KTT Hyacinth vs. Haimu Orange Sea
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Haimu Orange Sea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, users often seek the perfect balance of feel, sound, and performance to elevate their typing experience. Among the many options available, the KTT Hyacinth and Haimu Orange Sea switches stand out as intriguing choices, each with its own unique characteristics. The KTT Hyacinth is celebrated for its innovative design, featuring a 3.5mm travel distance that mitigates the hard bottoming-out sensation typical of longer-stemmed switches, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. Its single-stage elongated spring offers a consistent force curve, making the Hyacinth a great option for those who prioritize a smooth and balanced feel. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switches are lauded for their impeccably smooth typing experience and neutral sound signature, catering to users who prefer a quieter, yet satisfying keystroke. Both switches are linear in nature, appealing to enthusiasts looking for a seamless typing motion without tactile bumps. 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
45g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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
22mm spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and Haimu Orange Sea keyboards both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which plays a crucial role in the auditory characteristics of the switches. The use of polycarbonate in both models leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance. Furthermore, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is aesthetically pleasing and particularly beneficial for those who favor RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant illumination to shine through. The similarities in their top housing materials indicate that users can expect comparable auditory performances when it comes to the sharpness and brightness of the sound produced by each keyboard.
In contrast, the KTT Hyacinth and Haimu Orange Sea differ in their bottom housing materials. Both keyboards utilize nylon for their bottom housings, a material known for its significant impact on the sound profile of the switches. Unlike the polycarbonate top housing, nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, which leads to a deeper and fuller auditory experience. This material choice enhances the switch's bottom-out sound, adding warmth and roundness to the typing experience. Since both switches share this nylon bottom housing, users can anticipate a consistent sound quality regarding the felt impact and tonal richness during key presses, thus uniting their experiences across different models.
The overall performance of both keyboards showcases how the interaction between their top and bottom housing materials affects the typing experience. While the polycarbonate top housing of both models contributes to the higher frequencies in the sound profile, the nylon bottom housing complements it by creating a fuller, more rounded sound. Consequently, users will experience a well-balanced auditory output that leverages the unique qualities of each material. Ultimately, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in these keyboards yields a versatile auditory performance, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy a range of sounds from crisp clarity to deep resonance during their typing sessions.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, there are notable differences in both their actuation and bottom out forces. The Hyacinth features a medium-light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, while the Orange Sea is lighter with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This means that those who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing sessions or gaming may find the Orange Sea to be more suitable, as it requires less effort to activate. In contrast, the Hyacinth's heavier forces might appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces of the two switches differ, the Orange Sea is distinctly lighter than the Hyacinth, providing a different tactile experience for users.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, we find notable differences. The Hyacinth features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Orange Sea has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Hyacinth provides a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to users looking for quicker response times, particularly favored by gamers. On the other hand, the Orange Sea, with its longer travel distance, offers a more pronounced feedback that some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches depends on individual preference: if you value speed and responsiveness, the Hyacinth would be the better option, whereas if you lean towards deeper keystrokes, the Orange Sea would be more suitable.
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 Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79 per 10 switches.
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 KTT Hyacinth linear switch offers a neutral sound signature, characterized by a moderate actuation force requirement and a balanced auditory profile. This makes it versatile for various environments, whether at home or in the office, and suitable for users of all experience levels. The Orange Sea, on the other hand, lacks a defined sound description, leaving its auditory qualities less specified. However, given that the Orange Sea is noted for its smoothness, one might infer that it also likely presents a sound profile that complements its tactile experience, perhaps leaning towards neutrality as well.
Regarding the feel, the Hyacinth excels with a silky typing experience, noted for its exceptional smoothness, allowing for effortless key presses. Additionally, it features a subtle resistance that maintains a light feel during typing while minimizing any unwanted noise, making it ideal for shared spaces. The Orange Sea does not have specified tactile qualities, making it difficult to offer a direct comparison in this regard. However, its description as impeccably smooth suggests it may provide a similarly pleasurable typing experience.
In summary, while the KTT Hyacinth linear switch stands out with its neutral sound profile and an exceptional silky feel combined with subtle resistance, the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch presents an unknown auditory quality but is celebrated for its smooth typing feel. If you're seeking a smooth and balanced typing experience, you may find satisfaction with either option, but the Hyacinth offers more definitive qualities to consider, especially in sound and tactile feedback. Ultimately, your choice may hinge on personal preferences regarding sound and feel in the mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, it's essential to consider your typing preferences and environment. If you favor a slightly heavier key feel and appreciate the benefits of a low travel distance that mitigates the discomfort of bottoming out, the Hyacinth might be the ideal choice for you. Its silky typing experience combined with a neutral sound profile makes it suitable for both home and work settings, while the unique single-stage spring design ensures a consistent force throughout your keystrokes. On the other hand, if you prefer an ultra-smooth and lighter actuation for quicker response times, then the Orange Sea is likely the right switch for you. Its impressive smoothness can enhance your typing speed and comfort, and its neutral sound signature makes it a great option for shared environments where you want to maintain a low-key auditory presence. Ultimately, both switches provide a delightful typing experience, so your choice should hinge on your specific tactile preference and the settings in which you’ll be using them.
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