TTC Gold Silver vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Silver and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Gold Silver and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The TTC Gold Silver is renowned for its rapid responsiveness, providing a decisive and solid bottom-out with each keystroke. Its smooth journey from press to bottoming out is accompanied by a resonant sound signature, creating a seamless blend of speed, sound, and fluidity. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon showcases a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Gold Silver offers a polished and thocky typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a low-pitched and mild sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
NPI
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon are quite similar, with both featuring polycarbonate top housings that create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine through for a visually appealing effect. Additionally, both switches utilize nylon bottom housings, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound.
One key difference between the Gold Silver and Sea Salt Lemon is their housing materials for the bottom housing. The Gold Silver features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a duller and rounder sound compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate bottom housing. This variance will impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches when pressed, with the Gold Silver offering a softer and more absorbent experience. However, both switches maintain a clear and resonant sound profile overall, thanks to their combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials.
Overall, the housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon play a crucial role in determining the sound profile and feel of the switches. While both switches share the benefits of using polycarbonate for the top housing, their differing bottom housing materials provide unique characteristics to each switch. Whether you prefer a sharper sound profile with the Gold Silver's nylon bottom housing or a crisper sound with the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate bottom housing, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience tailored to individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is evident that both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Gold Silver switch is unknown, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it slightly heavier. This means that while both switches require the same amount of force to register a keystroke, the Sea Salt Lemon switch will provide a slightly stronger resistance when fully pressed down. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gold Silver switch may be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch would be more suitable for those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Gold Silver switch. The Gold Silver switch falls on the shorter end of the traditional travel distance spectrum, which can be favored by gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a slightly deeper key press, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Silver has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Silver for $2.90.
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 TTC Gold Silver switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and satisfying tone with a moderate actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch also offers a low-pitched sound profile with a neutral actuation force requirement, making it suitable for various typing environments. Both switches are likely to produce a pleasant sound when pressed, with the Gold Silver potentially offering a deeper and richer thocky sound compared to the Sea Salt Lemon.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Gold Silver switch is described as polished, silky, mild, and subtle, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a gentle resistance and quiet sound signature. In comparison, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is characterized as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches prioritize smoothness and comfort, with the Gold Silver potentially offering a more refined and subtle feel compared to the Sea Salt Lemon.
Overall, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch stands out for its rapid responsiveness, precise bottom-out, and resonant sound signature, making it a solid choice for users seeking speed and fluidity in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, suitable for those looking for a comfortable and versatile typing feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide reliable performance and can deliver satisfying results for newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you prioritize rapid responsiveness, a decisive bottom-out, and a resonant sound signature, the TTC Gold Silver would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a progressive spring and dry-lube design, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon may be more suited to your taste. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your individual preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and overall typing experience. Choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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