TTC Flaming Purple vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Purple and the Cherry MX Brown present two distinct options for users seeking a different typing experience. The Flaming Purple is a linear switch that stands out for its resonant character, boasting a slightly bassier sound profile and a feathery touch with a light bottom-out force of just 47g. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown is a tactile switch known for its subtlety, providing gentle tactile feedback and subdued audio input for a more textured typing experience. While the Flaming Purple offers easy-to-press keys and a low-pitched sound, the MX Brown excels in its nuanced tactility. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the TTC Flaming Purple switch creates a sharper and crisper sound profile compared to the MX Brown's nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate results in a more resonant sound, while the softer nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting, a feature not mentioned for the MX Brown switch. Both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, meaning that they will both produce a similar deep and full sound profile when typing.
In terms of sound profile, pressing down on the Flaming Purple switch will emphasize the qualities of the nylon bottom housing, creating a deeper sound profile when bottoming out. Conversely, releasing a key will highlight the characteristics of the polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper sound when the key is let go. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch will offer a consistent deep and full sound profile regardless of whether a key is pressed down or released, as both the top and bottom housing use nylon. This demonstrates how the choice of housing material can impact the overall sound experience of a mechanical keyboard switch.
It is interesting to note how the choice of housing material can significantly affect the sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch. While the TTC Flaming Purple utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, the Cherry MX Brown uses nylon for both top and bottom. This results in the Flaming Purple switch offering a sharper and crisper sound profile when pressing down a key, while the MX Brown switch produces a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in a switch plays a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Flaming Purple requires 47 grams, while the MX Brown needs 55 grams, making the MX Brown the heavier option for bottoming out. Both switches provide a relatively light typing experience in terms of actuation force, making them suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the MX Brown offers a slightly more substantial feel due to its heavier bottom out force, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a bit more resistance while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for typing experience and force requirement.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Cherry MX Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Flaming Purple. The Cherry MX Brown falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, while the Flaming Purple offers a slightly shorter distance. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Flaming Purple a favorable choice for gaming keyboards. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Cherry MX Brown for its longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique typing experience, with the Flaming Purple providing a shorter travel distance and the Cherry MX Brown offering a slightly longer one.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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, both the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch are described as having a bassy and low-pitched sound profile. However, the Flaming Purple is noted for its slightly bassier undertones, adding a poppy flair to each keystroke, while the MX Brown offers a more subdued and gentle audio feedback. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is known for its feathery and easy-to-press nature, with a bottom-out force of just 47g, providing a swift and effortless typing experience. The MX Brown, on the other hand, is described as having a textured feel, implying a noticeable friction during key presses which may be preferred by some users. The Flaming Purple offers a silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance and enhancing typing comfort, while the MX Brown provides a more tactile feedback with its slight bump.
Considering all the available information, both the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you prefer a switch with a bassier sound profile and a light, feathery feel, the Flaming Purple may be the way to go. However, if you prefer a switch with a subtle tactile feedback and textured feel, the MX Brown might be more up your alley. In the end, both switches provide satisfactory typing experiences, allowing users to enjoy their mechanical keyboards with varying sounds and feels.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch that offers a light and feathery typing experience with a touch of a poppy undertone in its sound profile, then the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is the way to go. It provides swift and effortless typing with its 47g bottom out force, making it suitable for enthusiasts and daily typists alike. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a better choice. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 55g, the MX Browns offer a light typing experience with a touch of texture. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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