KTT Hyacinth vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Hyacinth and Wuque Studio WS Brown are two mechanical keyboard switches that have their own unique features and benefits. The Hyacinth stands out with its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which aims to provide a balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. It deviates from the mainstream trend by using a single-stage elongated spring, resulting in a more consistent force curve. On the other hand, the WS Brown offers a medium-light actuation force, striking a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort for fatigue-free typing. It also provides a familiar and delightful auditory experience with its nylon housing and POM stem combination. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in their housing materials. The Hyacinth features a polycarbonate top housing while the Wuque Studio WS Brown has a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Hyacinth creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This housing material is also translucent, making it ideal for utilization with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the WS Brown's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound.
Despite their differences, both switches have nylon bottom housings. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile in both the Hyacinth and the WS Brown. The relatively softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While the bottom housing material is the same for both switches, the impact it has on the bottom-out sound and feel is notable, as it influences the sensation when pressing down on the switch.
In summary, the KTT Hyacinth and the Wuque Studio WS Brown exhibit contrasting housing materials. The Hyacinth's polycarbonate top housing leads to a sharper and crisper sound profile, whereas the WS Brown's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to the overall sound profile by creating a duller and rounder tone. Although the top and bottom housings differ, they each have a significant impact on the sound and feel of the switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and the top housing affecting the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Hyacinth requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the actuation force of the WS Brown is unavailable, so it is unknown how much force is needed to actuate this switch. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Hyacinth has a slightly higher bottom out force of 56 grams compared to the WS Brown's 55 grams.
In terms of weight, the Hyacinth can be considered on the lighter side due to its medium-light actuation and bottom out forces. This makes it ideal for users who prefer a lighter typing experience and need to type for longer periods, such as those using the keyboard for work or extended gaming sessions. On the contrary, the WS Brown also falls under the medium-light category for its bottom out force, but the actuation force is unknown. Therefore, if the actuation force of the WS Brown is similar to the Hyacinth or also falls under the medium-light range, users can expect similar results in terms of weight and typing experience.
Overall, the Hyacinth linear switch stands out for its specific actuation and bottom out forces, offering a medium-light feel. The WS Brown tactile switch, while lacking information about its actuation force, does provide a medium-light bottom out force which may be comparable to the Hyacinth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience, with the Hyacinth leaning towards a slightly heavier touch and the WS Brown potentially offering a similar weight if its actuation force aligns with the medium-light range.
Travel distance
When it comes to the travel distance of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Hyacinth has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the WS Brown has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of traditional standards, both switches fall within the range of what is considered acceptable, with the Hyacinth being slightly shallower and the WS Brown providing a bit more depth. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have gained popularity, especially among gamers who value faster response times. So, if you are in search of a more responsive switch, the Hyacinth with its shorter travel distance might be the preferable option. On the other hand, for those who prefer a more substantial feel and greater key depth, the WS Brown and its longer travel distance could be the better choice. Ultimately, it depends on personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or a more satisfying keystroke.
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 Wuque Studio WS Brown comes in at $3.50 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, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch is described as neutral. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most situations, whether you are a beginner or advanced, or if you are using it at home or at work. The sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound characteristics of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch. However, it is important to note that sound can also be influenced by other factors beyond the switch itself.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch offers a silky typing experience. This means that it provides an exceptionally smooth feel when typing, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the Hyacinth switch has a subtle resistance, giving it a gentle typing feel. The sound signature of the Hyacinth switch is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch.
In conclusion, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch stands out for its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to create an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. It uses a single-stage elongated spring to provide a consistent force curve. The Hyacinth is described as having a neutral sound profile, providing a moderate sound experience suitable for various purposes. In terms of feel, it offers a silky and subtle typing experience, ensuring smoothness and gentle resistance. As for the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there is limited information available about its sound and feel characteristics. However, it is worth noting that both switches offer a familiar auditory experience due to their choice of materials.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a design that prioritizes tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its 3.5mm travel distance and a single-stage elongated spring, it offers a consistent force curve and avoids the hard bottoming-out experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that strikes a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch would be the one for you. Its medium-light actuation force ensures fatigue-free typing during long sessions, and with its familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination, it offers a delightful auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Hyacinth and WS Brown switches depends on your preferences for design, tactile feedback, and auditory experience.
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