TTC Gold Brown vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the TTC Gold Brown and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade), both of which are tactile switches. The Gold Browns are known for their balanced nature, offering a slight but satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness. They provide a softer sound profile compared to most switches, without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Moyu Blacks offer a sharp tactile feel that sets them apart. With a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, they provide a rare and premium typing experience. These switches have a strong downstroke tactile bump, but what truly distinguishes them is an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. While the Gold Browns have a more neutral and mild feel, the Moyu Blacks lean towards a more accentuated and resonant typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) differ in terms of their construction. The Gold Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) boasts a PBT top housing, which offers a more neutral sound profile. While not as crisp as polycarbonate, it avoids being dull and maintains a balanced acoustic quality.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Gold Brown utilizes a nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer plastic absorbing more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder acoustic profile. Meanwhile, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This material, which is relatively uncommon in switch housings, also provides a neutral sound profile. Neither crisp nor dull, the PBT material contributes to a well-balanced auditory experience.
It is important to note that the bottom and top housings can have different materials for a switch. This division means that the qualities brought by each housing material will be split between the bottom and top of the switch. When pressing down on a switch, you will primarily feel the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will impact the sound when releasing a key. If the Gold Brown and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) have the same housing materials, such as polycarbonate or PBT for both the top and bottom, you can expect similar results in terms of sound profile and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Gold Brown requires 55 grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) requires slightly less at 50 grams. Both switches fall into the medium force category, providing a balanced typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Gold Brown requires 63 grams to fully press down the key, whereas the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) requires a slightly heavier force of 67 grams. This makes the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Moyu Black (Dark Jade), as its actuation force is lower. This lighter feel allows for extended typing sessions, which is ideal for work or longer gaming periods. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Gold Brown, as its bottom out force is slightly heavier. This provides a stronger push feel and a more substantial keystroke.
In summary, while the Gold Brown and Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches share a similar actuation force in the medium range, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) requires a lighter force for actuation and is slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for a lighter or more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch are both 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, they both offer a consistent typing experience in terms of tactile feedback and the physical sensation of pressing a key. Whether it's the shorter or longer distance, both switches will provide similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown for $3.28.
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
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 Gold Brown switch is best described as neutral. This means that it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you are using the switch at home or work. The Gold Brown switch has a rounded sound profile that is generally softer than most switches, providing a satisfying typing experience without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is described as resonant. Typing on the Moyu Black switch will give you a higher-pitched sound profile, creating an immersive auditory experience. The sound is clean and sharp, and it is enhanced by the switch's unique blend of materials. However, it is important to note that the sound profile of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Brown switch offers a mild and buttery typing experience. The switch has a more gentle tactile feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It provides a seamless and effortless keypress sensation, thanks to its smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The Gold Brown switch also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black switch is also described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It has a sharp tactile bump that offers high feedback intensity and is felt distinctly with each keypress. This creates an impactful typing experience, enhanced by the switch's medium-heavy feel and abrupt bottom-out.
Overall, the TTC Gold Brown and Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Brown switch provides a balanced and approachable typing experience with its mild, buttery, and polished qualities. It has a moderate sound profile that is softer than most switches. On the other hand, the Moyu Black switch offers a sharp and impactful typing experience with its accented and sharp tactile qualities. It has a resonant sound profile that is clean and sharp. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their preferences for sound and feel. However, if you are looking for similar results, the Gold Brown switch can provide a balanced and satisfying typing experience, while the Moyu Black switch can offer a sharper tactile feel and a resonant sound profile.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you're looking for a balanced and moderate tactile switch, the TTC Gold Brown would be a suitable choice for you. These switches provide a slight but satisfying bump, with a moderate weightiness to them. The sound profile is generally softer than most switches without being completely silent, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings.
On the other hand, if you prefer a sharper and stronger tactile feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) would be the better option. These switches feature a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, adding to the premium typing experience. The Moyu Blacks have a strong downstroke tactile bump, but what sets them apart is an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. The typing experience is distinctive and impactful, with a sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound.
In terms of sound, the Gold Brown offers a neutral profile, suitable for most intents and purposes. It has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it versatile for home or work use. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a resonant sound profile, offering a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience with a clean and sharp sound.
In terms of feel, the Gold Brown offers a mild and buttery typing experience. It falls in a safe middle-ground zone with its qualities, providing a gentle and smooth keystroke sensation. Additionally, the Gold Brown has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers an accented and sharp tactile experience. The tactile bump is strong and crisp, providing high feedback intensity and a distinct feel with each keypress.
Ultimately, when choosing between the TTC Gold Brown and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade), consider your preference for the level of tactile feedback and the sound profile. If you prefer a balanced, moderate tactile experience with a softer sound, go for the Gold Brown. If you're seeking a sharper and more distinctive tactile experience with a higher-pitched sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) would be the better option.