TTC Gold Brown vs. Aflion Thunder Shadow
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Aflion Thunder Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Brown and the Aflion Thunder Shadow both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Gold Brown is praised for its balanced nature, providing a slight, satisfying bump along with a moderate weightiness. Its rounded sound profile adds a touch of softness without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow from Aflion boasts a pronounced tactile bump while maintaining an overall harmony. With a medium weight feel and a neutral sound signature, these switches demonstrate Aflion's commitment to innovation. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Gold Brown leans towards a buttery and polished experience, whereas the Thunder Shadow is invigorating and neutral. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown and the Aflion Thunder Shadow show similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, which both create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, leading to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the nylon bottom housing, both switches differ slightly. The Gold Brown's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow's nylon bottom housing offers similar qualities, enhancing the typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound.
Despite their similarities in the polycarbonate top housing, the Gold Brown and Thunder Shadow switches differ in their bottom housing materials. The nylon bottom housing of the Gold Brown provides a unique typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound, while the Thunder Shadow's nylon bottom housing offers a similar effect, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder tone. This difference in bottom housing materials may impact the overall sound profile and feel of each switch. While the top housing influences the sound when a key is released, the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed.
In summary, both the TTC Gold Brown and the Aflion Thunder Shadow feature polycarbonate top housings that result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the switches differ in their nylon bottom housings, with the Gold Brown offering a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's absorbent nature, while the Thunder Shadow provides a similar effect with a slightly different tone. The combination of these housing materials in each switch contributes to a unique typing experience, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon releasing a key.
Weight
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, which does not have a specified actuation force. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 63 grams, making them comparable in terms of the amount of force needed to fully press the key. The Gold Brown can provide a comfortable typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch, while the Thunder Shadow offers a slightly heavier push feel for a more robust typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing comfort and the desired level of tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, the Gold Brown has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Thunder Shadow's 3.5 mm. The Gold Brown offers a more traditional travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper key press sensation. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow's shorter travel distance could be more appealing to individuals seeking a quicker response time, such as gamers. Both switches provide a tactile experience, but the Gold Brown offers a slightly longer key press distance than the Thunder Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Aflion Thunder Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
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 it comes to sound, both the TTC Gold Brown and Aflion Thunder Shadow switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. This means that whether you are a beginner or a seasoned user, and whether you use these switches at home or in a professional setting, you can expect a pleasing sound experience with either switch. Remember that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gold Brown offers a mild and buttery typing experience, with a balanced level of tactility that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. These switches provide a smooth and uniform keystroke sensation, making typing on them effortless and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow switch is described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force. This results in a snappy and reactive typing feel that can enhance the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Brown and Aflion Thunder Shadow switches offer a balanced and neutral sound profile, making them versatile options for different users and settings. While the Gold Brown provides a mild and buttery typing feel, the Thunder Shadow offers a more invigorating typing experience with pronounced feedback. Ultimately, both switches excel in their own unique ways, and the choice between them will come down to personal preference and typing style. If you enjoy a more gentle and smooth typing experience, the Gold Brown may be the better option for you, while the Thunder Shadow is ideal for those who prefer a more tactile and responsive feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom-out force and tactile bump intensity. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom-out force and a balanced, buttery typing experience with a moderate tactile bump, the TTC Gold Brown switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a more invigorating typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, the Aflion Thunder Shadow switch would be a suitable option. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile, making them versatile for various environments and user levels. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and feedback.
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