TTC Gold Red vs. KTT Hyacinth

Overview

If you're in search of a top-quality mechanical keyboard switch, the TTC Gold Red and KTT Hyacinth are two options worth considering. The Gold Red is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience and light-medium level of resistance, providing a pleasant and effortless feel while typing. These switches also offer a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality without being overly ostentatious. On the other hand, the Hyacinth stands out with its unique design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance. This decision was made to ensure a more comfortable typing experience by avoiding the hard bottoming-out often associated with longer-stem switches. The Hyacinth also deviates from the mainstream trend of using dual-stage elongated springs, instead opting for a single-stage elongated spring for a more consistent force curve. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your keyboard needs.

By the numbers

TTC Gold Red Linear

KTT Hyacinth Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

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Housing materials

The TTC Gold Red and the KTT Hyacinth have similar housing materials in terms of their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect comparable sound and lighting experiences from both the Gold Red and the Hyacinth in terms of their polycarbonate top housing.

In terms of their bottom housing, both switches feature nylon as the material of choice. This material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on the switches. Nylon's softer plastic composition allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. As a result, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound from both the Gold Red and the Hyacinth, thanks to their nylon bottom housing.

It is important to note that while the top and bottom housings differ for each switch, the qualities of each housing material are still present. Pressing down on the switch will showcase the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect slight variations in the sound and feel between the Gold Red and the Hyacinth, but overall, they will provide similar results due to their shared housing materials.

Weight

When considering the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Gold Red has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Hyacinth's slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have a relatively light actuation force which allows for easy and quick keystrokes.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Gold Red switch requires a force of 50 grams to fully press down, while the Hyacinth switch has a slightly higher bottom out force of 56 grams. This means that the Hyacinth switch provides a slightly more substantial typing experience with a greater push feel compared to the Gold Red switch.

Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Gold Red switch more suitable, as its lighter actuation and bottom out forces allow for longer typing periods without causing fatigue. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more pronounced typing experience may opt for the Hyacinth switch with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces.

Overall, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, but the Gold Red is lighter in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, providing a gentler touch. Meanwhile, the Hyacinth switch offers a slightly heavier touch, allowing for a more substantial and satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on one's personal preferences and desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The TTC Gold Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches offer relatively short travel distances compared to the more traditional 4.0 mm range. Gamers in particular often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Hyacinth switch with its 3.5 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, for those who prefer a deeper keypress experience, the Gold Red switch with its slightly longer 4 mm travel distance may be more appealing. Ultimately, the preference for travel distance depends on individual typing or gaming preferences.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the TTC Gold Red switches are best described as thocky, low-pitched, and neutral. This means that when pressed and released, the switches produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound that can be compared to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock". The low-pitched sound profile adds a bass-heavy and mellow tone to the typing experience. Overall, the sound of these switches is moderate and suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. However, it is important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

In terms of feel, both the Gold Red and Hyacinth switches offer a silky and subtle typing experience with a gentle resistance. This means that the switches provide an exceptionally smooth feel while typing, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The typing experience with these switches is approachable to most users, as the mild and subtle qualities of the switches fall within a safe, middle-ground zone. Additionally, the sound signature of these switches is not resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces. The Gold Red switches are also described as mild and polished, offering a refined and sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. It can be assumed that the Hyacinth switches also provide a polished feel, although this information is not explicitly mentioned.

Overall, both the TTC Gold Red and KTT Hyacinth switches offer a light-medium level of resistance and a smooth typing experience. The Gold Red switches have a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality to the keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Hyacinth switches stand out for their design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to provide an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Both switches have a neutral sound profile and offer a subtle and silky feel. While there may be slight differences in their characteristics based on the available information, it can be expected that using either switch will provide similar results in terms of sound and feel. The ultimate choice between the two will depend on personal preference and specific requirements for the typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is the way to go. These switches offer a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, making them deep and satisfying when pressed. The Gold Red switches have a mild and silky feel, providing a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. They are also polished, resulting in a sleek finish. On the other hand, if you prefer a 3.5mm travel distance to avoid a hard bottoming-out experience, then the KTT Hyacinth linear switch is the better choice for you. These switches have a neutral sound profile, suitable for most intents and purposes. They also offer a silky and subtle feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of your typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Ultimately, both switches have their unique features, and it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Red Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

Learn more

KTT Hyacinth Linear

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

Learn more