TTC Flaming Purple vs. KTT Mannan Pipefish
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the KTT Mannan Pipefish switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the TTC Flaming Purple and the KTT Mannan Pipefish mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple is praised for its resonant and bassier sound signature, making each keystroke engaging and distinctive. With a light bottom-out force of 47g, typing on this switch is effortless and swift, appealing to enthusiasts and daily typists alike. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish switch boasts a smooth linear action and a light 45g actuation force, providing a comfortable and precise typing experience for casual typists. While the Flaming Purple leans towards a more lively and poppy sound, the Mannan Pipefish offers a polished and neutral 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
42g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Flaming Purple and Mannan Pipefish switches have some similarities and differences. Both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is useful for RGB lighting effects. However, when it comes to the nylon bottom housing, the Flaming Purple and Mannan Pipefish switches differ slightly. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound for switches that use nylon for their bottom housing.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Flaming Purple and Mannan Pipefish switches, they both offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The split between the top and bottom housings in a switch allows for a variation in sound and feel when typing. The bottom housing, in this case made of nylon, has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, creating a deeper and fuller typing experience. On the other hand, the top housing, constructed from polycarbonate, influences the sound when releasing a key, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile.
In conclusion, while the housing materials of the Flaming Purple and Mannan Pipefish switches may differ in their bottom housing material, they both offer distinct advantages in creating unique sound profiles. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a sharp and resonant sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing adds a deeper and fuller sound experience. These differences cater to different preferences and typing styles, allowing users to choose a switch that best suits their needs. Regardless of the differences in materials, both switches offer quality sound profiles that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 42 grams compared to the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch, which has an actuation force of 37 grams. Both switches have relatively light actuation forces which make them ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming. When it comes to bottom out force, the Flaming Purple requires 47 grams to fully press the key, while the Mannan Pipefish needs 45 grams. This difference in bottom out force is marginal, making the overall typing experience on both switches quite similar in terms of resistance. Ultimately, those who enjoy a slightly heavier feel may lean towards the Flaming Purple, while those who prefer an even lighter touch may opt for the Mannan Pipefish.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it slightly shorter than the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Mannan Pipefish offering a slightly deeper keystroke experience. Gamers may gravitate towards the Flaming Purple for its faster response times, while those who prefer a more deliberate keystroke may opt for the Mannan Pipefish. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
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 KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
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 TTC Flaming Purple linear switch offers a bassier and slightly resonant tone during key presses, providing an engaging auditory experience with a touch of poppy undertone. On the other hand, the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes without leaning towards any particular frequency range. The sound of both switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the TTC Flaming Purple switch is characterized by its feathery and easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal effort to activate keys and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It also offers a silky typing experience, enhancing overall smoothness during key presses. In contrast, the KTT Mannan Pipefish switch is also described as easy-to-press, providing gentle resistance and a light actuation force for a comfortable typing experience. Furthermore, it is noted to have a polished finish, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction for a refined typing feel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Flaming Purple and KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Flaming Purple switch leans towards a bassier and resonant sound profile with a feathery feel, the Mannan Pipefish switch provides a neutral sound and an easy-to-press, polished typing experience. Depending on personal preference and typing style, users can choose between the engaging auditory flair of the Flaming Purple or the comfortable and precise typing experience of the Mannan Pipefish. Ultimately, both switches aim to enhance the typing journey for enthusiasts and casual typists alike.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a slightly bassier sound profile with a touch of poppy undertones and a feathery, easy-to-press typing experience, the Flaming Purple may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you seek a neutral sound profile and a smooth, effortless typing experience with a polished finish, the Mannan Pipefish could be the perfect match for your keyboarding needs. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preference for sound, feel, and typing style. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences to enjoy a satisfying keyboarding experience.
Mentioned in this article
