KTT Hyacinth vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the KTT Hyacinth and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. The Hyacinth stands out with its 3.5mm travel distance, specifically designed to avoid the harsh bottoming-out experience often found in switches with longer stems. This switch prioritizes a balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a neutral, silky, and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches by Wuque offer a medium level of tactility without compromising on noise reduction. These switches boast ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, resulting in a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return while maintaining an impressively silent profile. Unlike traditional silent switches, the WS Silent Tactile forgoes silicone dampeners, creating a typing experience that is devoid of the usual padded feel associated with silent switches. This unique blend of tranquility and tactility is perfect for users looking for an accented, invigorating, neutral, mild, and muted typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Hyacinth and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile differ in terms of their characteristics and resulting sound profiles. The Hyacinth utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which generates a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile features a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and thus produces a duller and rounder sound. While both housing materials offer distinct sound qualities, they are different in terms of sharpness versus depth.
Similarly, the bottom housing of both switches differs in material composition. The Hyacinth has a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its nylon top housing. Nylon's softness absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Likewise, the WS Silent Tactile also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, further enhancing the deeper and fuller sound profile associated with this housing material. Therefore, both switches share the quality of eliciting a deep sound profile due to the presence of nylon in their bottom housing.
The contrasting materials used in the top and bottom housings of each switch play a role in the sound experience. When pressing down on the Hyacinth switch, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing are more prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, upon releasing a key, the polycarbonate top housing of the Hyacinth has a greater impact on the resulting sound. In the case of the WS Silent Tactile, the nylon top and bottom housings work in harmony to produce a consistent deep sound profile throughout the typing experience. While the top and bottom housings differ for each switch, the characteristics and resulting sounds associated with each material are split between the two, offering a unique sound experience for each type of housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, there are notable differences. The actuation force of the Hyacinth is 45 grams, while the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unknown. However, the bottom out force of the Hyacinth is 56 grams, slightly heavier than the 63.5 grams of the WS Silent Tactile.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Hyacinth with its medium-light actuation force would be a suitable choice, allowing for longer periods of typing comfort. This makes it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience due to its medium-heavy bottom out force. This option is better suited for those who prefer a stronger push feel while typing.
While the specific actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unknown, it is important to consider that a lighter actuation force will result in a similar typing experience as the Hyacinth. However, for a more tactile feel, the heavier bottom out force of the WS Silent Tactile would provide a distinctive typing experience compared to the Hyacinth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding typing feel and individual typing needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor when considering the overall typing experience. In the case of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, both switches have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, providing users with a consistent typing feel and response. Therefore, regardless of which switch is chosen, whether it is the Hyacinth or the WS Silent Tactile, users can expect to achieve similar results and a satisfying typing experience with a travel distance of 3.5 mm.
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 Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20 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 Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches have a neutral sound profile, which means they produce a moderate level of noise and are suitable for most scenarios. However, the WS Silent Tactile switch offers the additional benefit of being muted, resulting in a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. It minimizes the noise commonly associated with mechanical keyboards, making it an excellent choice for office and work environments. It's worth noting that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Hyacinth provides a silky typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. It is described as having a subtle resistance, providing a light typing feel without being too feather-light. Additionally, the sound signature of the Hyacinth is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile offers an invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a snappy and reactive feel. It is described as an accented switch, providing a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. For those who prefer a milder typing experience, the WS Silent Tactile also offers a mild option that provides a gentle feel without any extreme characteristics.
Based on the available information, the KTT Hyacinth focuses on providing a balanced tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance aims to avoid a hard bottoming-out experience commonly found in switches with longer stems. The use of a single-stage elongated spring instead of the dual-stage elongated springs ensures a consistent force curve. In terms of sound, it has a neutral profile, suitable for various settings. The Hyacinth offers a silky and subtle typing experience.
On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches by Wuque Studio are designed to strike a balance between noise reduction and tactile feedback. They feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, effectively minimizing switch sound while providing a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. These switches do not use silicone dampeners, which sets them apart from conventional silent switches and ensures a typing experience devoid of the usual padded feel. The WS Silent Tactile switches have a neutral sound profile like the Hyacinth, but with the additional option of a muted sound. In terms of feel, they offer an invigorating and accented typing sensation, while also providing a mild alternative for a gentler experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-light bottom out force, a 3.5mm travel distance to avoid a hard bottoming-out experience, and a consistent force curve, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch would be a great choice. This switch offers a smooth and subtle feel, with a gentle resistance and a sound profile that is suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, if you are in need of a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a medium level of tactility, and noise reduction without sacrificing on the satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return, then the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch is the way to go. These switches provide an invigorating typing sensation, with a pronounced feedback and a moderately firm actuation force. Additionally, they have a muted sound profile, making them suitable for use in quiet environments such as offices. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences in terms of actuation force, travel distance, tactile feedback, and noise reduction.
Mentioned in this article
