Gazzew LT vs. PH Studio Yoel
An in-depth look at the Gazzew LT and the PH Studio Yoel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to explore are the Gazzew LT and the PH Studio Yoel. The Gazzew LT, known for its enticing lilac hue, offers a deep and resonant "thockiness" with every keystroke, providing a seamless glide that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the PH Studio Yoel, manufactured by BSUN, delivers a chewy typing experience that envelops fingertips with each press, producing a bright and clacky sound profile that is both satisfying and pronounced. While the LT is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Thocky', and 'Low-pitched', the Yoel boasts characteristics such as 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', 'Polished', 'Silky', and 'Resonant'. Both switches have unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew LT and PH Studio Yoel differ in their choice of housing materials, with the LT featuring a proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housing while the Yoel utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and POM for the bottom housing. The Gazzew blend top housing is known for delivering a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Yoel creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The POM bottom housing of the Yoel produces a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Gazzew blend bottom housing of the LT.
Despite their differences, both the Gazzew LT and PH Studio Yoel showcase unique qualities in their housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. While the Gazzew blend top and bottom housing of the LT deliver a rich and deep sound profile, the polycarbonate top housing and POM bottom housing of the Yoel offer a sharper and crisper sound with a deeper and more muted tone, respectively. Each switch's housing material plays a significant role in determining the sound characteristics and feel of typing on the keyboard.
It is essential to consider the impact of the housing materials on the overall typing experience when choosing between the Gazzew LT and PH Studio Yoel switches. The Gazzew blend top and bottom housing of the LT provide a soft and rich sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing and POM bottom housing of the Yoel offer a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a deeper and more muted tone. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference in sound profile and feel, as each housing material contributes unique qualities to the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew LT linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, it is clear that the Yoel is the lighter of the two. The Yoel has an actuation force of 53 grams, while the LT's actuation force is not specified. However, the bottom out force of the LT is 65 grams, making it heavier than the Yoel, which has a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches provide a different typing experience due to their varying force requirements. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Yoel, as it allows for longer typing sessions without as much fatigue. On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the LT may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel. In essence, while the actuation force and bottom out force of these switches differ, users can achieve similar results depending on their personal preferences.
Travel distance
The Gazzew LT and PH Studio Yoel linear switches have the same travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Users can expect a similar feel when pressing down on keys of either switch. This makes them both suitable options for those who prefer a specific travel distance in their linear switches. The similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get comparable results in terms of typing feel and performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Yoel has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yoel for $4.10.
The Gazzew LT comes in at $6.50 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 Gazzew LT switch offers a bassy and thocky profile, delivering a deep and rich sound with each key press. On the other hand, the PH Studio Yoel switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound, characterized by a sharp and bright tone that resonates upon bottoming out. Depending on your preference for sound, the LT offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the Yoel provides a sharp and percussive auditory experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance your typing experience, with the LT focusing on deep thockiness and the Yoel emphasizing bright and clacky tones.
When it comes to feel, information on the Gazzew LT switch is not available, but the PH Studio Yoel switch is described as creamy, polished, and silky. This means that typing on the Yoel switch will provide a smooth and buttery experience, with reduced friction and effortless key travel. The creamy and silky feel of the Yoel switch allows for a seamless typing experience, akin to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. While the feel of the LT switch is unspecified, the Yoel switch offers a polished and refined sensation that enhances typing comfort.
In conclusion, the Gazzew LT linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The LT is best known for its bassy and thocky sound profile, delivering a deep and resonant auditory experience, while the Yoel provides a clacky and high-pitched sound that is bright and satisfying. In terms of feel, the Yoel switch offers a creamy, polished, and silky typing experience, characterized by smooth and refined key travel. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer distinct qualities that can enhance your overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the LT and Yoel switches will depend on whether you prefer a deep, bass-heavy sound or a bright, clacky tone, as well as whether you prioritize a smooth and buttery typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gazzew LT linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prioritize a medium-heavy bottom out force, a deep and resonant thocky sound profile, and a seamless typing experience, the Gazzew LT may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force, a bright and clacky sound profile with pronounced resonance, and a chewy typing experience, the PH Studio Yoel switch could be the more suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style to ensure a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
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