TTC Gold Red vs. Gazzew LT

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the TTC Gold Red and the Gazzew LT. Both switches offer a linear typing experience, but they each have their own distinct characteristics that set them apart. The Gold Red is known for its buttery smooth feel and light-medium level of resistance, providing a comfortable typing experience. With a snappy sound profile, it adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Gazzew LT switches boast an enticing lilac hue and offer an auditory symphony of deep, resonant thockiness when typing. They also provide a seamless glide with every keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.

By the numbers

TTC Gold Red Linear

Gazzew LT Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and Gazzew LT switches offer contrasting characteristics when it comes to sound profiles. The Gold Red switch features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, resulting in a clear and resonant sound profile. On the other hand, the LT switch's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, also known as "boba plastic," produces a rich and deep sound. The softness of this blend contributes to a more mellow and rounded sound profile. Therefore, users looking for a switch with a sharp and clear sound may prefer the Gold Red, while those seeking a deeper and more soothing sound may opt for the LT.

In terms of aesthetics, the Gold Red switch's polycarbonate top housing is particularly advantageous if RGB lighting is intended to be used. The translucency of polycarbonate allows the light to shine through, creating an illuminated effect. In contrast, the Gazzew LT switch does not mention any specific benefits related to aesthetics in their proprietary blend top housing description. Thus, if the visual appeal of RGB lighting is a priority for users, the Gold Red switch may be the preferred choice.

Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Gold Red switch utilizes a nylon compound, which offers a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the LT switch's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, referred to as "boba plastic," contributes to a rich and deep sound. The softness of this blend likely provides similar characteristics to that of nylon. Therefore, users can expect a comparable sound experience in terms of depth and fullness with both the Gold Red and LT switches.

It is important to note that the bottom and top housing materials dictate different aspects of the switch experience. The qualities brought by each material are split between the bottom and top of the switch. Pressing down on the switch will primarily manifest the characteristics of the bottom housing, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Whereas, the sound produced when releasing a key will be influenced by the top housing. Therefore, users can anticipate discernible differences in sound and feel between the Gold Red and LT switches based on their respective housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gazzew LT linear switch, one notable difference is their actuation and bottom out forces. The Gold Red switch has a relatively light actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. In contrast, the exact actuation force for the LT switch is unavailable, but its bottom out force is 65 grams, making it medium-heavy.

Weight is an important consideration for many individuals, as it can impact typing comfort and endurance. Those who prefer a lighter switch might appreciate the Gold Red's lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter feel allows for longer typing sessions, making it ideal for professionals or avid gamers who spend extended periods at the keyboard. On the other hand, some users prefer a stronger push feel, which provides a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, the heavier bottom out force of the LT switch may be more suitable.

In cases where the actuation forces are equal, like with the Gold Red and its unavailable counterpart in the LT switch, users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, the difference in bottom out force indicates that the LT switch may require a slightly firmer press to fully engage. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences regarding weight and typing experience.

Travel distance

The TTC Gold Red and the Gazzew LT linear switches have different travel distances. The Gold Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls on the more traditional side. On the other hand, the LT has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that if you prefer a shallower feel when pressing down on a key, the LT would be the better option for you. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. However, if you prefer a more substantial and deeper feel when typing, the Gold Red would be the preferable choice. It's important to consider your personal preferences and needs when choosing between the two switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gold Red linear switch is often described as having a thocky sound profile. These switches produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released. With a low-pitched tone, the Gold Red switches offer a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. This neutral sound profile strikes a good balance and is suitable for a variety of uses, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, or whether you'll be using the switches at home or in a work environment. It's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

On the other hand, the Gazzew LT linear switch is known for its enticing lilac hue and the auditory symphony it provides. These switches are often described as offering a thocky sound profile characterized by a deep, resonant "thockiness" when keys are pressed. Similar to the Gold Red, the LT switches have a low-pitched tone, offering a delightful depth and richness associated with bass tones.

When it comes to feel, the Gold Red switch provides a mild and silky typing experience. These switches offer a more gentle typing feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. They provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Gold Red switches also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This polished feel enhances the overall typing experience, making it sleek and refined. With a subtle resistance, these switches maintain a light typing feel and have a sound signature that is not resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces.

Unfortunately, there is no available information on the specific feel of the Gazzew LT linear switch.

In conclusion, the Gold Red and Gazzew LT linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Red provides a thocky, low-pitched sound profile and a mild, silky, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the LT switches offer a thocky, low-pitched sound profile, but no information is available on their specific feel. While the LT switches may provide a similar thocky sound to the Gold Red, their feel remains unknown. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prefer a light-medium level of resistance and a buttery smooth typing experience, the TTC Gold Red linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, if you are looking for an auditory symphony of deep, resonant thockiness, the Gazzew LT linear switch would be the way to go. With their enticing lilac hue, these switches provide a seamless glide and offer a rich and bass-heavy sound profile. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. Keep in mind that the Gold Red switch has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the LT has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. Additionally, the Gold Red switch is described as having a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, while the LT switch is described as being bassy, thocky, and low-pitched. In terms of feel, the Gold Red switch is described as mild, silky, subtle, and polished, while there is no specific information provided for the LT switch. Consider these factors and choose the switch that best suits your preferences and typing style. In the end, both the TTC Gold Red and Gazzew LT linear switches offer their own unique benefits, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Red Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew LT Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more