Dareu Holly vs. KTT Miaowu
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the KTT Miaowu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, and the KTT Miaowu, a linear switch. The Dareu Holly switch is known for its medium 50g actuation force, offering a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, making it perfect for users seeking a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Miaowu switch boasts enhanced stem stability and smoother keystroke action, thanks to its latest molds and utilization of POK in its stem. While the Holly is categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', 'Neutral', the Miaowu falls under 'Bouncy' and 'Clacky'. Each switch offers its own set of characteristics and benefits, catering to different preferences in typing feel and sound. 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
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Dareu Holly and the KTT Miaowu utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's stiffness enhances the resonant sound quality, making it ideal for users seeking a clear and defined auditory experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for compatibility with RGB lighting, further enhancing the visual appeal of these switches.
In contrast, both keyboards feature a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone compared to the sharper sound produced by polycarbonate. This difference in material composition between the top and bottom housings allows users to experience a diverse range of sound qualities, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key.
While the Dareu Holly and KTT Miaowu share similarities in their choice of housing materials, such as polycarbonate for the top housing, each switch offers a unique sound profile due to their different bottom housing materials. The combination of polycarbonate and nylon in these keyboards allows for a versatile typing experience, catering to individuals with varied preferences for sound and feel. Ultimately, the differentiation in housing materials contributes to the overall sonic experience of each keyboard, providing users with a customizable and immersive typing experience.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the KTT Miaowu linear switch which has an actuation force of 43 grams, making the Holly slightly heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Holly's force is unknown while the Miaowu has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that the Miaowu is heavier in this regard. This means that the Miaowu switch would provide a lighter typing experience with a lower actuation force but a heavier bottom out force, while the Holly switch offers a heavier actuation force with unknown bottom out force. Despite the differences in force levels, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Miaowu switch, while those who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Holly switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Miaowu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Miaowu has a shorter travel distance compared to the Holly. The 4.0mm of the Holly is a more traditional travel distance, providing a bit more depth when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the 3.5mm of the Miaowu is slightly shallower, catering to those who prefer a quicker response time, such as gamers. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, with the Holly offering a bit more depth and the Miaowu allowing for quicker feedback. Ultimately, the best choice would depend on personal preference for travel distance when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
The KTT Miaowu has an MSRP of $4.32 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Miaowu for $3.71.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Holly tactile switch stands out for its unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, creating a balanced and distinctive typing experience. The sound produced by these switches can be described as having a little squeak with a sharp and snappy quality, providing users with a satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the KTT Miaowu linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, offering a crisp and bright noise when pressed. While both switches share the clacky element, the Holly switch adds a chirpy twist to its sound signature, giving users a slightly different acoustic experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Holly tactile switch does not have specific descriptors provided in the information given. In contrast, the KTT Miaowu linear switch is described as offering a bouncy sensation when pressed. Bouncy switches provide a spring-like feedback, giving keys a lively and responsive feel with a noticeable rebound effect. This characteristic can enhance the typing experience by providing users with a tactile and dynamic sensation while typing.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Miaowu linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Holly switch provides a distinctive typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound combination, while the Miaowu switch delivers a clacky sound profile and bouncy feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feedback, users can choose between the two switches to tailor their mechanical keyboard experience to their liking. Additionally, considering factors such as keyboard design and keycaps can further influence the overall typing experience, ensuring users get the desired results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Miaowu linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, catering to a balanced and distinctive typing experience, the Holly switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize enhanced stem stability, smoother keystroke action, and a bouncy feel with a light 50g actuation force, the Miaowu switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your sound and feel preferences to enhance your overall typing experience.
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