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TTC Gold Red vs. Wuque Studio WS Red

An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are numerous options available that cater to different preferences and typing styles. Two such switches that are worth comparing and contrasting are the TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Red, both of which are linear switches. The Gold Red is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience, accompanied by a light to medium level of resistance. This switch offers a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard, without being too ostentatious. In comparison, the WS Red boasts a bouncy and responsive typing experience, thanks to its 22mm double-stage spring. This switch retains a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend and offers a heavier actuation force, adding a touch of weight to each keystroke. This delivers a satisfying and substantial typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

43g

Actuation force

N/A

Bottom-out force

50g

Bottom-out force

67g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.80 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

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

22mm double-stage spring

Housing materials

The TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Red have different housing materials, with the Gold Red featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the WS Red utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate top housing of the Gold Red offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the WS Red's nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound. Additionally, polycarbonate is known for its translucency, making it particularly suitable for switches with RGB lighting. Meanwhile, both switches share the quality of creating a resonant sound profile due to nylon's relatively soft plastic that absorbs more sound. However, the differences in the top and bottom housings mean that the Gold Red's bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will have more influence on the sound when releasing a key.

In terms of sound profile, the polycarbonate top housing of the TTC Gold Red and the nylon top housing of the WS Red offer contrasting experiences. The polycarbonate material enhances the sound by providing a sharper and crisper tone, creating a distinct and clear audio feedback. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the WS Red produces a deeper and fuller sound, resulting in a more rounded and mellow tone. These differences in sound characteristics can greatly impact the overall typing experience, catering to different preferences and typing styles. Furthermore, the polycarbonate housing's translucency in the Gold Red allows for a visually appealing effect when combined with RGB lighting, whereas the WS Red's nylon top housing does not provide this feature.

While the top housings of the TTC Gold Red and the Wuque Studio WS Red offer different sound profiles, their respective nylon bottom housings share similar characteristics. Both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in the bottom housing material suggests that the typing experience on both switches will have comparable sound qualities when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel. However, it's important to note that the impact of the bottom housing on the overall typing experience may differ between the two switches due to the differing qualities of their top housings.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, one noticeable difference is in their actuation and bottom out forces. The TTC Gold Red switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while its bottom out force is slightly higher at 50 grams. On the other hand, the exact actuation force for the Wuque Studio WS Red switch is unknown, but its bottom out force is notably heavier at 67 grams.

The light actuation force of the TTC Gold Red switch allows for a smoother and quicker keystroke activation. This can be beneficial for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience or engage in prolonged typing sessions, such as office workers or gamers. On the contrary, the higher bottom out force ensures a more substantial typing feel, which some users may prefer for a satisfying keystroke feedback.

In terms of weight, the TTC Gold Red switch is considered lighter, which adds to its appeal for those who prioritize long typing durations or gaming marathons. The Wuque Studio WS Red switch, with its higher bottom out force, provides a heavier push feel that may suit individuals seeking a more robust and pronounced typing experience.

Overall, while both switches belong to the linear category, the Wuque Studio WS Red switch offers a heavier typing feel due to its higher bottom out force, whereas the TTC Gold Red switch provides a lighter typing experience with a lower actuation and bottom out force. By considering these factors, users can select the switch that best aligns with their preferences and desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distances of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch differ by 0.2 mm. The Gold Red has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the WS Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Gold Red's 4.0 mm travel distance falls within the range of the most traditional travel distances, offering a balanced depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the WS Red's 3.8 mm travel distance is slightly shorter, which is often preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. Choosing the switch with the shorter travel distance can result in increased responsiveness. However, it's important to consider personal preferences, as some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. In that case, opting for the switch with the longer travel distance, the Gold Red, may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial depth when typing or gaming. Overall, the choice between these two switches depends on individual preferences for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming 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 Wuque Studio WS Red comes in at $3.50 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

In terms of sound, the Gold Red linear switch is known for producing a thocky sound when pressed, offering a deep and satisfying tone. It has a low-pitched sound profile, giving it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The sound profile of the Gold Red can be considered neutral, making it suitable for various purposes and experience levels. On the other hand, the sound profile of the WS Red linear switch is unknown, so it is difficult to compare it directly. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel, the Gold Red linear switch offers a mild and gentle typing experience. Its characteristics stand in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. The switch is described as silky, meaning it provides an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Furthermore, it has a subtle resistance that maintains a light typing feel, making it suitable for shared spaces. The Gold Red switch can also be considered polished, as it has a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved through either the materials used or factory lubrication, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, the feel qualities of the WS Red linear switch are not provided, so a direct comparison cannot be made.

Overall, the Gold Red linear switch offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. Its snappy sound profile adds a touch of personality without being too ostentatious. It produces a thocky and low-pitched sound, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The feel of the Gold Red switch is described as mild, silky, subtle, and polished, providing a gentle and smooth typing experience while maintaining a light typing feel. The WS Red linear switch, on the other hand, lacks specific information regarding sound and feel qualities, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison. However, considering the similar linear switch design, it is likely that the WS Red switch would offer a comparable typing experience in terms of sound and feel.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a light and smooth typing experience with a touch of personality, the TTC Gold Red linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its light resistance and buttery smooth feel, these switches provide a pleasant typing experience. They also produce a thocky, low-pitched sound that is neutral, making them suitable for various environments and preferences. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch would be more suitable. With its double-stage spring and heavier bottom out force, these switches offer a satisfying and substantial typing feel. Although the sound profile of the WS Red is not described, it retains a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.

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