SP-Star Meteor Orange vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the KTT Wine Red. The Meteor Orange switch is highly praised for its gentle nature, offering a soft and seductive tactility accompanied by a neutral sound profile. These switches are categorized as neutral, mild, thocky, and polished, providing a delightful typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switches are adored for their intoxicating appeal. Typing on them offers a pillowy light feel, accompanied by a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile. These switches are categorized as bassy and low-pitched, providing a unique sensation. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision in choosing the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
57g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor Orange and KTT Wine Red switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Meteor Orange features a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound when typing. This is because nylon, as a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Wine Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, allows for a clearer and more resonant sound profile. This difference in materials leads to distinct auditory experiences when typing on these switches.
The bottom housings of the Meteor Orange and Wine Red switches also diverge in terms of their materials and resulting sound profiles. The nylon bottom housing of the Meteor Orange contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its nylon top housing. Due to its softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound and imparts a duller and rounder sound to the switch. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Wine Red creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for a clear and resonant sound, lending a distinctive auditory quality to the switch. Additionally, the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing is especially useful for those planning to use RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Despite these differences, both the SP-Star Meteor Orange and KTT Wine Red switches share similarities in terms of their housing materials. Both switches feature a classic switch housing material, nylon, which is known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. Typing on either switch elicits this desired sound characteristic. However, they differ when it comes to the top and bottom housings. The Meteor Orange utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, while the Wine Red features polycarbonate for both housings. Therefore, while there are notable differences in sound profiles due to the choice of housing materials, both switches ultimately deliver a satisfactory typing experience with their respective materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. Firstly, the actuation force of the Meteor Orange is unavailable, while the Wine Red has an actuation force of 44 grams. Although the specific force for the Meteor Orange is unknown, it can be assumed that it might be similar to or lighter than the Wine Red. Both switches have a bottom out force of 55 grams for the Wine Red and 57 grams for the Meteor Orange, indicating that they have a medium-light touch when fully pressed.
Considering weight, the lighter actuation force of the Wine Red switch may be favorable for individuals who prefer a smoother typing experience and those who engage in longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force allows for quicker keystrokes with less physical exertion. On the other hand, some users might prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, in which case they would opt for options with heavier forces.
In summary, while the specific actuation force of the Meteor Orange switch is unavailable, it is likely to be similar to or lighter than the Wine Red switch, which has an actuation force of 44 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force in the medium-light range. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier force ultimately depends on their personal typing preferences and the type of usage they require from their keyboard.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed down. In the case of the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, its travel distance is 4 mm. Similarly, the KTT Wine Red linear switch also has a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that whether you choose the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch or the KTT Wine Red linear switch, you can expect to feel the same distance when pressing down on a key.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor Orange has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor Orange for $5.00.
The KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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 SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch is known for its neutral and thocky sound profile. It offers a moderate actuation force requirement and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound when pressed and released. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is described as bassy and low-pitched. It produces a deeper and richer sound profile with a lower frequency range, reminiscent of the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Meteor Orange tactile switch is gentle and mild, providing a more approachable typing experience. Its qualities stand in a safe middle-ground zone and cater to a wide range of users. Additionally, the switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish. This results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience. Unfortunately, the available information does not provide any descriptors or descriptions for the feel of the KTT Wine Red linear switch.
Considering the available information, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Meteor Orange boasts a soft and seductive tactility, while the Wine Red provides a pillowy light type feel. The sound profile of the Meteor Orange is neutral and thocky, while the Wine Red is characterized as bassy and low-pitched. It is important to note that the sound and feel of these switches can also depend on other factors such as the keyboard's construction, keycaps, and personal preference. However, based on the provided information, users can expect similar results in terms of sound if they desire a deep and rich experience, although the specific characteristics may vary.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a soft and seductive tactility, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch would be a great choice. These switches offer a gentle typing experience with a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. With its mild and polished feel, you can expect a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile characterized by a lower frequency range, then the KTT Wine Red linear switch is the way to go. Overall, both switches have their unique qualities and it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. Whether you prioritize gentle tactility and a neutral sound profile or a pillowy light feel with a bassy and low-pitched sound, both the Meteor Orange and Wine Red switches offer delightful experiences for different preferences.