TTC Gold Brown vs. Outemu Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Brown and Outemu Red offer distinct typing experiences. The Gold Brown is praised for its balanced feel, offering a satisfying tactile bump and moderate weightiness. This switch boasts a rounded sound profile that is softer than many others. On the other hand, the Outemu Red is a linear switch that lacks any tactile feedback. While the Gold Brown is described as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', 'Accented', and 'Polished', the Red does not have any specific categorization. Each switch has its own unique characteristics and appeal, catering to different preferences. 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
55g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.10 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Red switches are quite similar in terms of their use of polycarbonate for the top housing. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of both switches ensures a consistent and high-quality sound experience.
Where the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Red switches differ is in their choice of bottom housing material. The Gold Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, as a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Red switch also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, ensuring that both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The qualities of the nylon bottom housing complement the characteristics of the polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a well-rounded switch design.
Overall, both the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Red switches offer a blend of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials to enhance their sound profiles. While the top housings made of polycarbonate create a sharp and resonant sound, the bottom housings made of nylon add depth and fullness to the typing experience. Whether you choose the Gold Brown or the Red switch, you can expect a balanced sound profile and satisfying tactile feedback. The complementary nature of the housing materials in each switch ensures a consistent and high-quality typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Outemu Red linear switch's 46 grams, making the Gold Brown slightly heavier to trigger keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Gold Brown requires 63 grams of force compared to the Red's 62 grams, making them relatively similar in terms of bottoming out pressure. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Outemu Red linear switch would be the better choice due to its lighter actuation force. On the other hand, those who prefer a slightly heavier key press may opt for the TTC Gold Brown switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, both switches fall under the medium weight category in terms of actuation and bottom out force, offering a balance between light and heavy key presses for different preferences.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that they will both provide a similar tactile feedback and typing experience, as the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom is the same for both. Whether you choose the Gold Brown or the Red switch, you can expect to get a consistent feel and response while typing. Overall, the travel distance of these switches is identical, offering users a familiar typing experience regardless of which switch they choose.
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 Outemu Red comes in at $3.10 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
When comparing the subjective qualities of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, they offer distinct experiences in sound and feel. The Gold Brown switch provides a balanced tactile feedback with a satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness, resulting in a softer and rounded sound profile. In terms of feel, the Gold Brown switch offers a mild and buttery typing experience with accented tactility and a polished finish for smooth and refined key travel. On the other hand, the Outemu Red switch lacks specific descriptions for sound and feel, but it is generally known for its linear and consistent keystrokes without tactile feedback. While the Gold Brown switch is preferred for users seeking a balanced and tactile typing experience with a softer sound profile, the Outemu Red switch is suitable for those who prefer linear switches with no tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you are looking for a balanced switch with a slight tactile bump and moderate weightiness, the Gold Brown might be the right choice for you. The Gold Brown offers a softer sound profile and a moderate typing experience suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and more uniform typing sensation without any tactile feedback, the Red linear switch could be more up your alley. Ultimately, consider your typing preferences and needs to determine which switch would best suit your mechanical keyboard setup.
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