KTT Darling vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling and Jwick Splash Brothers are two unique mechanical keyboard switches, each offering a distinct typing experience. The KTT Darling, a linear switch, is characterized by its chewy and substantial typing sensation, accompanied by a bouncy and springy responsiveness with a high-pitched, resonant sound. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers, also a linear switch, boasts a shorter activation and long pole stem, providing a great typing feel with a creamy sound signature. While the Darling is known for its clacky and high-pitched feedback, the Splash Brothers offer a more neutral and polished 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Darling and Jwick Splash Brothers switches share many similarities, as both feature polycarbonate top housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches designed for RGB lighting. However, while both switches have polycarbonate top housings, the differences lie in their bottom housings. The Darling utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Splash Brothers's nylon bottom housing, creating a duller and rounder sound.
The contrasting housing materials of the KTT Darling and Jwick Splash Brothers switches highlight the impact that different materials can have on sound profiles. While the polycarbonate top housings of both switches create a sharp, high-pitched sound, their nylon bottom housings diverge in their acoustic properties. The Darling's nylon bottom housing enhances the depth of the sound, whereas the Splash Brothers's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder sound profile. This demonstrates how the choice of housing material can significantly influence the overall typing experience and sound quality of a switch.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the KTT Darling and Jwick Splash Brothers switches gives users a nuanced typing experience. The split qualities of the top and bottom housings allow for distinct sound profiles when pressing down on a key versus releasing it. The bottom housing influences the impact of the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when a key is released. By understanding the unique properties of each housing material, keyboard enthusiasts can tailor their switch preferences to suit their typing style and desired sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Darling linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a key role in determining the typing experience. The KTT Darling has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the lighter actuation force of the Jwick Splash Brothers, which is unknown. However, the bottom out force of the KTT Darling is 53 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Jwick Splash Brothers, which has a bottom out force of 48 grams. The KTT Darling provides a medium-light feel, while the Jwick Splash Brothers offers a light typing experience. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches cater to different preferences, with the KTT Darling being more suitable for those who prefer a slightly heavier typing feel, while the Jwick Splash Brothers is better suited for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of use.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you can expect a similar tactile experience in terms of the distance the switch travels. This makes them both suitable options for individuals who prefer a consistent travel distance when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
The Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
In terms of sound, the KTT Darling linear switch is characterized by a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant profile, offering a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an engaging auditory experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. Depending on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the sound of the switch can vary.
Moving on to feel, the KTT Darling switch is noted for its bouncy sensation, offering a spring-like feedback that adds liveliness to each keystroke. In contrast, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch is described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished, providing a gentle typing experience with a responsive touch and smooth key travel. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
In conclusion, while the KTT Darling and Jwick Splash Brothers linear switches have distinct sound and feel characteristics, they both offer quality typing experiences tailored to different preferences. The Darling provides a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a pronounced bounciness and resonant sound, while the Splash Brothers offer a creamy sound signature with a mix of mild, snappy, and bouncy feel qualities. Depending on personal preferences and typing needs, users can expect a satisfying typing experience with either switch option.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a typing experience that is chewy and substantial with a bouncy and resonant sound profile, the KTT Darling linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a gentle typing experience with a creamy sound signature and a variety of characteristics standing in a safe middle ground zone, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile. Consider what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch and choose accordingly.
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