TTC Gold Brown vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon

Overview

If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon. The Gold Brown switch is known for its balanced qualities, providing users with a slight satisfying bump while still maintaining a moderate weightiness. Additionally, these switches have a rounded sound profile that is softer than most, making typing a more pleasant experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch represents the best of linear switches, offering a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. While the Gold Brown is more tactile, the Sea Salt Lemon is linear. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

TTC Gold Brown Tactile

KTT Sea Salt Lemon Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

$2.80 per 10

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Housing materials

The TTC Gold Brown and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon share similar housing materials, with both switches featuring a polycarbonate top housing. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate. Aesthetically, the clear housing allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it visually appealing for those who appreciate customizable lighting effects. Therefore, both switches offer similar sound and lighting features due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.

However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Gold Brown utilizes nylon, while the Sea Salt Lemon also opts for nylon. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. Its softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. As a result, both the Gold Brown and the Sea Salt Lemon offer a similar typing experience, with the nylon bottom housing contributing to the switches' overall sound profile.

When comparing the two switches, it's important to note that the top and bottom housings play different roles in the overall sound and feel of a switch. While the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, although the housing materials may differ for the top and bottom in these switches, the overall typing experience may still yield similar results due to the specific roles each housing material plays in the switch's functionality.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Gold Brown requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 45 grams, making the Sea Salt Lemon lighter in this regard. Similarly, in terms of bottom out force, the Gold Brown has a higher force of 63 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 53 grams. Again, this indicates that the Gold Brown is heavier when it comes to bottoming out.

Considering weight, some users may prefer the lighter options as it allows them to type for longer durations, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. However, others may opt for a stronger push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience. In this case, they may lean towards switches with heavier forces.

Although the actuation and bottom out forces of the two switches differ, it is important to note that both fall within the medium range. This means that regardless of their weight differences, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of force required for actuation and bottoming out.

Travel distance

Both the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Consequently, the tactile feedback and overall typing experience should be similar for both switches. So, whether you choose the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch or the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, you can expect comparable results in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Brown switch has a rounded sound profile that is generally much softer than most switches, although not completely silent. It falls into the category of a neutral switch, meaning it has a moderate sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Like the Gold Brown, the Sea Salt Lemon also falls into the neutral switch category, with a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps used. However, both switches are likely to provide similar results in terms of sound, with the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly lower in pitch.

When it comes to feel, both the Gold Brown and Sea Salt Lemon switches fall into the category of mild switches, offering a gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Gold Brown switch is also described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, it is accented, referring to a certain type of tactile switch that provides a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. This means that the Gold Brown switch offers a satisfying bump without being overly tactile. Moreover, it is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish that enables reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch is only described as mild, offering a gentle and approachable typing experience. While specific details about its feel are not mentioned, it can be inferred that the Sea Salt Lemon switch lacks the buttery smoothness, accentuated tactility, and polished finish of the Gold Brown switch.

In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have their own unique subjective qualities. The Gold Brown switch is known for its balanced nature, providing a satisfying bump, moderate weightiness, rounded sound profile, and a range of feel descriptors including mild, buttery, accented, and polished. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch showcases a buttery smooth typing experience, likely due to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. While information about its sound is limited to being low-pitched, it falls under the category of a mild switch in terms of feel. Therefore, while the two switches may have some similarities in terms of being neutral and mild, the Gold Brown switch offers a more comprehensive and diverse set of qualities.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a balanced and versatile switch, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch would be a great choice. With a medium bottom out force of 63 grams, it offers a moderate weightiness and a slight, satisfying bump. The Gold Brown provides a rounded and softer sound profile, making it suitable for various environments. Additionally, it offers a mild typing experience, with a smooth and refined finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.

On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lighter touch, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is an excellent option. With a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, it offers a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. The Sea Salt Lemon has a low-pitched sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Similar to the Gold Brown, it also offers a mild typing experience.

Ultimately, whether you choose the TTC Gold Brown or the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both switches offer their unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. Consider your preference for a bump or a linear feel, as well as the sound profile that suits your taste. Regardless of your choice, both switches provide a pleasant and approachable typing experience suitable for beginners and advanced users alike, whether you plan to use them at home or work.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Brown Tactile

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

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KTT Sea Salt Lemon Linear

$2.80 per 10

Learn more