TTC Gold Red vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch can significantly impact your typing experience. Two popular options are the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, both of which are linear switches but serve different user preferences. The TTC Gold Red is celebrated for its buttery smooth feel and a light to medium resistance, providing a balanced typing experience that is both snappy and understated—ideal for those who appreciate a subtle auditory feedback without overwhelming distractions. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g is designed for those who prioritize quiet operation, mimicking the soft sound of raindrops, making it a fantastic choice for a serene typing environment. With its meticulously engineered 53g actuation force, the Silent Sakura ensures a light yet satisfying keystroke, perfect for late-night work sessions or shared spaces. Each switch offers unique benefits tailored to different needs, whether it's a polished feel with the Gold Red or a whisper-quiet experience with the Silent Sakura. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

TTC Gold Red Linear

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

$3.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, one can observe distinct characteristics stemming from their respective compositions. The TTC Gold Red features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which contributes to a more resonant and clear audio experience. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g incorporates a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon means it absorbs more sound, yielding a duller and rounder acoustic quality. Therefore, while the Gold Red may offer a more vibrant auditory experience, the Silent Sakura provides a muted, rich resonance that many users find appealing.

Examining the bottom housing reveals an interesting contrast and a complementary balance. The Gold Red utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which, similar to its top design, fosters a deep and full sound profile. Conversely, the Silent Sakura's bottom housing is made of polycarbonate, known for its contribution to a sharper and more vibrant sound. This alignment between switch housing materials highlights how the impact of sound can differ based on the level of pressure applied. Specifically, the bottom housing characteristics carry more influence at the point of bottoming out when a key is pressed, while the top housing primarily affects the sound when the key is released.

In terms of overall performance, the interplay of these materials will shape the typing experience. If one were to use the Gold Red and Silent Sakura side by side, users might observe that the Gold Red delivers a more pronounced crack upon release and a more muted thud when bottoming out, courtesy of its nylon bottom. In contrast, the Silent Sakura may produce a softer release sound coupled with a crisper bottom-out note, resulting from the polycarbonate housing below. Thus, while the materials lead to differing tonal qualities, the switches can still achieve similar results in terms of satisfying tactile feedback and responsiveness, catering to various preferences among users depending on whether they favor a sharper or a fuller auditory experience.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces that cater to varying preferences among users. The TTC Gold Red features a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer, less strenuous typing experience—perfect for prolonged use during work or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, which offers a more balanced feel that may appeal to users seeking a more substantial key press. Consequently, the TTC Gold Red switch is lighter overall, while the HMX Silent Sakura is heavier, providing a medium-light weight that falls between the two. This variance impacts typing experience, with the Gold Red being more suitable for effortless typing, whereas the Silent Sakura may deliver a more satisfying tactile feedback for some typists.

Travel distance

Both the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on either switch, users will experience the same amount of travel, resulting in a similar key feel and actuation. The consistent travel distance between the two switches ensures that they maintain comparable performance in typing or gaming scenarios, making them suitable options for those looking for a linear switch with predictable actuation behavior. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of travel distance when choosing between the two.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, the Gold Red offers a thocky and low-pitched auditory experience, often described as a deep and rich sound that resonates pleasantly during use. This makes it suitable for a more traditional typing feel without becoming obnoxious. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura is engineered for a whisper-quiet performance, creating an audio environment that resembles the gentle tapping of raindrops. This stark contrast indicates that while both switches provide enjoyable sound experiences, the Gold Red leans towards a more expressive sound palette, while the Silent Sakura caters to those who prioritize silence and discretion during typing.

Regarding the feel of these switches, the Gold Red delivers a mild and silky sensation, ensuring a smooth keystroke with gentle resistance throughout the typing experience. This polished experience is complemented by the subtle yet refined motion of the switches, making them approachable for all types of users. In contrast, details about the feel of the Silent Sakura - 53g are unknown, which leaves a gap in the ability to compare tactile experiences directly. However, based on its design focus on quiet operation, one might expect a certain level of smoothness and comfort that aligns with the trends seen in other similar switches.

In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switches cater to different preferences when it comes to sound and feel. While the Gold Red is ideal for typists who appreciate a rich auditory feedback with a smooth feel, the Silent Sakura emphasizes a quiet operation that likely appeals to those in shared or noise-sensitive environments. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on one’s personal typing habits and sound preferences, as both have distinct qualities that lead to enjoyable typing experiences.

Conclusion

To sum up, your choice between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and environment. If you prefer a light switch that offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a bit of personality, the Gold Red is an excellent option. Its 50g bottom out force makes it ideal for both casual and intensive typists who enjoy a snappy sound profile without it becoming overly loud. On the other hand, if you value a whisper-quiet experience and appreciate the slightly heavier 53g bottom out force, the Silent Sakura is your best bet. Its meticulously engineered design caters to those who prioritize silence while still desiring a light yet satisfying keystroke, making it perfect for shared or quieter spaces. Essentially, the Gold Red is suited for when you want a more expressive and interactive experience, while the Silent Sakura is ideal for maintaining a tranquil atmosphere without sacrificing feel. By understanding these distinctions, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Red Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more