TTC Gold Red vs. HMX Poro
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Poro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Poro each offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Gold Red is celebrated for its buttery smooth keystrokes and light to medium resistance, providing a balanced typing experience. Its low-pitched, thocky sound profile adds a touch of personality to your setup without overwhelming the senses, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more subtle auditory feedback. In contrast, the HMX Poro takes smoothness to another level with its meticulously lubricated design, ensuring an effortless glide across the keys. This switch boasts a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound, driven by its ultra-light actuation force, perfect for users who enjoy a more dynamic auditory response while typing. While the Gold Red is ideal for users seeking a polished, neutral experience, the Poro caters to those who relish the lively and vibrant sensations of each keystroke. 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
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Ly
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
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Poro switches, a distinct contrast emerges primarily due to their top housing materials. The Gold Red features a polycarbonate top housing, which is characterized by its stiffness. This stiffness contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and more resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Poro opts for a nylon top housing, a material known for its softer characteristics that absorb sound rather than amplify it. As a result, the Poro delivers a duller and rounder acoustic experience. This difference in housing materials means that while the Gold Red may shine brightly with RGB lighting due to the translucency of polycarbonate, the HMX Poro will provide a warmer auditory experience that some users may find more appealing during daily typing.
Interestingly, when it comes to the bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon, resulting in a shared characteristic that contributes to their sound profiles. The softness of nylon reduces noise and yields a deeper, fuller sound. Therefore, in terms of bottom-out sound and overall feel when pressing the keys, both switches converge on a significantly similar auditory experience. Hence, regardless of the contrasting top housings, users can expect a consistency in deeper sound and tactile response when interfacing with the bottom housing of each switch. This shared material places both switches in a common auditory territory, highlighting the role of the bottom housing in defining the typing experience.
In summary, the Gold Red and HMX Poro switches demonstrate a juxtaposition of materials that lend their respective sound profiles unique characteristics. The polycarbonate top of the Gold Red amplifies sharper sounds and enhances visual appeal with RGB, while the nylon top of the Poro softens sound and contributes to a more subdued auditory profile. However, with both switches incorporating nylon in their bottom housings, the impact on sound and feel during use becomes notably similar, providing an interesting dichotomy between their upper and lower structures. Consequently, even with these distinctions in material, the overall user experience, particularly regarding tactile feedback, may remain harmoniously aligned.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, both provide a light typing experience, yet exhibit subtle differences in their actuation forces. The Gold Red has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the Poro requires a slightly heavier 45 grams for actuation. Both switches share the same bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that both switches will feel similar when fully pressed down. The lighter actuation force of the Gold Red may appeal to users who prioritize prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming marathons, as it requires less effort to engage. Conversely, the Poro, with its marginally higher actuation force, may offer a bit more resistance, catering to those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Ultimately, while both switches are considered light, the TTC Gold Red is the lighter option, while the HMX Poro is the heavier of the two.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option compared to the HMX Poro linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference of 0.3 mm may seem minimal, but it can influence the overall feel of the switching experience. The longer travel distance of the Gold Red switch may provide a more substantial keystroke, favoring users who appreciate a deeper tactile feedback when typing or gaming. Conversely, the HMX Poro's shorter 3.7 mm travel distance is more aligned with current gaming preferences, offering quicker actuation and potentially faster response times for those who prioritize speed. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you lean towards a more pronounced keypress or a quicker, more responsive keystroke experience.
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 HMX Poro has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Poro for $2.99.
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 produces a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, characterized by a deep, rich tone reminiscent of a soft thud when a key is pressed and released. This neutral sound makes it versatile, suitable for various environments, from an office to gaming setups, without being overly intrusive. In contrast, the HMX Poro linear switch does not have a sound profile listed, which leaves its acoustic characteristics unknown, making it difficult to directly compare with the Gold Red's snappy yet mellow canvas of sound. However, it is worth noting that sound can greatly depend on other factors like the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used, so users might still achieve varying results.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Red switches are described as providing a mild, silky, and polished typing experience. This means that users can expect gentle resistance, making the typing more approachable for both newcomers and seasoned typists alike. The smooth actions of this switch minimize friction, resulting in less fatigue during extended typing sessions and a polished overall experience. The qualities of the HMX Poro linear switch are unspecified, which leaves a gap in our understanding of how it might compare in feel. The lack of details makes it challenging to determine whether it offers an equally smooth or distinct typing experience.
In summary, the TTC Gold Red linear switch stands out for its thocky sound and its soft, polished feel, making it an excellent option for users seeking a gentle yet satisfying typing experience. The HMX Poro linear switch has unknown qualities in both sound and feel, resulting in uncertainty around its performance. For those looking to achieve a balance of sound and tactile satisfaction, the Gold Red is a reliable choice, while the Poro's characteristics remain a mystery, leaving potential users to explore its qualities for themselves.
Conclusion
To wrap up, choosing between the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Poro linear switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and intended use. If you’re seeking a switch that offers a buttery smooth typing experience along with a low-pitched, thocky sound profile, the Gold Red switches may be your best bet. Their mild feel combined with subtlety makes them particularly well-suited for shared workspaces, where noise control is important, yet they still provide a gratifying experience for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, if you're after a switch that delivers an ultra-smooth and effortless keystroke coupled with a satisfyingly poppy sound, you might prefer the HMX Poro switches. Designed for those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while maintaining a light actuation force, the HMX Poro could be ideal for gaming or casual typing sessions where auditory feedback enhances your experience. Ultimately, the choice rests on whether you prioritize sound profile and smoothness over tactile feedback and personality, allowing you to customize your keyboard experience to truly reflect your style and needs.
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