TTC Gold Red vs. Wuque Studio WS Dash
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Dash switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the benefits of different options—such as the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash Hall Effect switch. The Gold Red is celebrated for its buttery smooth typing experience and light to medium resistance, making it a great choice for those who value a more subdued yet responsive feel during both gaming and typing sessions. Its snappy sound profile adds a subtle touch of personality without becoming intrusive, appealing to users who prefer a ‘thocky’ and polished sound that enhances their overall keyboard experience. On the other hand, the WS Dash switches stand out with their captivating bright and clacky sound signature, complemented by a silky smooth keystroke that makes every press a delight. This switch caters to those who enjoy a more vibrant acoustic feedback and a touch of refinement in their setup. While each switch offers unique advantages—whether it's the understated elegance of the Gold Red or the lively characteristics of the WS Dash—it's essential to assess your personal preferences to find the perfect fit for your typing style. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
30g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
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
The TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Dash both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which directly influences their acoustic properties. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, allowing for a sharper and crisper sound profile. Users can expect a clear and resonant tone when utilizing these switches, particularly advantageous for those who prefer the sharp auditory feedback that arises with tactile or clicky switches. Moreover, both switches benefit aesthetically from the translucency of polycarbonate, making them ideal candidates for setups with RGB lighting. The similarity in their top housing composition guarantees that users will experience an alike vibrancy in sound and illumination effects, enhancing their overall keyboard experience.
While both switches use polycarbonate for the top housing, their choice of materials for the bottom housing varies. The Gold Red switch features a nylon bottom housing, which is characterized by its softness compared to polycarbonate. This softness leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. Conversely, the WS Dash also employs nylon for its bottom housing, thereby ensuring that it shares this soft and resonating sound quality with the Gold Red. Consequently, both switches will have similar bottom-out sounds and tactile feedback during typing, as the qualities inherent in nylon serve to round out their overall sound design.
Ultimately, the split between the top and bottom housings provides a balanced auditory experience for both switches. With both the TTC Gold Red and the WS Dash relying on polycarbonate for their tops, they exhibit a bright and clear tonal quality when the keys are released. The nylon bottom housing for both models produces a muted, deeper tone when pressed down, harmonizing the varied sound profiles. This intentional design in the housing materials creates distinct yet harmonious auditory results, appealing to enthusiasts seeking clarity with a warmer undertone in their keyboard experience. In summary, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in both switches yields similar results, merging the sharper sound of the polycarbonate top with the fuller tones of the nylon bottom, leading to an enjoyable user experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch, notable differences arise in their actuation and bottom out forces. The TTC Gold Red presents an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a light switch overall. In contrast, the WS Dash features a lighter actuation force of 30 grams, although its bottom out force is slightly heavier at 55 grams. This means that while the WS Dash requires less force to register a key press, it ultimately requires more force to bottom out compared to the Gold Red. Therefore, for users seeking a lighter feel, the WS Dash may provide more comfortable typing for extended sessions, while those preferring a more substantial experience might lean towards the TTC Gold Red due to its firmer bottom out. Overall, each switch caters to different preferences, with the Gold Red being the heavier option in terms of bottoming out.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch, a clear distinction emerges. The TTC Gold Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Dash measures slightly shorter at 3.5 mm. This difference indicates that those who choose the WS Dash will experience a more responsive feel, which is often favored by gamers seeking quicker response times. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial keystroke that some users find more satisfying, as it provides a deeper and more hearty typing experience. Therefore, if you lean towards a more tactile feedback with a slight delay, the Gold Red would be your choice; but if you prefer quicker actuation, the WS Dash would be the better option.
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 Wuque Studio WS Dash has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Dash for $7.49.
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 provides a thocky, low-pitched sound that is both deep and rich, offering a satisfying acoustic experience without being overly loud or intrusive. This neutral signature makes it a versatile choice, suitable for both home and work environments. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch is characterized by a bright and clacky sound signature. While not explicitly detailed, the clackiness suggests that it may produce a sharper and more pronounced auditory response compared to the mellower tones of the Gold Red. This difference in sound profiles can create diverse atmospheres, with the Gold Red favoring a more subdued experience and the WS Dash leaning into brightness.
In terms of feel, the Gold Red switches offer a mild and silky typing experience. They are designed to have gentle resistance, which caters to both beginner and experienced typists, allowing for a smooth and polished key travel. This creates a sense of refined touch, making long typing sessions more comfortable. The WS Dash switch does not have explicit attributes detailed in this regard, so its tactile feel remains a mystery. However, given the reputation of hall effect switches, one could expect smoothness on par with or potentially different from the Gold Red, emphasizing adaptation to user preference.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Red linear switch showcases a buttery smooth typing experience with a thocky sound profile, making it a balanced choice for various settings. In contrast, the WS Dash promises a bright auditory experience but lacks detailed descriptions of its tactile feedback. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different user needs, and trying them can help determine which aligns best with individual typing preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you're seeking a switch that offers a buttery smooth and light typing experience, the Gold Red is an excellent choice. With its lower actuation force of 50 grams, it’s well-suited for lengthy typing sessions where comfort and reduced finger fatigue are priorities. Its thocky, low-pitched sound profile adds a satisfying auditory feedback that can be enjoyed in quieter environments, making it ideal for both home and office use. On the other hand, if you prefer a keystroke that feels refined and features a more pronounced auditory character, you might gravitate towards the WS Dash. With a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams, it strikes a balance between responsiveness and resistance, while its bright and clacky sound signature enhances the tactile experience. This makes it particularly appealing for gamers or those who appreciate a keyboard that stands out in playability and aura. In essence, go for the Gold Red for an understated, smooth experience, or opt for the WS Dash if you want a more vibrant and engaging sound with each keystroke.
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