TTC Gold Red vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch to the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that both offer smooth typing experiences with a light-medium level of resistance. The Gold Red provides a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality without being too ostentatious, while the MX Silent Red operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The Gold Red is described as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Silky', 'Subtle', 'Polished', while the MX Silent Red is characterized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Textured'. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches may come down to whether you prefer a quieter typing experience or a bit more sound feedback. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and Cherry MX Silent Red switches, one noticeable difference is in their top housings. While the Gold Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing to create a sharper, crisper sound profile, the MX Silent Red employs a nylon top housing for a deeper and fuller sound. The polycarbonate material of the Gold Red is stiffer, leading to a more resonant sound profile, particularly ideal for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the nylon material of the MX Silent Red is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Gold Red's sharper tone.
Moving on to the bottom housings of these switches, both the Gold Red and MX Silent Red feature nylon bottom housings. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile in both switches. Since nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel when typing. The presence of nylon in the bottom housing of these switches creates a consistent and satisfying typing experience overall, despite the differences in their top housings.
It's important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. While the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, despite the differences in their top housing material, both the Gold Red and MX Silent Red switches offer a comparable typing experience due to their shared nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a similar deep and full sound profile.
Weight
The TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch both offer a smooth typing experience with their linear design, but they differ in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The TTC Gold Red has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the MX Silent Red's slightly heavier 45 grams. However, the TTC Gold Red also has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the bottom out force for the MX Silent Red is unknown. Consideration of these factors is important, as a lighter actuation force can lead to less fatigue during extended typing sessions or gaming, while a heavier bottom out force can provide a more substantial feel for those who prefer a bit more resistance in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the standard range of travel distances, with the Gold Red offering a bit more depth compared to the MX Silent Red. Gamers may prefer the MX Silent Red for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may find the Gold Red more satisfying to use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for keypress feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red 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 Red for $3.28.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 linear switch is best characterized as having a thocky and low-pitched profile, providing a deep and satisfying sound without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch offers a muted and thocky sound profile, prioritizing quiet operation for noise-sensitive environments. While the Gold Red switch adds a touch of personality with its snappy sound, the MX Silent Red switch focuses on minimizing noise, making it ideal for office spaces or shared areas where typing noise needs to be kept to a minimum. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your preference for sound, with the Gold Red offering a slightly more audible typing experience and the MX Silent Red ensuring a quieter operation.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Red linear switch provides a mild, silky, subtle, and polished typing experience, boasting a smooth and refined feel with a light-medium level of resistance. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch is described as having a textured feel, which may introduce some noticeable friction for users who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback. The Gold Red switch focuses on offering a gentle and approachable typing experience with minimal resistance, while the MX Silent Red switch features a slightly heftier feel reminiscent of the classic MX Red switch but with the added benefit of silent operation. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing feel, with the Gold Red providing a smooth and polished experience and the MX Silent Red catering to those who appreciate a bit of texture in their keystrokes.
Overall, when comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is clear that they offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Red switch excels in providing a snappy and low-pitched sound profile coupled with a silky and polished typing feel, ideal for users seeking a buttery smooth typing experience with a touch of personality. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switch prioritizes quiet operation with its muted sound profile and introduces a textured feel for those who prefer a bit of friction in their keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality linear typing experiences, with the choice between them depending on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, you should consider a few factors. If you prioritize a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, along with a snappy sound profile that adds personality without being too loud, the Gold Red would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a similar typing experience to the MX Red but with a silent operation that is ideal for noise-sensitive environments, the MX Silent Red would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your preference for sound and feel, so consider which characteristics matter most to you when making your decision.
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