TTC Gold Brown vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the TTC Gold Brown, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, a linear switch. Both switches offer unique features and characteristics that make them stand out. The Gold Brown is known for its balanced nature, providing a slight, satisfying bump with a moderate weightiness. It also has a softer sound profile compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow offers a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, with a rich and bassy tone that enhances the typing experience. It features a unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method, contributing to a distinct gliding feel. While both switches have their merits, delving deeper into their specific qualities will help you make the best decision based on your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Brown and the Everglide Sunset Yellow differ in terms of their housing materials. The Gold Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top housing. The polycarbonate top housing in the Gold Brown produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing's translucency is beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the POM top housing in the Sunset Yellow creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, providing a unique auditory experience.
In terms of the bottom housings, the Gold Brown incorporates a nylon bottom housing, while the Sunset Yellow features a POM bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing in the Gold Brown leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound, which may cater to individuals who prefer a more subdued typing experience. Similarly, the POM bottom housing in the Sunset Yellow also contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile, providing a pleasant and distinctive auditory response.
Although the top and bottom housings differ between the two switches, it is important to note that the qualities brought by each housing material will impact different aspects of the typing experience. When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing's qualities will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Gold Brown and Sunset Yellow have contrasting housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles that can enhance the typing experience in their own distinct ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are a few noticeable differences. The Gold Brown has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams, making it slightly heavier to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Gold Brown is also higher at 63 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 51 grams. This means that the Gold Brown switch requires a slightly stronger push for a more substantial typing experience, while the Sunset Yellow provides a lighter and easier keystroke.
For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sunset Yellow would be more suitable as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who enjoy a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may find the Gold Brown to be their preferred option.
In terms of weight, the Gold Brown is slightly heavier both in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, while the Sunset Yellow falls into the medium-light range for both categories. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on an individual's personal preference and typing style. However, it is important to note that despite the differences in force, both switches provide a medium level of actuation and bottom out force, ensuring a comparable typing experience for those who desire similar results.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that if you prefer a switch with a shorter travel distance, the Sunset Yellow would be the better choice. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances for faster response times. However, if you prefer a more substantial depth to your keystrokes, the Gold Brown with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. It's worth noting that both switches offer a tactile experience, allowing you to feel the distance as you press down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preference for travel distance and the responsiveness you desire.
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 Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Brown switch is known for its balanced and rounded sound profile. It has a moderate sound level, softer compared to most switches without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a captivating and indulgent sound profile. It is described as having a rich and bassy sound, reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. It also has a thocky characteristic, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed and released. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Brown switch provides a mild and approachable typing experience. It falls in a safe middle-ground zone, offering a gentle feel and sound that most users will find comfortable. It is described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The switch is also accented, providing a medium amount of tactility that is not overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, it is polished, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy and frictionless typing experience. It provides a smooth and buttery sensation, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The switch is also described as polished, indicating a refined finish and smooth key travel.
Overall, the TTC Gold Brown and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Brown provides a balanced sound profile with a satisfying bump and moderate weightiness. Its feel is mild, buttery, accented, and polished, offering a safe and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow offers a captivating sound profile with a rich and bassy sound, combined with a thocky characteristic. Its feel is creamy, frictionless, and polished, providing a smooth and indulgent typing experience. While their subjective qualities differ, users can expect similar results in terms of balance, smoothness, and reduced friction due to the polished finish of both switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a balanced switch with a slight, satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch would be a great choice. The Gold Brown switches offer a softer sound profile and are suitable for both beginners and advanced users. On the other hand, if you prefer a captivating sound profile with a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch would be ideal. These switches provide a distinct gliding feel and a highly responsive typing experience. The Sunset Yellow switches have a medium-light bottom out force, making them suitable for a wide range of users. In terms of sound, the Gold Brown has a neutral profile, while the Sunset Yellow offers a deeper and richer bassy sound. In terms of feel, the Gold Brown provides a mild, buttery, accented, and polished typing experience, while the Sunset Yellow offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and your desired typing experience.