KTT Darling vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling and Dareu Violet Gold Pro are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Darling, a linear switch, is praised for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, combined with a pronounced bounciness that adds a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro, a tactile switch, offers a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it a balanced option for those looking for an engaging yet subtle typing experience. While the Darling is known for its bouncy and clacky feel, the Violet Gold Pro stands out for its stepped and neutral characteristics. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The first difference between the KTT Darling and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is their top housing material. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound and aesthetics, both switches offer similar results with their polycarbonate top housing.
In contrast, the second difference lies in the bottom housing material of the KTT Darling and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro. The Darling features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro also has a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite their differences in top housing materials, both switches offer a consistent typing experience with their nylon bottom housing.
Overall, while the top housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro are the same, their bottom housing materials differ. The top housing impacts the sound when a key is released, while the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. Both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound profile and typing experience, with the polycarbonate top housing providing a clear and resonant sound, and the nylon bottom housing offering a deeper and fuller sound profile. Ultimately, both switches excel in delivering a satisfying typing experience through the combination of their top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Darling has a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Violet Gold Pro's bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Darling switch is slightly heavier than the Violet Gold Pro in terms of bottom out force. The actuation force of both switches being the same ensures that users will get a similar typing experience in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. The difference in bottom out force offers users the option to choose between a lighter or heavier typing experience based on their preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to whether a user prefers a slightly heavier bottom out force for a more substantial typing feel or a lighter bottom out force for longer typing sessions.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Darling. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for their quicker response times. However, some users may find the Darling's 3.5 mm travel distance to be more abrupt, while others may prefer the slightly deeper feel of the Violet Gold Pro's 3.8 mm travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key feel.
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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 offers a clacky and high-pitched tone that resonates upon bottoming out, delivering a crisp and engaging auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch provides a neutral sound signature, making it a versatile option suitable for various environments and preferences. Ultimately, if you prefer a more vibrant and pronounced sound experience, the Darling would be the choice, while the Violet Gold Pro appeals to those seeking a more subtle and balanced sound profile.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Darling switch is praised for its bouncy nature, offering a lively and elastic feedback sensation that adds a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is described as stepped, providing a tactile feel that has two stages, giving users some pre-travel and post-travel feedback. If you enjoy a more dynamic and energetic typing experience, the Darling would be a great fit, while the Violet Gold Pro would be preferred by those who appreciate a more controlled and nuanced tactile sensation.
Considering all the available information, the KTT Darling linear switch stands out for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, combined with a bouncy and springy feel that complements the resonant high-pitched sound it produces. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a medium tactility with a light touch, ideal for those seeking a balanced and neutral typing experience. While both switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel, they both offer high-quality performance that ensures a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize a more tactile and auditory typing experience (Darling) or a more versatile and balanced feel (Violet Gold Pro).
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, you should consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a bouncy and springy responsiveness, along with a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, the KTT Darling may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactility with a fairly light touch and a neutral sound signature, offering a balanced typing experience, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
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