TTC Gold Silver vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the TTC Gold Silver and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offer two distinct yet appealing options for typists seeking performance and comfort. The TTC Gold Silver is celebrated for its rapid responsiveness, characterized by a shortened travel distance that culminates in a solid bottom-out, providing both precision and an engaging auditory experience with its low-pitched, thocky sound signature. This switch caters to those who thrive on speed and enjoy a smooth, fluid typing experience. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura stands out for its incredibly quiet operation, making it ideal for environments where noise reduction is paramount. Emphasizing a balanced 53g bottom-out force, it delivers a light yet satisfying keystroke, perfect for users who prefer a gentler touch. Both switches have their unique strengths, appealing to different typing preferences and environments. 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 Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$6.11

$2.90 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, one noteworthy difference lies in the choice of materials used for the top housings. The TTC Gold Silver utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, known for its rigidity and translucency, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This property makes polycarbonate an exceptional choice for enhancing RGB lighting effects, allowing the light to shine through more prominently. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g opts for nylon as its top housing material. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and deeper sound profile that is typically associated with a more muted acoustic experience. While both materials have their merits, the TTC Gold Silver is more likely to appeal to users seeking clarity and brightness in their typing sound, whereas the Silent Sakura caters to those who prefer a fuller, softer sound.

In terms of bottom housings, the situation reverses, with the TTC Gold Silver featuring a nylon bottom housing that complements its polycarbonate top. This dual use of nylon provides a deeper and more absorbent sound profile, contributing to a more rounded acoustic response that can balance out the sharpness of the polycarbonate top. Conversely, the Silent Sakura employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, introducing crisper and clearer acoustics to its overall tone. This combination strengthens the switch's inherent sound characteristics, enhancing both the keypress and bottom-out sounds. The use of different materials for the bottom housings offers a contrasting auditory experience: the Gold Silver's nylon bottom softens the sound, while the Silent Sakura’s polycarbonate bottom sharpens it.

Despite their differing materials, both switches can potentially yield comparable results in terms of typing feel and acoustic performance due to their unique combinations of housing materials. For instance, when the top and bottom housings are combined, the qualities unique to each material affect the overall acoustic profile. The nylon in the Gold Silver’s bottom housing provides a rounded sound, which can soften the sharper tones from the polycarbonate top. Conversely, the combination of a polycarbonate bottom with a nylon top in the Silent Sakura creates a blend of both worlds. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct auditory experiences, but they share an underlying principle of using different material properties to create a well-rounded typing experience—a synergy of sound and feel that can resonate with diverse typing preferences.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, both have an actuation force of 45 grams, which means they will provide a similar feel when it comes to triggering keystrokes. This consistency allows users to experience similar ease of actuation, making them suitable for extended typing sessions. However, the Silent Sakura switch has a bottom out force of 53 grams, indicating that it requires a bit more force to fully press down compared to the TTC Gold Silver, for which the bottom out force is unknown. Consequently, the Silent Sakura is generally considered to be heavier, offering a more substantial feel at the bottom of the key press. This can cater to those who prefer a firmer typing experience, while the Gold Silver switch may appeal to users who favor a lighter touch overall.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, it is evident that there is a notable difference between the two. The Gold Silver has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Silent Sakura features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the TTC Gold Silver the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, while the HMX Silent Sakura’s longer travel may be more suitable for those who appreciate a more pronounced feel and depth in their keystrokes. Thus, if you prefer a more responsive typing experience with a less pronounced bottom-out feel, the Gold Silver is the better choice; conversely, if hearty depth and a traditional feel are what you desire, the Silent Sakura would be the more fitting option.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The TTC Gold Silver linear switch boasts a resonant sound profile that is characterized by a deep, thocky tone, creating a satisfying auditory feedback during typing. This low-pitched sound provides a bass-heavy and mellow experience, ensuring that each keystroke registers with a pronounced yet pleasant thud. The neutrality of its sound also allows it to be suitable in various environments, whether at home or in a workspace, catering to both novice and seasoned typists alike. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g switch is engineered for a whisper-quiet typing experience, enhancing discretion while typing. The description of it resembling gentle raindrops suggests that it produces a softer sound that is vastly different from the thocky nature of the Gold Silver, rendering it ideal for those who seek a subdued auditory experience.

When it comes to feel, the Gold Silver stands out with its polished and silky characteristics, ensuring an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal friction during key travel. This results in a rich, mild touch that is approachable for most users, combining a satisfying tactile response with subtle resistance. The refined finish contributes to the overall fluidity of interaction, making typing feel effortless and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 53g, while providing a light yet satisfying keystroke, does not have specific descriptors for its feel provided in the current information. However, given its focus on a gentle typing experience, one might expect a smooth action akin to the Gold Silver, although the exact nuances remain unclear without additional detail.

Overall, choosing between the TTC Gold Silver and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g boils down to your priorities in sound and feel. If you favor dynamic, audible feedback and a supremely smooth action, the Gold Silver will satisfy those desires with its thocky sound and polished feel. Conversely, if you lean towards a quiet typing experience while still enjoying satisfactory keystrokes, the Silent Sakura—though less documented in terms of tactile feel—hints at a noteworthy performance. Ultimately, both switches provide distinct experiences that cater to different typing preferences, so selection will depend largely on the environment you intend to use them in and your sound sensitivity.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch will ultimately depend on your specific typing preferences and environment. If you desire a switch that offers rapid responsiveness with a smooth, polished feel and a low-pitched, thocky sound signature, the TTC Gold Silver is your ideal choice. It caters well to gamers or fast typists who thrive on precision and appreciate the tactile satisfaction of decisive keystrokes. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quieter, more subdued experience without sacrificing performance, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g should be your go-to option. Its medium-light 53g bottom-out force ensures a satisfying keystroke while maintaining a whisper-quiet sound profile, perfect for shared workspaces or late-night typing sessions. By understanding the distinctive characteristics and feel of each switch, you can select one that best fits your typing style and usage scenario, enhancing your overall mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Silver Linear

$6.11

$2.90 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more