TTC Gold Brown vs. KTT Phalaenopsis
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Phalaenopsis are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features for a satisfying typing experience. The Gold Brown is best known for its balanced feel, providing a slight, satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness. It also offers a softer sound profile compared to most switches, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis stands out with its beautiful translucent design and a light actuation force of 37g, reducing finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. The 50g tactile force ensures each keystroke has a discernible bump, resulting in a delightful typing experience. Both switches offer their own advantages, and now let's delve deeper into their characteristics so you can choose the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Phalaenopsis both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice leads to a shared result of a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In terms of aesthetics, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making it ideal for RGB lighting. However, while they may provide similar outcomes, the Gold Brown's polycarbonate top housing is specifically mentioned for its stiffness, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Meanwhile, the Phalaenopsis does not mention the stiffness of its polycarbonate top housing, suggesting that it may have a slightly different sound character.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Gold Brown employs nylon as its material of choice, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softer nature, allowing it to absorb more sound and create a rounder, duller sound. In contrast, the Phalaenopsis opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing, which again emphasizes the sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile associated with this material. Here, the use of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound.
When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more evident in the bottom-out sound and feel experienced by the user. In this aspect, the Gold Brown's nylon bottom housing may provide a slightly different tactile experience compared to the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate bottom housing. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced. Therefore, the choice of polycarbonate for both switches' top housings suggests that they might offer similar outcomes in terms of sound when letting go of a key.
In conclusion, while both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, the Gold Brown stands out for its emphasis on stiffness, resulting in a clearer and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate bottom housing and the Gold Brown's nylon bottom housing bring distinct sound profiles to their respective switches, with nylon providing a deeper and fuller sound while polycarbonate contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the impact of the housing materials on the sound when pressing down or releasing a key should be considered. Overall, these differences in housing materials contribute to nuanced variations in sound and typing experience between the TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Gold Brown requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams, compared to the Phalaenopsis which has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams. This means that the Gold Brown switch will require a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Gold Brown also has a heavier force of 63 grams, while the Phalaenopsis has a lighter force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Gold Brown switch will provide a more substantial typing experience, requiring a bit more force to fully press down. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis switch offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch or need to type for longer periods of time without straining their fingers. While the forces differ, both switches provide a medium to light resistance level, allowing users to achieve similar results in terms of overall typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results.
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 KTT Phalaenopsis has an MSRP of $4.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Phalaenopsis for $4.15.
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 tactile switch offers a balanced and rounded sound profile. It is generally softer than most switches without being completely silent, providing a satisfying and moderate sound during key presses. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is described as bassy and thocky. The sound of these switches has a lower frequency range, offering a deeper and richer sound profile resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Phalaenopsis switch provides a more distinct and pronounced sound when pressed and released. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch is known for its mild and buttery qualities. It offers a gentle typing experience with a smooth and fluid keystroke. The switch provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. Additionally, the Gold Brown switch is described as accented and polished, meaning it has a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming or subtle and provides a polished, refined finish. This results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is described as stepped. This means that the switch has two stages of tactile feedback, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The Phalaenopsis switch offers a mild tactile experience compared to switches with a more pronounced bump.
Taking into consideration all the available information, the TTC Gold Brown and KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switches have different subjective qualities. The Gold Brown switch offers a balanced sound profile and a mild, buttery feel, providing a satisfying and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis switch has a bassy and thocky sound profile, delivering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. Additionally, it offers a stepped feel with mild tactile feedback. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience based on individual preferences. If you are looking for a similar typing experience to the Gold Brown switch, the Phalaenopsis switch may provide a comparable level of satisfaction with its distinct sound and stepped tactile feedback.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switches, you should consider your preferences for key weight and typing experience. If you prefer a switch with a moderate bottom out force, the Gold Brown with its 63 gram weight is a suitable choice. It provides a balanced and satisfying bump with a moderate weightiness. The rounded sound profile adds to the overall pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch, the Phalaenopsis with its 50 gram weight is ideal. It offers effortless typing and minimizes finger fatigue, making it great for prolonged typing sessions. The discernible tactile bump ensures each keystroke is a delightful experience.
Considering sound, the Gold Brown is neutral, meaning it has a moderate sound profile suitable for most purposes. In comparison, the Phalaenopsis offers a bassy and thocky sound profile, characterized by deeper and richer tones during key presses.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Brown provides a mild and approachable typing experience. The buttery and accented qualities contribute to a smooth and refined typing sensation. With its polished finish, expect reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis has a stepped feel, offering a milder experience with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Gold Brown and KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switches depends on your individual preferences for key weight, typing experience, sound profile, and feel. Consider your desired level of bottom out force, typing effort, and sound characteristics to make the best decision.
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