KTT Darling vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the KTT Darling and the SP-Star Yanyu mechanical keyboard switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. The KTT Darling, a linear switch, offers a typing experience that is both chewy and substantial, with a pronounced bounciness that adds a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. Its high-pitched and resonant sound upon bottoming out provides a unique blend of tactile and auditory feedback, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switches are favored by those looking for a more delicate typing experience, especially during long typing sessions. With a material blend that produces a crisp sound profile, the Yanyu switch is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. 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
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The KTT Darling's housing materials focus on utilizing polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. Polycarbonate provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, nylon offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound to create a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu features a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a pleasant, brighter sound profile that is not particularly sharp.
Both the Darling and the Yanyu showcase the importance of housing materials in affecting the sound profile of a switch. While the Darling splits the qualities of stiffer polycarbonate and softer nylon between the top and bottom housing, the Yanyu utilizes a unique blend that influences both the sharpness and brightness of the sound. Additionally, the impact of the housing materials on the sound when pressing down and releasing a key is evident, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when letting go of a key.
In conclusion, the choice of housing materials significantly impacts the sound profile of mechanical switches. The differing qualities of polycarbonate and nylon in the Darling versus the polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend in the Yanyu showcase how unique blends can create distinct sound profiles. Understanding how the top and bottom housing materials influence the sound when pressing down and releasing a key provides valuable insight into the overall experience of typing on a mechanical keyboard. Ultimately, the right combination of housing materials can enhance the auditory and tactile experience for users, making the choice between the KTT Darling and the SP-Star Yanyu a matter of personal preference based on sound profile preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Darling linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it is evident that the Darling is lighter in terms of actuation force at 45 grams compared to the Yanyu, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Yanyu is lighter in terms of bottom out force at 43 grams while the Darling has a bottom out force of 53 grams. The Darling provides a medium-light typing experience, whereas the Yanyu offers a lighter touch. Both switches have their advantages depending on individual preference. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience might lean towards the Yanyu, while others who enjoy a slightly more substantial feel may opt for the Darling. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one values a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or a stronger push for a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, which is shorter than the 4mm travel distance of the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch. The Darling offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for fast feedback. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch provides a bit more depth in keypress, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and keypress 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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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
In terms of sound, the KTT Darling linear switch stands out for its clacky, high-pitched, and resonant qualities. The sharp, crisp sound produced by the Darling switch adds to the tactile typing experience, giving users an engaging auditory feedback. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch is known for its neutral and thocky sound profile, providing a more moderate and deep sound when pressed. Depending on personal preference and the setup of your keyboard, the sound produced by these switches can vary in terms of pitch and resonance.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Darling linear switch is described as bouncy, offering a springy and elastic feedback sensation with each keystroke. This lively feel can enhance the typing experience by providing a responsive rebound when pressed. In contrast, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offers a range of qualities including mild, feathery, subtle, and polished. These characteristics contribute to a gentle and comfortable typing experience, making it suitable for various typing needs such as gaming, schoolwork, or professional tasks.
Overall, the KTT Darling linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Darling switch excels in delivering a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a pronounced bounciness and high-pitched sound, the Yanyu switch offers a delicate typing experience with a crisp and neutral sound profile. Depending on your preference for tactile feedback and auditory response, you can choose between these switches to enhance your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience based on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Darling linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a typing sensation that is chewy, substantial, and bouncy, with a pronounced high-pitched sound profile, the KTT Darling may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more delicate typing experience with a crisp sound profile and lighter actuation force, the SP-Star Yanyu switch would be a great option, especially for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force. Whether you choose the Darling for its bouncy feel and resonant sound, or the Yanyu for its feathery touch and thocky sound, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. Choose the one that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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