KTT Hyacinth vs. Gateron Mars

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Hyacinth and Gateron Mars stand out as exceptional linear options, each with its own unique characteristics. The KTT Hyacinth is celebrated for its thoughtful design, featuring a 3.5mm travel distance that minimizes the jarring experience of bottoming out and ensuring a more comfortable typing experience. Its single-stage elongated spring offers a consistent force curve, delivering a neutral and silky feel with subtle auditory feedback — ideal for users seeking a balanced performance. In contrast, the Gateron Mars switches present a fresh take on linear switches with their innovative POK stem and a housing crafted from a blend of Nylon and POM, promoting a smooth and reliable keypress. While both switches excel in delivering a seamless typing experience, choosing the right one often depends on personal preferences for 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

KTT Hyacinth Linear

Gateron Mars Linear

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Hyacinth and Gateron Mars switches, it is clear that they employ different types of plastics that influence their sound profiles and overall typing experience. The Hyacinth features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This distinct sound quality is beneficial for users who prefer a more bright auditory feedback when typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for RGB lighting, allowing the illumination to come through effectively. In contrast, the Mars utilizes a nylon top housing that absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper, fuller audio profile with a more muted quality. The softness of nylon creates an environment that is less resonant, yielding a typing experience that many users find warm and rich.

When examining the bottom housings, the differences in materials continue to play a significant role in shaping the switches' performance and sound. The KTT Hyacinth incorporates a nylon bottom housing, consistent with its top section, which thus contributes to a balanced, deep sound profile. This matching pair allows for a consistent auditory experience throughout the keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars features a POM bottom housing, known for its unique sound characteristics that lean towards a deeper and more muted profile. This combination of POM and nylon in the Mars emphasizes a distinctive sound quality that diverges from the uniformity seen in the Hyacinth. While both the nylon bottom housing in the Hyacinth and the POM bottom housing in the Mars can deliver a rich sound experience, their differences create a notable variance in the overall typing feedback.

Ultimately, the KTT Hyacinth and Gateron Mars switches showcase how diverse materials can impact not just the sound but also the tactile quality of typing. With the different top and bottom housing materials, each switch offers unique auditory experiences conducive to their respective designs. If one were to use a configuration that included both Hyacinth and Mars switches on the same keyboard, the user would notice a split in sound profiles—higher-pitched and crisper sounds from the Hyacinth's polycarbonate housing versus the deeper, rounder tones from the Mars's nylon and POM materials. This blend of materials, even when they aren't the same, provides the potential for a rich and varied typing environment, determined largely by the characteristics of their respective housings.

Weight

The KTT Hyacinth and Gateron Mars linear switches exhibit similarities and differences in their actuation forces and bottom out forces. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in the effort required to trigger a keystroke. This similarity means users of both switches will experience a similar tactile response in terms of pressing down to register a keypress, which is beneficial for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out forces differ markedly: the Hyacinth's bottom out force is 56 grams, indicating a firmer feel at the end of the keystroke, while the Gateron Mars has an unavailable bottom out force, leaving its characteristics open to interpretation. As a result, the KTT Hyacinth can be classified as the heavier switch overall due to its defined bottom out force, while the Mars remains ambiguous in this regard. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards either switch for the actuation, but the Hyacinth's bottom out may feel more substantial when pressed all the way down, catering to those who enjoy a stronger push feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch, a noticeable difference emerges. The Hyacinth has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Mars, which boasts a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference, though minimal, suggests that the Mars switch may provide a slightly deeper feel, which could be preferred by users who appreciate a more pronounced keystroke. Gamers, on the other hand, might lean towards the Hyacinth for its quicker response time due to the shorter travel distance. Ultimately, your choice may depend on personal preference: if you favor a snappier, more responsive experience, the Hyacinth is the better option, while if you enjoy a bit more depth in your keystrokes, the Mars could be the switch for you.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch presents a neutral auditory profile, characterized by a moderate actuation force and sound level. This makes it a versatile choice for both beginners and experienced users alike, ensuring it can comfortably fit into various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. The sound signature is balanced, neither overwhelming nor too muted, which complements its design intent of user comfort. In contrast, the sound profile of the Gateron Mars switch is unknown, which means that without additional information, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. However, since sound can also be influenced by keyboards and keycaps, both switches might ultimately produce comparable auditory experiences depending on these external factors.

Regarding feel, the KTT Hyacinth excels with its silky texture, offering a remarkably smooth typing experience that minimizes any resistance during key presses and releases. It also features a subtle resistance, delivering a light and comfortable feel that is gentle yet satisfying while typing. This tactile feedback, combined with a design that avoids harsh bottoming out, enhances user comfort significantly. However, there is no information available about the feel of the Gateron Mars switch, leaving a gap in the comparative analysis. Without insights into its tactile characteristics, it's hard to gauge whether it might match or differ from the Hyacinth's smooth typing experience.

In summary, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch offers a well-rounded package with its neutral sound profile and silky, subtle feel, making it an excellent option for users seeking comfort in their typing experience. While the Gateron Mars switch has not been assessed for its sound and feel characteristics, the knowledge that the Hyacinth incorporates a carefully designed structure to enhance user experience may help guide potential users toward similar experiences, depending on the design of the Mars. When choosing between the two, consider that the available details on the Hyacinth showcase its balanced approach, while the Gateron Mars remains an unknown in certain qualities.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and environment. If you appreciate a switch that strikes a balance between tactile feedback and auditory experience, the KTT Hyacinth may be your ideal choice. Its medium-light 56-gram bottom-out force and 3.5mm travel distance provide a smooth and comfortable typing experience while minimizing the discomfort of bottoming out. The silky feel and subtle resistance make it a great option for shared workspaces or home use, allowing you to type without disturbing others. On the other hand, if you are drawn to innovative designs and unique materials, then the Gateron Mars could be worth exploring. Although specific details about its bottom-out force and feel are unavailable, its distinctive POK stem and Nylon-POM housing suggest a focus on longevity and a potentially different tactile experience. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing style, whether you prioritize comfort and stability with the Hyacinth or seek the novelty of the Mars.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Hyacinth Linear

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Mars Linear

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more