SP-Star Meteor White vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Pine. The Meteor White is a linear switch that offers a gentle and subdued typing experience. With its easy push and pitter-patter sound profile, this switch provides a soft and comfortable feel. On the other hand, the KTT Pine is also a linear switch but is known for its medium-heavy weight and buttery smoothness. Designed for effortless typing, it boasts a polished and factory-lubed finish to minimize friction and ensure smooth key travel. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Meteor White offers a unique typing experience, while the KTT Pine, categorized as 'Bassy', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Low-pitched', provides a different tactile and auditory sensation. However, 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
45g
Bottom-out force
57g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Pine differ in terms of their housing materials. The Meteor White features a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Pine utilizes a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The nylon housing of the Meteor White offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate housing of the Pine produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the Pine's clear polycarbonate housing is advantageous for those planning to use RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for better light diffusion compared to the opaque nylon housing of the Meteor White.
Although the top and bottom housings differ between the Meteor White and the Pine, they both share similar characteristics in terms of their respective materials. Both nylon and polycarbonate are commonly used in switch housings, bringing their own unique qualities to the typing experience. Both housing materials have the ability to absorb sound to some extent, resulting in a more pleasant typing sound. However, the degree to which sound is absorbed differs, with nylon providing a deeper and fuller sound, while polycarbonate delivers a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, both housing materials impact the overall feel of the switch. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, whereas the top housing affects the sound when letting go of a key.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Pine exhibit distinct differences in their housing materials. The nylon housing of the Meteor White offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the polycarbonate housing of the Pine produces a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the Pine's clear polycarbonate housing is advantageous for those utilizing RGB lighting. However, both housing materials share similarities in terms of their ability to absorb sound and contribute to the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for sound profile and aesthetic preferences regarding RGB lighting.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are some distinct differences. The Meteor White's actuation force is currently unknown, while the Pine requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Meteor White requires 57 grams, creating a medium-light typing experience, while the Pine demands slightly more force at 58 grams, resulting in a medium typing experience.
For those who value a lighter weight switch, the Pine would be the preferred choice as it has a slightly lower actuation force. This lighter actuation force allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for those who use their keyboard extensively for work or gaming. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Meteor White, as its bottom out force is slightly higher. This heavier force provides a stronger push feel, catering to those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback when typing.
While the specific actuation force of the Meteor White is not available, it can be expected that it would provide similar results to the Pine in terms of lightness, given that they both fall into the medium-light category for bottom out force. In summary, the choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding the desired typing experience – lighter and more comfortable with the Pine, or heavier and more substantial with the Meteor White.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a keyboard, as it determines the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom when a key is pressed. In the case of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same 4 mm of travel. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Pine switches offer similar results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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
The subjective qualities of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch differ in terms of sound and feel. The Meteor White switch has a soft and gentle sound profile, described as pitter-patter and thocky. It offers a neutral switch experience with a moderate actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the Pine switch has a deeper and richer sound profile, described as bassy and low-pitched. It provides a typing experience with a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones.
In terms of feel, the Meteor White switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. It is described as gentle and approachable, with a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, the Pine switch provides a buttery and creamy typing experience. It offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform sensation, similar to gliding fingers across the keys with ease. It is likely that the Pine switch achieves this through factory lubing or specific materials.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Meteor White and KTT Pine linear switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Meteor White produces a soft and gentle sound with a mild and polished typing experience. The Pine, on the other hand, offers a deeper and richer sound with a buttery and creamy typing experience. Each switch provides a unique and desirable typing experience based on individual preferences. However, it is important to note that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Ultimately, whether you choose the Meteor White or the Pine, you can expect a satisfying typing experience in their respective sound and feel profiles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and easy-to-push linear switch with a soft and pitter-patter sound profile, then the SP-Star Meteor White would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 57 grams, it offers a medium-light typing experience. Its neutral and thocky sound profile adds to the overall satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the polished and factory-lubed finish ensures smooth key travel and reduced friction.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a buttery smooth and effortless typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch is worth considering. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, it falls into the medium category. The Pine switch produces a bassy and low-pitched sound, giving a deep and rich tone during key presses. Its buttery and creamy feel provides a seamless and uniform typing sensation, making it easy to glide your fingers across the keys with ease.
Ultimately, your choice between the SP-Star Meteor White and KTT Pine linear switches depends on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and overall feel. Whether you prioritize a gentle and easy push with a soft sound or a medium-heavy switch with a buttery smooth feel and deep tone, both switches offer unique qualities for an enjoyable typing experience.
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