TTC Gold Red vs. Wuque Studio WS Morandi
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch are two highly regarded mechanical keyboard switches, each with their own unique features and benefits. The Gold Red is known for providing a smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. Its snappy sound profile adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches offer innovation and visual aesthetics, with an ultra-smooth feel and a light-diffusing column that enhances RGB visuals. The UPE stem provides a unique dry, airy, and wispy smoothness, creating a distinct typing experience. While both switches have their advantages, it's important to delve deeper into their specific attributes to determine the best fit for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
UPE
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches showcase notable differences in sound profile and aesthetics. The Gold Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Its translucent nature makes it ideal for those who plan to incorporate RGB lighting into their keyboard setup. In contrast, the WS Morandi features a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both housing materials offer a unique and pleasing sound, the Gold Red's polycarbonate brings a more vibrant and resonant quality, while the WS Morandi's POM has a mellower tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Gold Red employs a nylon material that offers a classic switch experience. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the WS Morandi also incorporates POM for its bottom housing, creating a similarly pleasing and unique sound. With a relatively more muted profile, the POM bottom housing in the WS Morandi complements the deeper tone of its POM top housing. While both switches provide distinct sound characteristics, the Gold Red's nylon bottom housing delivers a more pronounced and resonant typing experience compared to the WS Morandi's POM bottom housing.
When both the top and bottom housing materials differ in a switch, distinct qualities are split between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch will primarily highlight the qualities of the bottom housing, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. In the case of the Gold Red, the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and more substantial feel when typing. Similarly, the WS Morandi's POM bottom housing enhances the overall depth of key presses. Conversely, the top housing materials take center stage when keys are released, influencing the sound produced. As such, the polycarbonate top housing in the Gold Red contributes to a sharp and resonant sound when keys are released, while the POM top housing in the WS Morandi produces a deeper and more muted sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Gold Red has a relatively light actuation force of 43 grams, making it sensitive and responsive to touch. In contrast, the actuation force of the WS Morandi is unavailable, which means its sensitivity is unknown. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Gold Red requires a slightly heavier force of 50 grams, ensuring a solid typing experience without being overly strenuous. On the other hand, the WS Morandi has a higher bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial and pronounced typing sensation.
Considering the weight aspect, the TTC Gold Red is lighter in terms of actuation and bottom out forces compared to the WS Morandi. This lighter weight can be beneficial for those who prefer a keyboard that allows them to type for longer periods without fatigue. It is especially suitable for individuals who bring their keyboard to work or engage in marathon gaming sessions. However, for users seeking a more prominent push feel during typing, the heavier bottom out force of the WS Morandi provides a more substantial and satisfying experience.
In summary, while the specific actuation force for the WS Morandi is unavailable, the Gold Red is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces. However, for a stronger and more pronounced typing experience, the WS Morandi's higher bottom out force may be preferred. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and typing requirements.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, we can see that the Gold Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Morandi has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that if you prefer a deeper and more substantial pressing experience, you may want to opt for the Gold Red switch. On the other hand, if you prioritize faster response times and a more lightweight feel, the WS Morandi switch with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. Both switches offer different experiences, catering to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on your personal preference for travel distance.
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 Morandi comes in at $3.90 per 10 switches.
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
The TTC Gold Red linear switch is known for its buttery smooth typing experience. It offers a light-medium level of resistance, resulting in a pleasant and effortless typing sensation. The sound profile of the Gold Red switch is described as thocky, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. It has a low-pitched tone, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. The Gold Red switch strikes a balance between being neutral in terms of actuation force requirement and sound profile, making it suitable for various users and environments.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch combines innovation with visual aesthetics. It features an ultra-smooth linear feel, thanks to its UPE stem that provides a dry, airy, and wispy smoothness. The WS Morandi switch offers a unique typing experience distinct from the creamy feel of factory-lubed switches. With a medium weight and slightly shortened total travel, it strikes a balance between form and function. When typing on the WS Morandi switch, we experience a slightly more muted sound profile, which can be described as low-pitched and subdued. This switch produces a dampened sound that is not completely silent but offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches.
Overall, while the Gold Red and WS Morandi switches have some similarities in terms of their silky feel, the sound profiles differ slightly. The Gold Red switch provides a snappy sound that adds a modest touch of personality to the keyboard, while the WS Morandi switch offers a more muted sound. Both switches offer a smooth and pleasant typing experience, with the Gold Red being more suitable for those who prefer a slightly louder and more defined sound, and the WS Morandi appealing to those who prefer a more subtle and refined sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the specific requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light-medium level of resistance and a buttery smooth typing experience, the TTC Gold Red linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches offer a satisfying thocky sound, which is deep and rich, along with a low-pitched tone. With their mild and subtle feel, they provide a gentle typing experience suitable for shared spaces. The Gold Red switches also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, if you prioritize visual aesthetics and innovation, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch is the way to go. These switches feature a mesmerizing light diffusion effect and a unique dry, airy, and wispy smoothness. The WS Morandi switches offer a slightly more muted sound profile with a low-pitched and thocky tone. With their silky feel, they provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Ultimately, whether you choose the Gold Red or the WS Morandi switches, you can't go wrong as both offer exceptional qualities that enhance your typing experience.
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