TTC Gold Brown Pro vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch presents a distinct contrast in user experience. The Gold Brown Pro offers a quiet and understated typing experience with its gentle tactile bump and subdued sound profile, making it ideal for those who value a subtle tactile feedback. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro is tailored for gamers, featuring a smooth keystroke feel, pleasing bassy sound, and a light actuation force that is crucial for fast-paced gaming scenarios. While these general characteristics provide a brief overview of the switches, diving deeper into their specific attributes will help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
Both the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Akko V3 Silver Pro feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. This material is especially beneficial for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as polycarbonate's translucency allows light to shine through. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of switches results in a more resonant sound, enhancing the overall typing experience for users.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Gold Brown Pro and the V3 Silver Pro utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer compared to other plastics, which helps absorb sound and reduces the sharpness of the typing experience, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, contributing to the overall typing experience by impacting the keypress feedback.
While both switches share similar housing materials, the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Akko V3 Silver Pro offer subtle differences in sound and feel due to the distribution of polycarbonate in the top housing and nylon in the bottom housing. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings provide a unique typing experience for each switch, with the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Despite these differences, the overall use of polycarbonate and nylon in the housing materials results in a quality typing experience for both switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it's clear that the Gold Brown Pro has a higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the V3 Silver Pro's 40 grams. However, the Gold Brown Pro's bottom out force is unknown, while the V3 Silver Pro has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is relatively light. This means that while the Gold Brown Pro requires more force to trigger a keystroke, the V3 Silver Pro offers a lighter typing experience when fully pressed. Both switches have their advantages, with the Gold Brown Pro providing a more substantial typing feel and the V3 Silver Pro allowing for longer typing periods without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it is clear that the Gold Brown Pro has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the V3 Silver Pro's 3.3 mm. The Gold Brown Pro offers a more substantial keypress feel with its longer travel distance, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy a deeper keypress experience. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro provides a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers and individuals seeking a faster response time. Both switches offer unique benefits based on their travel distances, with the Gold Brown Pro catering to those who enjoy a more deliberate keypress and the V3 Silver Pro catering to those who prefer a quicker and more responsive feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and keypress experience.
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 Akko V3 Silver Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Silver Pro for $3.10.
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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Gold Brown Pro offers a thocky and low-pitched typing experience, creating a deep and satisfying sound with each keystroke. This switch maintains a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments and preferences. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro provides a high-pitched sound when pressed, offering a sharp and crisp auditory feedback that may appeal to gamers specifically looking for this type of acoustics. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Gold Brown Pro emphasizing a subtle and subdued sound while the V3 Silver Pro delivers a more noticeable and lively audio response.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Brown Pro switch is described as polished, silky, mild, subtle, and stepped, offering a refined, smooth, and gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. The V3 Silver Pro switch, on the other hand, is characterized as easy-to-press, creamy, feathery, polished, and silky, providing an effortless, buttery, and light typing feel that reduces finger fatigue and enhances overall comfort during extended typing sessions. While the Gold Brown Pro emphasizes a subtle and nuanced tactile feedback, the V3 Silver Pro focuses on a responsive and low-impact typing experience, particularly beneficial for gamers seeking quick response times and comfortable key presses.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Brown Pro and Akko V3 Silver Pro offer distinct subjective qualities that cater to different preferences and use cases. The Gold Brown Pro excels in providing a subtle and refined tactile experience with a subdued sound profile, ideal for those who value a quiet and immersive typing environment. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro stands out for its light actuation force, shortened travel distance, and pleasingly bassy sound, making it a top choice for gamers looking for swift and responsive key presses. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience based on individual preferences and requirements, ensuring that newcomers can achieve satisfying results with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering which switch to choose between the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference and intended use. If you value a subtle tactile experience with a subdued sound profile, the Gold Brown Pro may be the ideal choice for you. This switch allows you to immerse yourself in your tasks without being distracted by loud keystrokes. On the other hand, if you are a gamer looking for a switch with light actuation force and shortened travel distance for quick and effortless keystrokes, the V3 Silver Pro may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and requirements.
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