KTT Hyacinth vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Hyacinth and the TTC Silent Frozen are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and benefits for users. The Hyacinth stands out for its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which aims to provide a comfortable typing experience by avoiding the common issue of hard bottoming-out. With a commitment to finding the perfect balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the Hyacinth uses a single-stage elongated spring for more consistent force. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch is best known for its extremely quiet sound profile, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. It offers a smooth and pillowy feel, categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Buttery', 'Muted', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and the TTC Silent Frozen have similar polycarbonate top housings. Both switches utilize polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate is translucent, making it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Hyacinth and the Silent Frozen will produce similar sound characteristics and aesthetic appeal when it comes to the top housing.
However, the bottom housing materials differ between the two switches. The Hyacinth features a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switch. In contrast, the Silent Frozen incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, maintains the sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound characteristics that were present in the top housing. As a result, the Silent Frozen's bottom-out sound and feel will be influenced by the polycarbonate bottom housing.
When using either switch, the impact of each housing material can be felt and heard depending on the action performed. The bottom housing, whether nylon or polycarbonate, will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing the switch down. On the other hand, the top housing, which is made of polycarbonate for both switches, will play a larger role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Despite these differences in the bottom housing material, the overall sound and feel of the switches will still be influenced by the shared polycarbonate top housing, ensuring similar results in terms of sound profile and RGB lighting compatibility.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, it is clear that there are notable differences. The Hyacinth boasts an actuation force of 45 grams, slightly heavier than the Silent Frozen's 39 grams. This means that users who prefer a stronger push feel during typing may lean towards the Hyacinth for a more substantial experience. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Hyacinth requires 56 grams of force, while the Silent Frozen only needs 43 grams. This makes the Silent Frozen significantly lighter in terms of bottoming out, which can be advantageous for those who desire a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods comfortably. In summary, while the Hyacinth leans towards a medium-light actuation force and a heavier bottom out force, the Silent Frozen offers a lighter actuation force and an even lighter bottom out force, catering to different preferences.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and keypress experience with both switches.
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 TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
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, the KTT Hyacinth offers a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. Whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or whether you plan to use it at home or work, the Hyacinth provides a balanced auditory experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen is characterized by a thocky, low-pitched, and muted sound. When pressed, it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound, similar to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock." The low-pitched switches feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the muted switches minimize the noise associated with mechanical keyboards. It is essential to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Hyacinth is described as offering a silky and subtle typing experience. The silky switch provides an exceptionally smooth typing experience by minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel. Additionally, the subtle switch has a gentle resistance that is not feather-light, but it still maintains a light typing feel. This makes the Hyacinth suitable for shared spaces as its sound signature is not resonant. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen switches offer a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. The creamy switch is characterized by a smooth and buttery typing experience, with a silky sensation as the fingers effortlessly glide across the keys. The buttery switch provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, while the feathery switch is exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue for extended typing sessions. The subtle switch, as mentioned earlier, offers a gentle resistance and a non-resonant sound signature, suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, the polished switch ensures smooth and refined typing experience due to reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking into account all the available information, the KTT Hyacinth and TTC Silent Frozen linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Hyacinth provides a neutral sound profile with a balanced auditory experience, while the Silent Frozen offers a thocky, low-pitched, and muted sound. In terms of feel, the Hyacinth provides a silky and subtle typing experience, whereas the Silent Frozen offers a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. It is important to consider personal preferences and requirements when choosing between these switches. However, both switches aim to provide a smooth and comfortable typing experience for different user preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a moderate actuation force requirement and a balanced sound profile, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch would be a good choice for you. Its medium-light bottom out force of 56 grams and neutral sound profile make it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced and whether you plan to use it at home or work. The Hyacinth's design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance helps to avoid a hard bottoming-out experience and provides an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Additionally, its single-stage elongated spring offers a consistent force curve.
On the other hand, if you prioritize an extremely quiet sound profile and a smooth, pillowy typing feel, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch would be a better option. With a light bottom out force of 43 grams, these switches are characterized by their thocky, low-pitched, and muted sound profile. They produce a satisfying sound when pressed and released, and they minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. The Silent Frozen switches are also super smooth and offer a creamy, buttery, or feathery typing experience, depending on the specific descriptor. Their smoothness and fluid keystrokes provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Hyacinth and TTC Silent Frozen switches depends on your personal preferences for actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider the factors that are most important to you and select the switch that aligns with your desired experience. Happy typing!
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