TTC Gold Brown Pro vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the nuances of each option can greatly influence your typing and gaming experience. The TTC Gold Brown Pro stands out with its tactile feedback, tailored for those who appreciate a gentle tactile bump that enhances typing clarity without being overly distracting. This switch excels in providing a silky, low-pitched sound profile, making it an ideal choice for typists seeking an immersive and unobtrusive environment. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed with gamers in mind, featuring a remarkably low actuation force of just 1mm for lightning-quick key presses. Its bright, clacky sound and smooth push feel deliver an exhilarating experience, perfect for rapid-fire inputs during intense gaming sessions. Both switches cater to distinct priorities—subtlety and focus with the Gold Brown Pro versus speed and responsiveness with the Vintage Citrus. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
NPI
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
18mm spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the HMX Vintage Citrus, a distinct difference can be observed in their top housing compositions. The Gold Brown Pro features a polycarbonate top housing, which is typically associated with producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This quality arises from polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing sound to resonate more clearly and crisply. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus employs a nylon top housing, known for its ability to generate a fuller, deeper sound. The softer characteristics of nylon lead to greater sound absorption, resulting in a rounder and duller sound profile. Thus, while the Gold Brown Pro potentially delivers a more vibrant and pronounced auditory experience, the Vintage Citrus leans towards a warmer, richer sound.
Looking at their bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon, which aims to enhance the auditory experience with a deeper, fuller sound profile. The bottom housing in both models shares the same fundamental material, meaning that when the keys are bottomed out, users will experience a consistent, muted sound characteristic, thanks to nylon's inherent properties. Since the bottom housing significantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel, both the Gold Brown Pro and Vintage Citrus promise a similar tactile experience in this regard. This aspect of their design allows users to enjoy a satisfying and substantial bottom-out feel, irrespective of the differing top housing materials.
In summary, while the two switches differ in their top housing materials—polcarbonate for the Gold Brown Pro and nylon for the Vintage Citrus—their identical nylon bottom housings offer a common ground in sound quality and tactile feedback. Users may find the Gold Brown Pro's polycarbonate top provides a sharper release sound, while the Vintage Citrus's nylon top delivers a mellower key release experience. Despite the differences in the top housings, players will benefit from a consistent bottom-out experience that highlights the deeper sound profile imparted by the nylon material, ensuring that both switches can deliver satisfying auditory and tactile results.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, we observe notable differences in their actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Gold Brown Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it lighter than the HMX Vintage Citrus, which requires 48 grams to achieve actuation. This lighter actuation force on the Gold Brown Pro may be preferable for users who engage in long typing sessions or gaming, as it can reduce finger fatigue. However, the bottom out force for the Gold Brown Pro is unavailable, while the Vintage Citrus has a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This means that although both switches have similar intended uses, they cater to slightly different preferences: the Gold Brown Pro offers a lighter actuation feel, whereas the Vintage Citrus provides a more substantial push due to its heavier bottom out force, making it suitable for users who enjoy a firmer response when typing.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, a notable difference arises. The Gold Brown Pro features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Vintage Citrus measures a shorter 3.0 mm. This makes the Vintage Citrus the more shallow option, appealing to gamers and those seeking quicker response times. In contrast, the Gold Brown Pro offers a more substantial depth, which can provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a hearty feel. Ultimately, if one prioritizes responsiveness, the Vintage Citrus would be the preferred choice, whereas the Gold Brown Pro would satisfy those who enjoy a more traditional keypress.
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 Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 Gold Brown Pro tactile switch produces a notably subdued sound profile, characterized by a thocky, low-pitched resonance that lends itself to a deep, rich auditory experience, akin to a soft thud or knock upon actuation. This quiet demeanor ensures keystrokes are less distracting, making it suitable for environments where noise control is essential. The neutrality of the sound, combined with its more bass-heavy quality, creates a pleasant auditory backdrop for extended typing sessions, allowing users to engage with their tasks without disruptive noise. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch has an undefined sound profile, but it is designed specifically for gamers, which often suggests a brighter and more pronounced acoustic feedback. However, without clear descriptors, an accurate comparison of the sound is challenging.
In terms of feel, the Gold Brown Pro is crafted for a smooth and gentle typing experience. This switch features a polished and silky sensation that minimizes friction, making each key press feel effortless and refined. The mild and subtle tactile feedback provides users with a gentle resistance that is not overwhelming, allowing for an approachable experience that remains user-friendly even during long typing sessions. As a stepped tactile switch, it provides two distinct stages while typing, which contributes to an overall more nuanced engagement with the keyboard. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus switch does not have specified qualities regarding its feel, leaving a gap in comparing the tactile sensations offered by the two switches.
In conclusion, while the TTC Gold Brown Pro excels in offering a refined and subdued auditory and tactile experience tailored for typists and professionals, the HMX Vintage Citrus appears to cater to a more fast-paced gaming environment with an unknown auditory and tactile quality. The Gold Brown Pro's features suggest a typing experience that prioritizes smoothness and subtlety, while the Vintage Citrus may favor rapid response and reactiveness without specific feedback on its characteristics. Both switches present different experiences, but the Gold Brown Pro’s nuances in tactile feedback and sound provide a clear advantage for those who prefer a more ameliorated typing environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your primary use case and personal preferences. If you find yourself leaning more towards typing and seek a keyboard experience that balances subtlety with tactile feedback, the Gold Brown Pro will likely be your best bet. Its mild tactile bump and low sound profile create an environment perfect for focused work or quiet settings, allowing you to type with a degree of quiet confidence. On the other hand, if you're a gamer or someone who enjoys rapid key presses, the Vintage Citrus switch might be more suitable for you. With its low actuation force and satisfying clacky sound, it excels in fast-paced environments where quick responses are crucial. Your decision should also consider whether you prefer a smooth typing experience or a bit of tactile feedback to guide your keystrokes. Ultimately, evaluating these characteristics against your typical uses will help you make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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