TTC Flaming Purple vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Kiki Red, both linear switches with unique characteristics. The Flaming Purple stands out for its resonant and slightly bassy sound signature, offering a poppy undertone that adds an engaging touch to every keystroke. With a feathery actuation force of just 47g, it provides a swift and effortless typing experience, appealing to both enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the Kiki Red delivers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched and clacky nuance without being excessively loud. Featuring all-POM housings and smooth Ly stems, these switches offer a polished and silky feel during actuation, complemented by their medium-light weighting for a subtle tactile feedback. While each switch has its own unique qualities, diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you determine the best choice for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Kiki Red, it is evident that both switches incorporate unique materials in their construction. The Flaming Purple utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile with its relatively stiff plastic composition. In contrast, the Kiki Red features a POM top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound, offering a distinct auditory experience. Despite this difference, both switches aim to enhance the overall typing or gaming experience with their specialized housing materials.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Flaming Purple employs a nylon construction that is praised for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the Kiki Red also utilizes a POM bottom housing, similarly offering a deep and muted sound profile. While the specific characteristics of each material may vary slightly, both switches aim to provide a unique and pleasing typing experience by incorporating specialized bottom housing materials. This similarity in sound profiles showcases the importance of bottom housing materials in enhancing the overall tactile feedback of mechanical switches.
Overall, the differences in housing materials for the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Kiki Red result in distinct sound profiles and tactile feedback for each switch. The choice of polycarbonate and nylon for the Flaming Purple creates a crisp and resonant sound, while the POM materials in the Kiki Red offer a deeper and more muted auditory experience. Despite these discrepancies, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing or gaming experience through their specialized housing materials. Whether opting for the sharpness of polycarbonate or the deep tones of POM, users can expect a high-quality performance from these mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 42 grams, making them light and easy to type on. However, the Flaming Purple has a bottom out force of 47 grams, while the Kiki Red has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Flaming Purple switch is lighter overall compared to the Kiki Red switch, which may be preferable for users who prefer a more gentle typing experience. The Kiki Red, on the other hand, offers a slightly stronger push feel for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding typing force and weight.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distances, both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the distance the key travels from top to bottom. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect consistent feedback and actuation performance regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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 TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is characterized by a bassy and resonant sound profile, offering a touch of poppy undertone to each keystroke. In contrast, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is known for its high-pitched and clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory feedback. When it comes to feel, the Flaming Purple is described as feathery and easy-to-press, with a smooth and lightweight actuation that reduces finger fatigue during typing. On the other hand, the Kiki Red offers a creamy and polished typing experience, with a frictionless and silky sensation that enhances the overall smoothness and responsiveness of the switches.
Overall, the TTC Flaming Purple and Bsun Kiki Red linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Flaming Purple excels in providing a bassier and resonant sound with a feathery and easy-to-press feel, ideal for those looking for a light and swift typing experience. In contrast, the Kiki Red delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound along with a creamy and polished feel, perfect for users who appreciate a smooth and buttery typing sensation. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, providing enthusiasts with a variety of options to choose from based on their desired auditory feedback and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, the decision between choosing the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch ultimately comes down to your preferences for sound and feel. If you prefer a bassy and resonant sound with a feathery and easy-to-press feel, the Flaming Purple may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a clacky sound with a creamy and frictionless feel, the Kiki Red could be more suited to your taste. Consider your typing style and preferences in sound and feel when deciding between these two switches to ensure the best typing experience for yourself.
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