TTC Gold Red vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that often come to mind are the TTC Gold Red and TTC Silent Red switches. The Gold Red switches are known for their buttery smooth typing experience, coupled with a light-medium level of resistance. These switches also offer a snappy sound profile, adding a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Silent Red switches deliver a seamless typing experience without all the noise. With a muted sound profile, these switches are ideal for office or shared living spaces. Additionally, they provide a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Silent Red, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This polycarbonate material offers similar benefits, such as creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting in their switches. Therefore, users can expect to experience similar sound and aesthetic qualities from both the Gold Red and Silent Red switches.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of these switches differs, with the Gold Red featuring a nylon bottom housing and the Silent Red employing the same material. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer nature. The nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the typing experience on the Gold Red switch may offer a slightly different sound and feel compared to the Silent Red, as the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel.
It's important to note that the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Since both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, users can expect a similar sound profile when it comes to key release. Therefore, the overall sound and feel of the switches will be affected by the combination of the different housing materials, with the top housing mainly influencing the key release sound and the bottom housing primarily impacting the bottom-out sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Gold Red switch has a relatively light actuation force of 43 grams, meaning it requires a gentle push to trigger a keypress. Similarly, the bottom out force for the Gold Red switch is 50 grams, indicating a relatively light pressure is needed to fully activate the key. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, providing a slightly stronger push feel. The bottom out force for the Silent Red switch is heavier at 63.5 grams, resulting in a more substantial typing experience.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Gold Red linear switch would be an ideal choice as it requires less force both for actuation and bottoming out. This lighter weight can contribute to comfortable typing for extended periods of time, whether it's for work or long gaming sessions. However, for individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience and a stronger push feel, the Silent Red switch would be the better option with its slightly higher actuation and significantly heavier bottom out force.
In conclusion, the actuation and bottom out forces of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch differ slightly, with the Gold Red switch being lighter and the Silent Red switch being heavier. Depending on individual preferences, one can select the switch that suits their desired typing experience, whether it is a lighter touch or a more substantial push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will provide similar results in terms of keystroke activation, but with variations in the force required.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch have different travel distances. The Gold Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. The 4 mm travel distance of the Gold Red is considered more traditional, providing a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the 3.7 mm travel distance of the Silent Red is shallower, which is often preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times. Choosing the shorter travel distance option can offer increased responsiveness. However, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press may find the shorter travel distance to be too abrupt. In conclusion, the Gold Red has a longer travel distance, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance, allowing users to choose between a more traditional depth or a shallower, quicker response.
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 TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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
In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is best described as having a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile. When pressed, it produces a deep and satisfying sound, similar to a "thud" or a soft "knock". The low-pitched characteristics give it a bass-heavy and mellow tone, creating a pleasing auditory experience. The neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various environments, whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or at work. It's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is known for its muted sound profile. It is specifically designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it an excellent choice for office or shared living spaces. The Silent Red switch produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, ensuring a more peaceful and uninterrupted typing experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gold Red provides a mild, silky, subtle, and polished typing experience. With a mild typing feel, these switches offer a more gentle and approachable experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. They also have a silky smoothness that enhances the overall typing feel, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The subtle resistance and non-resonant sound signature make them suitable for shared spaces, ensuring a comfortable and unobtrusive typing experience. Additionally, the polished finish of the switch, either through materials or factory lubing, adds to its sleek and refined typing sensation. This results in reduced friction and smoother key travel.
Similarly, the Silent Red switch also offers a mild, buttery, and polished feel. The buttery typing experience signifies a smooth and fluid keystroke, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Like the Gold Red switch, it has a mild typing feel that is gentle and comfortable for most users. The polished finish further enhances the smoothness and refinement of the switch, ensuring a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, while there are some differences in sound and feel between the TTC Gold Red and TTC Silent Red linear switches, they share many similar qualities. Both switches provide a smooth and seamless typing experience, with the Gold Red offering a slight snappy sound profile and the Silent Red offering a muted sound profile. They both have a mild typing feel that is approachable to most users, as well as a polished finish that enhances smoothness and refinement. Whether you choose the Gold Red or Silent Red, you can expect a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you're looking for a switch that offers a light-medium level of resistance and a buttery smooth typing experience, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is the way to go. It has a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too loud. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and seamless typing experience, especially in office or shared living spaces, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the perfect choice. It has a muted sound profile that minimizes noise, while still providing a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom. Ultimately, whether you prefer the thocky and low-pitched sound of the Gold Red or the muted and buttery smoothness of the Silent Red, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience. The decision between the two ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and specific usage scenarios.
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