TTC Flame Red vs. TTC Gold Brown
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the TTC Gold Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the TTC Flame Red and the TTC Gold Brown. The Flame Red is a linear switch that is best known for its dazzling light diffuser, making it the perfect choice for those who love backlit, RGB keyboards. Typing on these switches provides a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Gold Brown is a tactile switch that offers a balanced experience. It features a slight, satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness. The sound profile of these switches is rounded and softer compared to most switches, without being completely silent. Both switches fall under the categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', but the Gold Brown also includes descriptors like 'Buttery' and 'Accented'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
54g
Bottom-out force
63g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Flame Red and the TTC Gold Brown switches differ, with the Flame Red featuring a nylon top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Gold Brown has a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The nylon top housing of the Flame Red contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Gold Brown produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, as polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a more clear and resonant sound. Although both switches have nylon bottom housings, they still elicit a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon's sound-absorbing properties.
It is important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on either the Flame Red or Gold Brown switch, the user will primarily feel the impact and sound produced by the bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing in both switches provides a duller and rounder sound, thanks to the softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key. The nylon top housing of the Flame Red creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Gold Brown produces a sharper and crisper sound. Therefore, the experience of typing and the resulting sound profile may differ depending on the housing material used in the top and bottom of the switch.
While the housing materials of the Flame Red and the Gold Brown switches vary, their nylon bottom housing brings about similar results. The use of nylon as a classic switch housing material in both switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer plastic nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, both switches create a duller and rounder sound, enhancing the typing experience. However, it is the differences in their top housings, namely the nylon and polycarbonate, that contribute to distinct sound profiles. The Flame Red's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, while the Gold Brown's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, especially when combined with RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch, there are clear differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Flame Red has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke, while the Gold Brown requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Flame Red has a lighter force of 54 grams, whereas the Gold Brown exerts a slightly heavier force of 63 grams. This means that the Flame Red offers a lighter and smoother typing experience overall, while the Gold Brown provides a slightly more substantial and tactile feel. Both switches fall within the medium range, but the Flame Red is generally lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces. Therefore, if you prefer a lighter and smoother typing experience, the Flame Red would be the ideal choice, whereas if you prefer a slightly heavier and more tactile feel, the Gold Brown would be more suitable.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel from the top to the bottom. The travel distance plays a crucial role in the typing experience, as it determines the amount of key travel you feel with each press. With both switches offering the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and typing feel, regardless of whether they choose the Flame Red or Gold Brown switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
The TTC Gold Brown 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 Brown for $3.28.
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
The Flame Red switch is best known for its visually appealing light diffuser, making it the ideal choice for backlit, RGB keyboards. When typing on these switches, users can expect a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Gold Brown switch is known for its balanced characteristics. It offers a slight but satisfying bump, along with a moderate weightiness. The sound profile of the Gold Brown is generally softer than most switches, without being completely silent.
When it comes to sound, both the Flame Red and Gold Brown switches are described as neutral. This means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. These characteristics make them suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or at work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, both the Flame Red and Gold Brown switches offer a mild typing experience. This means that they provide a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The sound and feel of these switches are approachable to most users, as they stand in a safe, middle-ground zone. Additionally, both switches are described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This can be attributed to the materials used and/or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
In conclusion, while the Flame Red and Gold Brown switches have their own unique qualities, they share similarities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes. They also provide a mild typing experience and are described as polished, ensuring a smooth and refined tactile sensation. Whether you choose to go with the Flame Red or Gold Brown switches, you can expect comparable results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a visually appealing switch for a backlit or RGB keyboard, the TTC Flame Red linear switch is the way to go. With its dazzling light diffuser, it will enhance the overall aesthetics of your keyboard. In terms of feel, the Flame Red offers a mild and polished typing experience, with a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile. However, if you prefer a more balanced switch, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch is the better choice. It provides a slight and satisfying bump, along with a moderate weightiness. The sound profile is generally softer than most switches without being completely silent. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. Considering their feel, the Flame Red offers a mild and polished experience, while the Gold Brown offers a mild, buttery, and accented experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for visuals, feel, and sound.
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