TTC Gold Brown vs. HC Studio Roselle
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the HC Studio Roselle switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Brown and HC Studio Roselle offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Gold Brown is praised for its balanced nature, providing a slight bump and moderate weightiness for a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, it produces a softer sound profile compared to many other switches. On the other hand, the Roselle stands out for its exceptional smoothness and ethereal feel, with a low-pitched sound signature that adds to the typing experience. While the Gold Brown leans towards a more tactile feel, the Roselle offers a linear sensation. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20.5mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Brown and the HC Studio Roselle both offer unique characteristics in their housing materials. The Gold Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for those who prefer a more high-pitched sound. On the other hand, the Roselle features a POM top housing, known for its deeper and more muted sound profile. While they both offer distinct sound profiles, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for sound.
In terms of bottom housing material, both switches offer contrasting options. The Gold Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties. Conversely, the Roselle features a POM bottom housing, offering a similar deep and muted sound profile. Despite the difference in materials, both switches aim to provide a distinct typing experience with their unique sound profiles.
When considering how the top and bottom housing materials impact the overall sound of the switch, it's clear that each material brings its own qualities to the table. The bottom housing material will affect the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material will impact the sound when releasing a key. While the Gold Brown and Roselle offer different housing materials, they ultimately strive to provide a satisfying typing experience with their respective sound profiles.
Weight
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the HC Studio Roselle linear switch's 45 grams, making the Gold Brown require more force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Gold Brown's 63 grams is heavier than the Roselle's 52 grams, requiring more force to fully press down the key. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range in terms of actuation and bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the Roselle may be the better option, while those looking for a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the heavier Gold Brown switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HC Studio Roselle linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Gold Brown offers a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Roselle, providing a bit more depth when pressing down on the key. This may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Roselle's shorter travel distance may be favored by individuals looking for quicker response times, such as gamers needing fast input recognition. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances and will offer a tactile experience, but the Gold Brown offers a slightly longer distance than the Roselle. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
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 HC Studio Roselle has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Roselle for $4.70.
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 known for its neutral sound profile, providing a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the HC Studio Roselle switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound signature during key presses, delivering a deeper and richer sound experience. Depending on your preference, the Gold Browns offer a softer and rounded sound, while the Roselles provide a more distinct and bass-heavy tone.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Brown tactile switch offers a mild and buttery typing experience with a balanced weightiness and a satisfying bump. The Roselle linear switch, on the other hand, provides a frictionless and impossibly smooth typing sensation, characterized by its ethereal wispy feel. Both switches fall within the mild typing experience category, ensuring a comfortable and approachable feel for most users.
Overall, the Gold Brown switch excels in providing a balanced and neutral sound with a mild and buttery typing feel, making it a versatile option for a wide range of users. On the other hand, the Roselle switch stands out with its distinct bassy sound profile and frictionless feel, offering a unique typing experience for those seeking a smoother key press. Depending on your sound and feel preferences, both switches offer quality performance and can deliver satisfying results in your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, it is important to consider your preferences in terms of typing experience. If you are looking for a balanced switch with a moderate weightiness and a slight bump, the Gold Browns would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer an impossibly smooth and ethereally wispy typing sensation with a subtle, low-pitched sound profile, the Roselle linear switches would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you value the tactile feedback and balanced feel of the Gold Browns or the smoothness and unique sound profile of the Roselles. Considering your typing preferences will help you make the right choice between these two switches.