TTC Gold Silver vs. HMX Gravel

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Silver and the HMX Gravel both offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The TTC Gold Silver is renowned for its rapid responsiveness and smooth actuation, thanks to its shortened travel distance, providing a solid bottom-out that delivers a gratifying tactile feedback with each keystroke. This switch is designed for those who value speed and precision, making it ideal for gamers or typists who need quick, decisive actions. On the other hand, the HMX Gravel excels in providing a refined and effortlessly smooth typing experience, featuring a medium-light actuation force that appeals to users looking for a more leisurely feel while still maintaining responsiveness. While the Gold Silver is celebrated for its crisp and thocky sound signature, the Gravel leans towards a softer, more subdued operation that can enhance longer typing sessions with comfort. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you prioritize speed and tactile feedback or smoothness and ease of use. 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 Silver Linear

HMX Gravel Linear

$6.11

$2.90 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The TTC Gold Silver and HMX Gravel both feature polycarbonate as their material for the top housing, leading to similar acoustic characteristics in sound profile and aesthetic design. Polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, is responsible for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. Both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, which enhances RGB lighting effects, making them ideal for users who prioritize visual appeal in their setup. This shared top housing material ensures that users of both switches can expect a resonant and vibrant auditory experience while enjoying the aesthetic advantages that come with clear switch housings.

In contrast, the bottom housing of the TTC Gold Silver and the HMX Gravel is made from nylon, a classic choice for mechanical switches due to its unique acoustic properties. Nylon is recognized for its softer profile compared to polycarbonate, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. This softness allows nylon to absorb more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound profile that complements the sharper tonal qualities generated by the polycarbonate top housing. Because both switches employ nylon for their bottom housings, users can expect a consistent tactile experience characterized by a satisfying sound when bottoming out the keys, regardless of their choice between the Gold Silver and Gravel.

Overall, while the TTC Gold Silver and HMX Gravel use different materials for their respective bottom housings, the dual-material design harmonizes their acoustic properties. Users will experience the crispness and sharpness of the polycarbonate top housing alongside the rich, rounded tones of the nylon bottom housing. This combination ensures a balanced sound profile, with the stiffer top contributing to the keypress release and the softer bottom enhancing the key bottoming-out experience. The careful selection of materials in both switches results in similar auditory outcomes, allowing users to enjoy the fresh qualities of each while appreciating the benefits their contrasting materials provide.

Weight

The TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch both feature an identical actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that they require the same amount of pressure to register a keystroke. This similarity suggests that users will experience a comparable sensitivity and responsiveness during typing or gaming with either switch. However, the bottom out force differs significantly between the two. The Gravel switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which means it provides a slightly heavier feel when the key is fully depressed. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Gold Silver is unknown. Consequently, while both switches offer the same actuation force, the Gravel's measurable bottom out force contributes to a potentially more substantial typing experience, favored by those who prefer a heavier switch. Ultimately, with the actuation force the same, users looking for a lighter typing experience should consider the Gold Silver, whereas those seeking a more robust feel may lean toward the HMX Gravel.

Travel distance

The TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, indicating that the key feel when pressing down on either switch will be identical in this regard. With both switches sharing the same travel distance, users can expect a similar tactile experience when typing or gaming. This uniformity in travel distance means that, regardless of the switch type chosen, both will provide a consistent actuation feel, catering to those who prefer a balanced linear response in their keyboard experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Silver switch has a distinct, thocky quality, producing deep, rich tones that strike a satisfying balance between a soft "knock" and a more bass-heavy resonance. It's characterized as low-pitched, offering a mellow sound that doesn't overpower but is certainly noticeable, making it versatile for both home and office use. In contrast, the auditory characteristics of the HMX Gravel linear switch remain unspecified, leaving an unknown element regarding how expressive or muted its sound profile might be. Thus, the Gold Silver provides a fuller auditory experience which may appeal to users who enjoy a deeper sound signature in their keystrokes.

When considering the feel, the TTC Gold Silver switches are described as polished and silky, providing an incredibly smooth typing experience combined with a gentle resistance. This mild and subtle nature ensures that users encounter reduced friction and an effortless key travel that is also approachable for most typists. The HMX Gravel, however, lacks detailed descriptions regarding its tactile qualities, leaving it unclear how it compares in terms of smoothness or overall typing comfort. Thus, while the TTC Gold Silver delivers a highly refined tactile experience, the Gravel's qualities remain a mystery.

In summary, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch is well-regarded for its rapid responsiveness, thocky sound profile, and exceptionally smooth feel, making it a solid choice for those seeking a refined typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Gravel's auditory and tactile characteristics remain undefined, which means you may not be able to anticipate its performance as clearly. If sound and typing feel are critical to your keyboard experience, the TTC Gold Silver stands out as a choice that guarantees satisfaction, while the Gravel offers an uncertain yet potentially rewarding alternative.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing preferences and the environments in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you prioritize rapid responsiveness and a smooth, enjoyable typing experience with a tangible feel at the bottom-out point, the TTC Gold Silver is an excellent choice, especially for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks. Its thocky sound profile and polished feel make it suitable for quieter environments or when you want to make a statement with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prefer a more understated, smooth typing experience, likely to be used for longer typing sessions or in shared spaces, the HMX Gravel enhances comfort with its lighter actuation force and refined touch. Its smoothness allows for less fatigue during extended use, making it ideal if you spend long hours working or gaming. Ultimately, consider your needs for sound, feel, and typing dynamics when making your choice, as both switches cater to different styles and environments effectively.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Silver Linear

$6.11

$2.90 per 10

Learn more

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more