TTC Gold Brown Pro vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g stand out as excellent options catering to different preferences. The TTC Gold Brown Pro, a tactile switch, is ideal for typists seeking a gentle yet noticeable feedback with its subtle tactile bump, allowing for deep immersion in typing tasks while maintaining a low sound profile for a minimalist atmosphere. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, a linear switch, prioritizes a smooth and quiet keystroke experience, making it perfect for those who want to minimize distractions, especially in shared or quiet environments. While the Gold Brown Pro lends itself to a more nuanced tactile engagement, the Silent Sakura offers a serene typing experience with its balanced force and nearly silent operation. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that best fits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
NPI
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, notable differences arise, particularly in their top housings. The Gold Brown Pro features a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile during key release. This characteristic is attributed to polycarbonate’s stiffness, which enhances resonance and clarity in sound. Moreover, its translucent quality makes it ideal for RGB backlighting, allowing light to shine through effectively and creating an aesthetically pleasing visual effect for users who enjoy illuminated keyboards. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g is equipped with a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound and yields a duller, rounder auditory experience, offering a more muted typing feel that contrasts with the Gold Brown Pro’s vibrant output.
Examining the bottom housings of both switches reveals an interesting switch of materials. The Gold Brown Pro utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when typing, similar to the Silent Sakura - 53g's top housing. This synergy means that while the Gold Brown Pro's top housing provides clarity, the nylon bottom housing enriches the sound experience with depth. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 53g features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which reinforces the sharpness and resonance typical of this material. This results in an interesting dynamic where, while both switches have different top and bottom materials, they may complement each other effectively—offering users distinct experiences depending on their preference for sound profile and feel.
In terms of overall performance, the differences in the housing materials suggest that users will experience different key feel and auditory feedback upon pressing and releasing keys. The Gold Brown Pro emphasizes clarity and brightness in its sound profile, particularly on release, while the Silent Sakura - 53g focuses on absorbing sound to create a softer and fuller typing experience. However, those who enjoy the tactile feedback of both switches can still achieve similar results by finding a balance in their typing style. For example, users can adapt their pressing techniques or customize their keyboard setups to emphasize either depth or sharpness in their typing experience, making both switches versatile for diverse preferences.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, both possess the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they require an equal amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for the Gold Brown Pro switch remains unknown, while the Silent Sakura has a bottom out force of 53 grams, classifying it as medium-light. This means that while both switches may feel similar during typical typing, the Silent Sakura will offer a more pronounced resistance when fully bottomed out, potentially giving a sturdier typing experience suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In terms of weight preference, the TTC Gold Brown Pro could be considered the lighter switch overall, especially since its bottom out force is unspecified, whereas the Silent Sakura, being heavier due to its 53 grams bottom out force, might be better suited for users who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference means that the Gold Brown Pro provides a shorter keypress compared to the Silent Sakura, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times. In contrast, the longer travel of the Silent Sakura might be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper and more pronounced keypress. Ultimately, if you're leaning towards a more responsive experience, the shorter travel distance of the Gold Brown Pro would be the better choice, while the Silent Sakura offers a more substantial feel with its 4 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Brown Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown Pro for $2.90.
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g comes in at $3.50 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
The sound profile of the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch is characterized by a thocky and low-pitched resonance, delivering a deep, rich sound with each keystroke that creates an immersive typing environment. This low-key auditory feedback makes it suitable for both quiet office settings and home use, ensuring that typing remains discreet without compromising the satisfaction of audible feedback. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch emphasizes a whisper-quiet operation, engineered to produce minimal sound reminiscent of gentle raindrops. While the Gold Brown Pro gives a modest auditory presence, the Silent Sakura's design prioritizes silence, catering to those who may find the noise of the Gold Brown Pro distracting.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Brown Pro provides a smooth, polished typing experience with its subtle tactile bump. This mild tactility allows typists to enjoy a gentle resistance without overwhelming feedback, making it approachable for users of varying skill levels. Additionally, the design features silky movement, which reduces friction for fluid keystrokes. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch is known for its light and smooth feel, engineered for fluid key travel without tactile bumps. Although both switches provide a refined typing experience, the Gold Brown Pro nuances the sensation with its mild tactile feedback, while the Silent Sakura focuses purely on the linear smoothness.
In conclusion, while both the TTC Gold Brown Pro and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches cater to specific preferences in typing experience, they each offer distinct qualities in sound and feel. The Gold Brown Pro stands out with its tactile feedback and rich, subdued sound, making it ideal for typists who appreciate nuanced interactions. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura is the choice for those desiring a completely silent typing experience with smooth actuation. Ultimately, both switches cater to different typing preferences, ensuring that users can find a suitable mechanical switch that aligns with their desired auditory and tactile experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you favor a typing experience that provides gentle tactile feedback without being overwhelming, the Gold Brown Pro is an excellent choice. Its polished and silky feel, combined with a subdued sound profile, makes it ideal for those who want to remain focused on their work in a shared or quiet space. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch that offers a smooth, whisper-quiet keystroke experience with a satisfying medium-light actuation force, then the Silent Sakura - 53g would be more suitable. This switch is perfect for typists who enjoy an uninterrupted flow of typing without the audible distractions that can come from tactile bumps. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize subtle tactile feedback or a completely silent, smooth action, thus aligning your switch choice with your personal typing style and the environments in which you'll be using your keyboard.
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