KTT Hyacinth vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Hyacinth and the SP-Star Meteor White are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, but they offer distinct features and experiences. The Hyacinth switch sets itself apart with its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to provide a balanced combination of tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. It breaks away from the common hard bottoming-out experience associated with longer stemmed switches, opting for a single-stage elongated spring for a more consistent force curve. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch is known for its subdued and gentle linear experience. It offers an easy and smooth keystroke, accompanied by a soft pitter-patter sound profile. Both switches fall under the neutral category, but the Hyacinth emphasizes on being silky and subtle while the Meteor White leans towards being mild, thocky, and polished. These general pointers give a glimpse into the unique qualities of each switch. However, let's delve deeper beyond generalities to better decide on the best switch for your specific preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and the SP-Star Meteor White differ in their housing materials, with the Hyacinth featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Meteor White utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings. The choice of housing materials greatly influences the sound profile of the switches. The Hyacinth's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. In contrast, the Meteor White's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the housing materials for the top and bottom differ between the two switches, both the Hyacinth's nylon bottom housing and the Meteor White's nylon bottom housing elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile, given the similar properties of nylon. Therefore, users can expect a more rounded sound when typing on either of these switches due to the sound absorption characteristics of nylon.
Aside from sound profile, the choice of housing materials also has aesthetic implications. The Hyacinth's polycarbonate top housing offers translucency, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. This feature allows for vibrant and visually appealing lighting effects. On the other hand, the Meteor White's nylon top housing does not offer translucency, making it more suitable for users who prefer a simpler and more understated appearance for their switches. This contrast in aesthetics reflects the different preferences and design choices of switch users.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the bottom housing material plays a significant role. Both the Hyacinth's nylon bottom housing and the Meteor White's nylon bottom housing contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, which is the result of nylon's softer plastic properties and its ability to absorb sound. This impact is most noticeable during the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. In contrast, the top housing material primarily influences the sound produced when releasing a key. The stiffer plastic of the Hyacinth's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper sound, whereas the nylon top housing of the Meteor White produces a duller sound. Understanding these differences allows users to choose a switch that matches their preferences for both typing experience and sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Starting with the actuation force, the Hyacinth requires 45 grams of force, while the exact force for the Meteor White is not provided. However, both switches fall under the category of medium-light actuation force.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Hyacinth requires 56 grams of force to fully press down, whereas the Meteor White has a bottom out force of 57 grams. These forces are quite similar, making both switches suitable for those who prefer a medium-light bottoming out experience.
Considering the weight aspect, the lighter weight of a switch is often preferred for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions. This enables users to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. Therefore, both the Hyacinth and Meteor White switches, with their medium-light actuation forces, would be suitable for such scenarios.
However, some individuals prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. In this case, they might opt for switches with heavier forces. Unfortunately, the specific actuation force for the Meteor White switch is not provided, so it is uncertain if it can offer a heavier push feel compared to the Hyacinth.
In conclusion, the actuation forces of the KTT Hyacinth and SP-Star Meteor White switches are quite similar, falling under the medium-light category. They both offer a comfortable typing experience and would be suitable for prolonged use. However, if a heavier push feel is desired, the Hyacinth might be a better choice since its bottom out force is slightly higher at 56 grams compared to the 57 grams of the Meteor White switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, it is evident that there is a slight difference in their distances. The Hyacinth has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the more traditional 4 mm travel distance of the Meteor White. In today's market, shorter travel distances are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. Therefore, if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Hyacinth with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find short travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a deeper key press sensation, the Meteor White with its longer travel distance may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on the user's personal preferences and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch stands out for its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which helps avoid a hard bottoming-out experience commonly associated with switches with longer stems. By prioritizing tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the Hyacinth offers a balanced sound profile that is described as neutral. This makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether they plan to use it at home or work. Additionally, the Hyacinth features a single-stage elongated spring, which provides a consistent force curve for a more consistent typing experience. In terms of feel, the Hyacinth offers a silky and subtle typing experience. It provides exceptional smoothness and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys, leading to a highly satisfying typing feel.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is best-known for its subdued characteristics. It offers a gentle typing experience with a light typing feel. The Meteor White switch is easy to push and provides a soft and gentle sound profile, akin to a gentle pitter-patter. Its overall sound profile is described as both neutral and thocky. The thocky sound refers to a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when the key is pressed and released. This switch offers a safe middle-ground typing experience suitable for most users and shared spaces. It provides a mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the KTT Hyacinth and SP-Star Meteor White linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Hyacinth emphasizes a neutral sound profile while providing a silky and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Meteor White offers a subdued and gentle sound profile with a mild and polished feel. Overall, both switches aim to provide a comfortable and satisfying typing experience, albeit with different sound and feel characteristics. Depending on individual preferences, either switch can offer similar results in terms of neutrality and user satisfaction.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force, both the KTT Hyacinth and SP-Star Meteor White are great options.
The Hyacinth stands out for its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which ensures a comfortable typing experience without the hard bottoming-out sensation. Additionally, its use of a single-stage elongated spring contributes to a more consistent force curve. This switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various settings, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the keyboard at home or work. The feel of the Hyacinth switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience and minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. It also has a subtle resistance and a sound signature that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
On the other hand, the Meteor White switch offers a subdued experience with a gentle linear feel. It has a similar medium-light bottom out force as the Hyacinth. Its sound profile is described as neutral, like the Hyacinth, but it also has a thocky option available, which produces a deep and satisfying sound. The Meteor White switch has a mild typing experience, providing a gentle feel that is approachable to most users. Additionally, its polished finish ensures a sleek and smooth typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, when choosing between the KTT Hyacinth and SP-Star Meteor White switches, consider your preferences for travel distance, force curve consistency, sound profile, and typing feel. Both switches provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, but the Hyacinth focuses on a design that minimizes bottoming-out and offers a subtle and silky feel, while the Meteor White offers a subdued and polished experience with the option for a thocky sound.
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