KTT Grapefruit vs. HMX SU

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the subtleties between options can significantly impact your typing experience. The KTT Grapefruit switches stand out with their soft and light feel, offering a unique tactile sensation complemented by a low-pitched and polished sound profile. This makes them ideal for those who prefer a more delicate typing experience without compromising too much on auditory feedback. In contrast, the HMX SU switches feature a robust PA12 housing and a T5 stem, delivering a subtly deeper sound profile that appeals to users who enjoy a bit more acoustical presence while typing. Both switches are linear, meaning they provide smooth keystrokes without tactile bumps; yet, their distinct sound profiles and tactile characteristics can cater to different preferences—whether you value a light touch or a more substantial auditory feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

KTT Grapefruit Linear

HMX SU Linear

$3.41 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Grapefruit and the HMX SU switches present a distinct contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly influences their sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Grapefruit utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer construction, which produces a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This quality makes polycarbonate particularly suitable for switches that employ RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual effects of lighting through the switch. In contrast, the HMX SU features a nylon top housing, which is softer and absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a deeper, fuller, and more rounded sound. This fundamental difference in housing materials leads to notable disparities in auditory feedback when typing, with the Grapefruit providing a crisper sound and the SU eliciting a warmer tone.

When examining the bottom housing, both the KTT Grapefruit and HMX SU employ nylon. This consistency in bottom housing material contributes to a shared characteristic: both switches yield a deeper and fuller sound profile when compared to their top housing counterparts. The impact of the nylon bottom is pronounced as it absorbs more sound, ensuring a more muted and pleasant typing experience. The resonance created by this material enhances the tactile feedback of the switches, promoting a satisfying bottom-out feel that is essential for typists and gamers alike. Despite the contrasting top housing materials, this similarity in the nylon bottom housing means that both switches deliver a complementing auditory experience, rooted in the richer tones produced by nylon.

Ultimately, while the KTT Grapefruit and HMX SU switches reflect divergence in their sound outputs thanks to their different top housing materials, they share a fundamental trait through their use of nylon for the bottom housing. This alignment allows users to achieve satisfying performance regardless of the switch choice, as both benefit from the sound-dampening qualities of nylon. The combined effect of a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom in the Grapefruit versus the all-nylon construction of the SU presents a versatile landscape of sound qualities. Thus, while they provide distinct auditory experiences on the surface, the integrated character afforded by the nylon bottom ensures a consistent and enjoyable typing experience across the board.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Grapefruit linear switch to the HMX SU linear switch, both switches exhibit the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning users will experience similar keystroke triggers and responsiveness when typing or gaming. However, the bottom out forces differ: the Grapefruit switch has a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the SU switch has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This distinction indicates that the KTT Grapefruit provides a slightly firmer feel upon fully depressing the key, making it better suited for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the HMX SU, being lighter both in actuation and bottom out forces, may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming, appealing to those who favor a gentler touch. Overall, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Grapefruit feels heavier at the bottom, which could influence user preference based on their typing style.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, it is clear that the Grapefruit offers a longer travel distance at 4 mm, while the SU has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This 0.4 mm difference may seem minor, but it can significantly affect the typing and gaming experience. The shorter travel distance of the HMX SU is ideal for users seeking quick responsiveness, which is often favored by gamers for faster reaction times. On the other hand, the KTT Grapefruit, with its more substantial 4 mm travel distance, provides a deeper feedback that some users might prefer for a more tactile and satisfying typing experience. Consequently, while both switches cater to different preferences—one emphasizing speed and the other depth—the choice ultimately depends on whether the user prioritizes swift key presses or a more pronounced feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The KTT Grapefruit linear switch is known for its distinctive deep sound profile, which is characterized as low-pitched and neutral. This gives it a mellow tone that can be described as baritone, creating a more subdued auditory experience compared to higher-pitched switches. The SU linear switch also features a relatively deep sound profile, though the specifics regarding its tonality aren't as detailed. It’s important to note that the overall sound can still be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycap choices, meaning both switches have the potential to produce similarly pleasing auditory experiences when paired with the right components.

When it comes to the feel, the KTT Grapefruit switches stand out with their polished finish, which results in a notably smooth and refined typing experience. This sleek feel is attributed to either the materials used or factory lubing that minimizes friction and enhances key travel. On the other hand, the specific feel qualities of the HMX SU switches remain unknown, making it difficult to make a direct comparison. However, one might anticipate a good overall feel if built with quality materials, even without specific descriptors.

In conclusion, both the KTT Grapefruit and HMX SU linear switches exhibit unique sound profiles, with the former being characterized by a mellow, low-pitched tone and the latter having a relatively deep sound. When it comes to feel, the Grapefruit provides a smooth typing experience, while the SU lacks detailed descriptions. Despite the gaps in the SU’s characteristics, it's reasonable to expect that it may yield a satisfactory experience similar to the Grapefruit, especially considering their shared linear nature. Overall, choosing between these switches would largely depend on personal preference regarding sound and the known qualities of feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a slightly firmer feel with a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a low-pitched sound profile that's both polished and refined, the Grapefruit is likely the better choice for you. This switch is ideal if you appreciate a smooth typing experience and often find yourself typing for extended periods, as its characteristics can enhance comfort. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter actuation force and a subtly deeper sound profile, you might opt for the HMX SU. This switch is excellent for those who appreciate efficiency and a lighter touch, making it suitable for fast typists or gamers who need quick actuation without a significant force requirement. In essence, consider your typing habits and the sound and feel you desire to determine which switch will best serve you in your mechanical keyboard journey.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Grapefruit Linear

$3.41 per 10

Learn more

HMX SU Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more