Cherry MX Black vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Black and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Cherry MX Black and the KTT Wine Red are two linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The MX Black is best known for its smoothness, thanks to Cherry's new Hyperglide tooling, providing a classic textured feel. It offers a deep sound profile, making each keystroke satisfyingly noticeable. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches are loved for their pillowy light touch, resulting in a comfortable typing experience. They also produce a deep and rich sound profile, adding to the overall typing pleasure. Both switches have their strengths and appeal, with the MX Black being categorized as low-pitched, textured, and stiff, while the Wine Red is known for its bassy and low-pitched qualities. 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
60g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
80g
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
No
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 Cherry MX Black and the KTT Wine Red differ significantly in their housing materials, with the Black featuring a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Wine Red utilizes a polycarbonate material for both its top and bottom housing. The choice of housing material greatly influences the sound profile of the switches. The nylon housing of the MX Black produces a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. On the contrary, the polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound due to its relatively stiffer plastic, delivering a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing their aesthetics.
While the top and bottom housings of the MX Black and the Wine Red differ in material, the impact on the sound profile is split between the two. The bottom housing plays a vital role in the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down, highlighting the qualities of the material used in its construction. Conversely, the top housing has a more significant influence on the sound produced when a key is released. Therefore, the distinction in materials for the top and bottom housings of these switches leads to different experiences when typing, generating distinctive sound profiles throughout the keystrokes.
Despite their differences, both the Cherry MX Black and the KTT Wine Red share similarities in terms of the housing materials' impact on the sound produced. The use of softer plastic like nylon or stiffer plastic like polycarbonate in the construction of housing materials enhances the sound profile of the switches in unique ways. Both materials contribute to the overall sound quality by either absorbing more sound and creating a duller sound profile (nylon) or delivering a more resonant and clear sound (polycarbonate). Therefore, whether it's the MX Black or the Wine Red, users can expect an improved auditory experience compared to switches that employ harder plastics in their construction.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are clear differences. The MX Black has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, requiring a stronger push to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Wine Red has a lighter actuation force of 44 grams, making it easier to activate the switch. Similarly, the MX Black has a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Wine Red has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, offering a lighter keypress for a smoother typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a lighter switch for longer typing or gaming sessions, the Wine Red would be the suitable choice. However, if you prefer a heavier and more substantial typing experience, the MX Black would provide the desired result.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Black linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a consistent and smooth linear feel without any tactile feedback. Therefore, whether you choose the Cherry MX Black or the KTT Wine Red, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00, whereas the KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71.
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 Cherry MX Black switch offers a low-pitched sound profile. These switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during key presses, which creates a deep and satisfying sound. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch is described as both bassy and low-pitched. This means that it also provides a deep and rich sound profile, similar to the MX Black switch. Overall, both switches offer a deep and satisfying sound, so you can expect similar results in terms of sound regardless of which one you choose. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Black switch is known for its textured and somewhat stiff nature. The textured surface of these switches provides noticeable friction when pressed, which can be preferred by some users. However, others may prefer a smoother typing experience. Additionally, the MX Black switches require a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. This means that you will need to apply more force when pressing the keys with these switches. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the feel of the KTT Wine Red switch.
Considering the available information, both the Cherry MX Black and KTT Wine Red switches offer a deep and rich sound profile. While the MX Black switch provides a textured and stiff feel, there is no specific information about the feel of the Wine Red switch. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch with a satisfying sound and a textured, stiff feel, the Cherry MX Black switch would be a good choice. However, if the feel is not a significant factor for you and you prioritize the deep sound profile, the KTT Wine Red switch could also be a suitable option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Cherry MX Black and KTT Wine Red linear switches, there are a few factors to consider. The MX Black offers a heavy bottom out force of 80 grams, providing a substantial and solid feel when typing. It is best known for its classic textured smoothness and familiar deep sound profile. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, offering a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile.
In terms of sound, the MX Black is known for its low-pitched tone, adding a bass-heavy and mellow element to the typing experience. The Wine Red, on the other hand, offers a bassy sound profile with a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones.
When it comes to feel, the MX Black has a textured and slightly scratchy sensation when pressed, which might be preferred by some users who enjoy the additional feedback and resistance. It is also categorized as stiff, requiring more force to actuate and bottom out. On the other hand, there is no specific description for the feel of the Wine Red provided.
Ultimately, the choice between the Cherry MX Black and KTT Wine Red switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a heavier and more tactile typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the MX Black might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter and smoother typing feel with a deeper and richer sound profile, the Wine Red could be a better fit. Remember to take into account the bottom out force and consider how it aligns with your typing preferences. Overall, both switches offer their unique qualities, allowing you to tailor the keyboard experience to your liking.
Mentioned in this article
