KTT Hyacinth vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon

Overview

The KTT Hyacinth and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Hyacinth differentiates itself from other switches by its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which avoids the common issue of hard bottoming-out. This design decision aims to provide an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Additionally, the Hyacinth stands out by using a single-stage elongated spring instead of the dual-stage elongated springs found in many mainstream switches, resulting in a more consistent force curve. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon showcases the beauty of a linear switch with its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, offering a buttery smooth typing experience. The Sea Salt Lemon is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a pleasing and mild typing sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.

By the numbers

KTT Hyacinth Linear

KTT Sea Salt Lemon Linear

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

$2.80 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Hyacinth and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both feature polycarbonate top housing. This material enhances the sound profile of the switches, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize sound quality in their keyboard experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the top housing is beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant and visually stunning effects. Overall, the polycarbonate top housing in both switches provides similar results in terms of sound profile and aesthetic appeal.

In terms of the bottom housing material, the KTT Hyacinth and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both utilize nylon. This classic switch housing material adds depth and fullness to the sound profile when typing. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The nylon bottom housing contributes to the overall typing experience, creating a satisfying and immersive sound while typing. Therefore, both switches share similar attributes in terms of the sound profile elicited by their nylon bottom housing.

While the top housing material affects the sound when pressing down on a key, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, and the sound when letting go of a key is more influenced by the top housing. This means that the different housing materials in the Hyacinth and Sea Salt Lemon divide the qualities each material brings to the switch. The sound produced by pressing down on the switch will depend on the characteristics of the bottom housing, while the sound when releasing the key will be influenced by the properties of the top housing. This distinction allows users to have a more nuanced and customizable typing experience based on their preferences.

In conclusion, the KTT Hyacinth and KTT Sea Salt Lemon share similarities in terms of their housing materials. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housing, contributing to a sharper and crisper sound profile, as well as nylon bottom housing, adding depth and fullness to the typing experience. While offering similar results, the different housing materials in each switch allow for a tailored sound profile when pressing down and releasing keys. Whether one prefers a clearer sound or a more resonant typing experience, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing and auditory experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches, there are both similarities and differences. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is identical. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of the initial actuation force. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a slight variation. The KTT Hyacinth has a bottom out force of 56 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Sea Salt Lemon switch, which has a bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that the Hyacinth switch would provide a slightly more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel compared to the Sea Salt Lemon switch.

Weight is an important consideration when choosing a switch, as it can impact typing comfort and endurance. Some users prefer a lighter switch, as it allows them to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. This is especially useful for those who use their keyboards for extended work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, some individuals prefer a heavier switch that offers a more tactile and substantial typing experience. These users may appreciate the Hyacinth switch more, with its slightly higher bottom out force.

Overall, while the actuation force remains the same for both switches, the difference in bottom out force between the Hyacinth and Sea Salt Lemon offers a subtle distinction in typing experience. However, as both switches are in the medium-light category, users can expect similar results in terms of typing feel and responsiveness.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is evident that the Sea Salt Lemon has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Hyacinth has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these distances fall within the range of traditional travel distances for switches. The 4.0 mm is the more traditional distance, while the 3.5 mm falls on the shorter end. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times, making the Hyacinth a more suitable choice for them. However, those who prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press experience may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth desired by the user.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch provides a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate tone that is suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, and whether you plan to use these switches at home or work. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a low-pitched sound. This results in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches offer a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

When it comes to feel, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch is described as silky. This means that it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, it has a subtle resistance, which is not feather-light but still maintains a light typing feel. The sound signature of the Hyacinth switch is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is described as mild. It provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The qualities of the Sea Salt Lemon switch stand in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users.

In conclusion, while the KTT Hyacinth and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches differ in some subjective qualities, they both offer their own unique advantages. The Hyacinth switch provides a neutral sound profile, a silky and subtle typing feel, and a 3.5mm travel distance to avoid a hard bottoming-out experience. The Sea Salt Lemon switch, on the other hand, has a low-pitched sound profile, a mild typing feel, and features KTT's dry-lube design for a smooth typing experience. Depending on your preferences, both switches can provide satisfying results. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the user's personal preferences and needs.

Conclusion

In closing, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force, both the KTT Hyacinth and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon are great options. If you prioritize a switch design that avoids a hard bottoming-out experience while still providing a balanced tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the Hyacinth is the way to go. Additionally, if you prefer a consistent force curve and a neutral sound profile, the Hyacinth is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you value a buttery smooth typing experience with a progressive spring and a low-pitched, bass-heavy, and mellow sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon is the switch for you. Both switches offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Hyacinth Linear

$4.03

$3.75 per 10

Learn more

KTT Sea Salt Lemon Linear

$2.80 per 10

Learn more