KTT Hyacinth vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available on the market. Two popular choices to consider are the KTT Hyacinth, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, a tactile switch. The Hyacinth sets itself apart with its 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to provide balanced tactile feedback, an enjoyable auditory experience, and comfort for users by avoiding a hard bottoming-out sensation. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet and tactile typing experience with a unique thocky sound, thanks to its factory-lubed switches and translucent jade-yellow housing. While the Hyacinth is categorized as neutral, silky, and subtle, the Silent Yellow Jade's category remains undisclosed. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, catering to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
65g
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 housing materials of the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches exhibit distinct characteristics that influence the sound and feel of typing. The Hyacinth's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, creating a clear and resonant typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. While both materials offer unique acoustic qualities, the polycarbonate top housing of the Hyacinth is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting with its translucency, whereas the nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade provides a more muted and rounder sound.
The Hyacinth's nylon bottom housing shares similar characteristics with the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon housing, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The softer plastic of the nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder typing experience. However, the distribution of housing materials in a switch affects how these qualities are perceived during typing. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when the key is released. This difference in housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience tailored to the preferences of the user.
Overall, both the KTT Hyacinth and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials. The use of polycarbonate in the Hyacinth creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, while the nylon material in the Silent Yellow Jade produces a deeper and fuller sound. Each material absorbs sound differently, resulting in distinct acoustics that cater to different typing preferences. Whether you prefer a clear and resonant typing experience with the Hyacinth or a muted and round sound with the Silent Yellow Jade, both switches offer high-quality performance with their unique housing materials.
Weight
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch's 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Hyacinth is also lighter at 56 grams as opposed to the Silent Yellow Jade's heavier 65 grams. The Hyacinth offers a smoother and lighter typing experience with both its actuation and bottom out forces being on the lighter side, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade provides a more substantial typing feel with both its actuation and bottom out forces being heavier, offering a more tactile and satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a firmer key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it is clear that the Hyacinth has a longer travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Silent Yellow Jade's 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to everyone, but for those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes, the Hyacinth may provide a more satisfying feel. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a slightly quicker actuation due to its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or a more tactile typing experience.
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 Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10 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
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance contributes to a comfortable typing experience by avoiding a hard bottoming-out sensation. The single-stage elongated spring used in the Hyacinth provides a consistent force curve, enhancing the overall feel of the switch. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is praised for its quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. It features a unique translucent jade yellow housing and a punchy tactile bump for an enjoyable tactile feedback.
In terms of sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Hyacinth provides a neutral sound profile suitable for various settings, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet typing experience with a distinct tactile feedback. Your choice of keyboard, case, and keycaps can further influence the sound produced by these switches.
When it comes to feel, the Hyacinth is described as silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, it offers a subtle typing feel with a gentle resistance, making it suitable for shared spaces. Although the feel of the Silent Yellow Jade switch is not explicitly described, its tactile bump and quiet operation suggest it offers a different tactile experience compared to the Hyacinth.
Ultimately, both the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Depending on your preferences for sound, tactile feedback, and typing experience, you can achieve satisfying results with either switch. Experimenting with different switches can help you find the perfect match for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when choosing between the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force with a focus on tactile feedback, auditory experience, and comfort, the Hyacinth may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a quiet, tactile typing experience and a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the kind of typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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