KTT Hyacinth vs. Outemu Peach
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Peach both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Hyacinth is a linear switch that stands out for its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which helps avoid the hard bottoming-out experience commonly found in switches with longer stems. This decision was driven by a commitment to creating an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Additionally, the Hyacinth deviates from the mainstream trend of using dual-stage elongated springs, opting instead for a single-stage elongated spring to provide a more consistent force curve. On the other hand, the Outemu Peach is a lightweight and silenced linear switch, making it perfect for those who prefer a feathery light typing experience. With its neutral, mild, muted, subtle, and polished characteristics, the Outemu Peach promises a smooth and refined typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Outemu Peach differ in their choice of housing materials. The Hyacinth features a polycarbonate top housing, which gives it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Peach utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both materials have unique characteristics, they each contribute to a distinct auditory experience. The polycarbonate top housing of the Hyacinth allows for a more resonant and clear sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Peach absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Hyacinth and the Peach opt for nylon as the material of choice. This classic switch housing material plays a significant role in determining the sound profile. The softer nature of nylon helps to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. The combination of nylon bottom housing and their respective top housings contributes to the overall typing experience of each switch.
The distinct qualities of the top and bottom housing materials become apparent when using the switches. The impact of the bottom housing is felt when pressing down on the key, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. In this aspect, the different housing materials of the Hyacinth and the Peach will yield different results. However, when releasing the key, the top housing material takes center stage in influencing the sound produced. Although the materials are different, both the polycarbonate top housing of the Hyacinth and the nylon top housing of the Peach contribute to the auditory experience when letting go of a key, albeit in different ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Outemu Peach linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Hyacinth requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Peach only requires 40 grams. This makes the Peach slightly lighter in terms of actuation force. When it comes to bottom out force, the Hyacinth requires 56 grams, while the Peach requires 50 grams, indicating that the Hyacinth is slightly heavier in this aspect.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Peach switch would be a suitable option as it has a lower actuation and bottom out force. This can be beneficial for users who type for longer periods, ensuring a more comfortable and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Hyacinth switch provides a more substantial feel due to its higher actuation and bottom out force. This can appeal to users who enjoy a stronger push sensation when typing, adding a sense of robustness to their typing experience.
Although the differences in actuation and bottom out force between these switches are relatively small, they can still have a noticeable impact on typing feel and preference. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to an individual's personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Outemu Peach linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when pressing down on a key, the Outemu Peach would be the preferred choice due to its slightly shorter travel distance. However, for those who prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press, the KTT Hyacinth with its slightly longer travel distance would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and whether one prioritizes speed or depth when typing or gaming.
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 Outemu Peach comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, both the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Peach switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they produce a moderate level of sound, suitable for most purposes whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or in a work environment. However, the Outemu Peach switches have the added advantage of being silenced, which means they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Hyacinth is described as offering a silky and subtle typing experience. This means that the switch provides an exceptionally smooth typing feel and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The subtle resistance of the Hyacinth switch ensures a light typing feel, while the sound signature remains non-resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Outemu Peach switches are described as mild, subtle, and polished. These switches offer a gentle typing experience with a safe middle-ground level of characteristics. The polished finish of the Peach switches results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, contributing to an overall sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, both the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Peach switches offer desirable qualities for mechanical keyboard users. They both have a neutral sound profile, providing a moderate level of sound suitable for various environments. The Hyacinth switch stands out with its silky and subtle typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and a non-resonant sound signature. Meanwhile, the Outemu Peach switch provides a gentle typing experience with a polished finish, minimizing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. If you are looking for similar results in terms of sound and feel, both switches can deliver satisfying experiences, but with slight variations in their overall characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Hyacinth is a great choice. It stands out with its unique design featuring a 3.5mm travel distance, which helps avoid a hard bottoming-out experience. The Hyacinth also offers a consistent force curve thanks to its single-stage elongated spring. In terms of sound, the Hyacinth has a neutral profile, suitable for any setting. As for feel, the Hyacinth provides a silky and subtle typing experience, with smoothness and minimal resistance. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch, the Outemu Peach is ideal. These switches offer a bottom out force of 50 grams, creating a feathery light typing experience. The Outemu Peach is also silenced, making it perfect for those who prefer a quieter keyboard. Like the Hyacinth, the Outemu Peach has a neutral sound profile and a subtle typing feel. Additionally, the Outemu Peach is described as mild and polished, ensuring a gentle and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Peach depends on your preference for bottom out force and sound profile.