounder sound when bottoming out a key compared to the Crystal.
It is important to note that when using switches with different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on a switch, the impact and resulting sound will be influenced more by the bottom housing, whether it's the stiffer polycarbonate of the Crystal or the softer nylon of the Gold Red. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound profiles, with the Crystal providing a sharper and crisper experience and the Gold Red offering a deeper and fuller sound.
Weight
When comparing and contrasting the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Crystal switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, slightly heavier than the Gold Red's 43 grams. This means that the Crystal switch requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Crystal switch measures at 55 grams, while the Gold Red is slightly lighter at 50 grams. This indicates that the Crystal switch provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires a bit more force to fully press down the keys compared to the Gold Red switch.
Considering weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation and bottom out forces offered by the Gold Red switch. The lighter forces allow for longer typing sessions, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Crystal switch, as its heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a more substantial typing experience.
Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Crystal and TTC Gold Red linear switches are different, they both offer a similar typing experience in terms of force required. However, if one prefers a slightly lighter touch, the Gold Red switch would be the better choice, whereas those looking for a more substantial feel may lean towards the Crystal switch.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect to get similar results in terms of the travel distance when using both of these switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
The Outemu Crystal comes in at $3.40 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Crystal switch is best described as chirpy and high-pitched. This means that when pressed, these switches will produce a unique acoustic signature with a little squeak and a sharp, crisp sound. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red switch is known for a thocky and low-pitched sound profile. This results in a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when the key is pressed and released, with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, the Gold Red switches also have a neutral sound option available, which provides a moderate sound profile suitable for most purposes. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Crystal switch is described as having a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience. These switches offer a smooth and consistent feel, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red switch offers a more mild and approachable typing experience. It has a gentle resistance that is not too light but still maintains a light typing feel. The Gold Red switches also offer a silky feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Similar to the Crystal switch, the Gold Red switches also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
To summarize, the Outemu Crystal linear switch offers a unique, linear typing experience with a chirpy and high-pitched sound profile. It has a polished finish, providing a sleek and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switch offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. It has a snappy sound profile, adding a touch of personality to your keyboard without being ostentatious. The Gold Red switches have a thocky and low-pitched sound option, as well as a neutral sound option. They also offer a mild, silky, and subtle feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience. While both switches have their own unique qualities, they offer similar results in terms of feel and sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience one is looking for.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a unique, linear typing experience with a medium-light weight, the Outemu Crystal linear switch is a great choice. These switches offer a fairly elastic feel and have a bottom out force of 55 grams. Additionally, they have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is a good option. These switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams and provide a snappy sound profile without being too ostentatious. Whether you prefer the chirpy and high-pitched sound of the Crystal or the thocky and low-pitched sound of the Gold Red is a matter of personal preference. When it comes to feel, the Crystal offers a polished switch with reduced friction and smooth key travel, while the Gold Red provides a mild, silky, subtle, and polished typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on the typing experience and sound profile you desire.
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