SP-Star Meteor White vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering the SP-Star Meteor White and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes evident that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Meteor White is praised for its gentle linear feel, easy actuation, and soft sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Venus stands out for its innovative internal design, providing a smooth and frictionless typing feel with a captivating "Q-texture" resistance. With very light actuation and a muted sound signature, the Venus offers a unique matte sensation that is both smooth and engaging. While the Meteor White is characterized by its mild and thocky attributes, the Venus boasts a range of qualities such as buttery, gummy, and low-pitched tones. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on individual preferences and typing requirements. 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
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The SP-Star Meteor White and TTC Venus both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Meteor White's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Venus's POM top housing produces a more muted and deeper sound profile, offering a pleasing and unique typing experience. While both materials aim to enhance sound quality, the Nylon top housing of the Meteor White and the POM top housing of the Venus provide distinct characteristics to cater to different preferences.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Meteor White's nylon bottom housing shares similar qualities with its top housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is consistent with the overall sound experience created by the switch. On the other hand, the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, emphasizing clarity and resonance. The use of different bottom housing materials allows for a varied typing experience, with the polycarbonate providing a different tactile and auditory response compared to the nylon bottom housing of the Meteor White.
While the SP-Star Meteor White and TTC Venus offer unique housing materials for both the top and bottom of the switch, they both strive to enhance sound quality and typing experience. The split between the qualities each housing material brings to the switch is evident in the different sound profiles they create. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel, versus the impact of the top housing on the sound when releasing a key, highlights how the choice of housing material can influence the overall typing experience. Whether it's the nylon and polycarbonate combination of the Meteor White or the POM top and bottom housing of the Venus, each switch offers a distinct sound profile catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Weight
The SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch both fall into the medium-light category when comparing actuation force and bottom out force. The Meteor White has a bottom out force of 57 grams, while the Venus has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 52 grams. Despite this difference, both switches provide a similar typing experience due to their actuation forces being very close, with none specified for the Meteor White and 45 grams for the Venus. These differences in force may not be significant to the average user, but for those who prefer a lighter touch, the Venus may be the better option, whereas those who like a more substantial feel may lean towards the Meteor White. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Meteor White linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Venus switch would be considered the shorter option compared to the Meteor White switch. The difference in travel distance may not be significant to the average user, but for those who prefer a quicker response time, the Venus switch would be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly deeper travel distance, the Meteor White switch would be the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer relatively similar results in terms of travel distance, but the slight variance may cater to different preferences in typing or gaming experiences.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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
When it comes to sound, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch offers a neutral and thocky sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch provides a low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound experience, creating a softer and quieter typing environment. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Meteor White being more versatile in terms of use cases and the Venus producing a more mellow and calming sound.
In terms of feel, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle and smooth key press that is approachable to most users. On the contrary, the TTC Venus linear switch offers a buttery, gummy, and frictionless typing sensation, giving a seamless and effortless keystroke that minimizes any sense of resistance. Both switches offer a refined and smooth typing experience, with the Meteor White focusing more on a safe middle-ground feel and the Venus providing a uniquely smooth and fluid key press.
Overall, while both the SP-Star Meteor White and TTC Venus linear switches offer their own distinct sound and feel characteristics, users can expect a high-quality and enjoyable typing experience with either option. The Meteor White provides a soft and thocky sound with a mild and polished feel, suitable for various users and environments. On the other hand, the Venus offers a low-pitched, muted sound with a buttery, gummy, and frictionless feel, creating a smooth and engaging typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and feel, but users can rest assured that both options will deliver a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a gentle and soft linear switch with a neutral sound profile, the Meteor White may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smooth and engaging typing sensation with a low-pitched and muted sound, the Venus may be more suited to your taste. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches comes down to personal preference and what characteristics you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard.
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