TTC Gold Red Pro vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The TTC Gold Red Pro and Cherry MX Black are both linear switches that offer unique qualities to cater to different preferences. The Gold Red Pro is praised for its versatility, providing a seamless typing experience with its ease of press and neutral sound signature. On the other hand, the MX Black, with Cherry's Hyperglide tooling, offers a classic textured smoothness and a deep sound profile. While the Gold Red Pro is characterized as polished, thocky, and subtle, the MX Black is known for being low-pitched, textured, and stiff. Both switches have their strengths, making them suitable for various settings such as gaming, office work, or typing. 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
43g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
NPI
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
18.5mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Cherry MX Black switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different materials. The Gold Red Pro's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffness creating a clear and resonant profile. In comparison, the MX Black's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound with a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder profile. While the Gold Red Pro's top housing is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the MX Black's nylon top housing creates a classic typing experience with its unique sound profile.
On the other hand, both switches share a similar nylon bottom housing material, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile for typing. The softer nature of nylon in the bottom housing absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Therefore, the typing experience on both switches utilizing nylon in the bottom housing will offer a similar sound profile. This consistency in housing material highlights the importance of the switch's bottom housing in impacting the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on the switches.
In conclusion, the choice of housing material in a switch plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and typing experience of the keyboard. The Gold Red Pro's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, crisper sound ideal for RGB lighting, while the MX Black's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller typing experience. The shared nylon bottom housing in both switches ensures a consistent deeper sound profile, demonstrating how housing materials can impact the overall typing experience on mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, it is evident that the TTC Gold Red Pro is lighter in terms of actuation force at 43 grams compared to the Cherry MX Black at 60 grams. The bottom out force for the Gold Red Pro is unknown, while the Cherry MX Black has a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams. This means that the Cherry MX Black switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier push feel, which is preferred by some users. Those who favor a lighter actuation force may find the TTC Gold Red Pro more suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. While both switches fall within the typical range for travel distances, the Gold Red Pro offers a slightly quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance. This makes it a popular choice among gamers who prefer faster response times. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch provides a bit more depth with its 4 mm travel distance, which may be preferred by those who like a more substantial key feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and key responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red Pro for $2.90.
The Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and rich typing experience without being too overpowering. This neutral sound quality makes it suitable for different environments and preferences. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is known for its low-pitched sound, offering a classic deep sound profile that many users find familiar and satisfying. While both switches have a low-pitched sound, the Gold Red Pro may offer a slightly more versatile and adaptable sound experience due to its neutral nature.
Moving on to feel, the Gold Red Pro switch is described as polished, silky, mild, and subtle, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance and minimal friction. These qualities enhance the overall typing feel and make the switch approachable to most users. In contrast, the Cherry MX Black is known for its textured and stiff feel, providing noticeable friction and requiring more force to actuate and bottom out. While some users may prefer a textured feel for added feedback, others may find the smoother and gentler typing experience of the Gold Red Pro more appealing.
In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch offer unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. The Gold Red Pro stands out for its versatility in sound and smoothness in feel, making it a great choice for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black provides a classic deep sound profile and a slightly more textured typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, but rest assured that both options will provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, consider the following guidelines: opt for the Gold Red Pro if you prioritize versatility, a neutral sound profile, and a polished, silky typing experience. The Gold Red Pro is ideal for those who desire a switch that can adapt to various settings and preferences, offering a seamless and refined typing experience. On the other hand, choose the MX Black if you prefer a heavier bottom out force, a deep sound profile, and a textured, stiff typing feel. The MX Black is great for users who enjoy a classic switch with a familiar, deep sound and a bit more resistance when typing. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your specific preferences and typing style.
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