Cherry MX Brown vs. KTT Orange
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the KTT Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the Cherry MX Brown and the KTT Orange. The Cherry MX Brown is best known for its subtlety, offering a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the KTT Orange Switches provide a bouncy type feel, with a slick and frictionless typing experience, thanks to its polycarbonate milky top housing and excellent factory-lubing. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, ensuring a non-intrusive typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the switch that suits your specific preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the KTT Orange switches present distinct differences in terms of sound profile and overall aesthetic. The MX Brown features a nylon top housing, which gives it a deeper and fuller sound, creating a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the Orange switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound with higher-pitched notes. Additionally, the transparent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch. Despite these disparities, both switches share the common characteristic of utilizing nylon as the material for their bottom housing. This means that the typing experience provided by the bottom housing will elicit a similar deep and full sound profile, emphasizing the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and KTT Orange differ, their effects on the typing experience are quite distinct. When pressing down on these switches, the qualities of the bottom housing material become apparent. With the nylon bottom housing of both switches, users can expect a more subdued sound and feel upon bottoming out. The nylon's soft and absorbent nature reduces the sound produced and creates a rounder and duller tone. Conversely, the top housing material has a more pronounced impact when releasing a key. In the case of the MX Brown, the nylon top housing continues to enhance the deeper sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Orange switch adds a clear and resonant quality to the sound. This contrast highlights how the choice of top housing material can significantly influence the sound profile when typing.
In summary, the choice of housing materials in the Cherry MX Brown and KTT Orange switches presents noticeable differences in both sound and aesthetic qualities. The nylon top housing of the MX Brown creates a deeper and fuller sound, contrasting with the polycarbonate top housing of the Orange switch, which yields a sharper and crisper sound. However, both switches share the use of nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound upon bottoming out. Understanding the impact of each housing material on the typing experience allows users to select a switch that aligns with their desired sound profile and visual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. Both switches fall into the medium-light category in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Cherry MX Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Orange requires a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the MX Brown has a higher force requirement of 55 grams compared to the Orange's 53 grams.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter touch for extended periods of typing or gaming might lean towards either of these switches as they both offer relatively low actuation and bottom out forces. However, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the MX Brown with its slightly higher forces for both actuation and bottoming out. Overall, while there are subtle differences in the actuation and bottom out forces between the Cherry MX Brown and KTT Orange, they both offer similar results in terms of weight and force required for a comfortable typing experience.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the KTT Orange linear switch have different travel distances. The MX Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Orange has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The MX Brown is considered to have a more traditional travel distance, while the Orange is slightly shorter. The difference may not seem significant to some, but for gamers who prioritize faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Orange switch may be more appealing. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial key press may find the 4 mm travel distance of the MX Brown switch to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is best known for its subtlety. It provides a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The sound profile of the MX Brown can be described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. The feel of the MX Brown switch is textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed, which can be preferred by some users who enjoy a tactile typing experience.
On the other hand, the KTT Orange linear switch is known for its bouncy type feel. It features a 22mm long spring that provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed. The sound profile of the Orange switch is low-pitched, similar to the MX Brown, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The KTT Orange switch also boasts a frictionless typing experience, thanks to its excellent factory-lubing and smooth key travel provided by the polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and vivid orange nylon bottom housing.
Overall, while both switches offer a low-pitched sound profile and a smooth typing experience, they differ in their tactile feedback. The MX Brown provides a subtle and gentle tactility, while the KTT Orange offers a bouncy and elastic feel. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with noticeable friction, the MX Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a bouncy feel, the KTT Orange switch would be the way to go. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With its medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a comfortable and relatively subtle typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and frictionless typing experience, the KTT Orange linear switch would be a better fit for you. With a slightly lighter bottom out force of 53 grams, these switches offer a slick and smooth key travel, thanks to their excellent factory-lubing. The Orange switches also provide a low-pitched sound profile, which can be characterized by a bass-heavy and mellow tone.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a gentle and subtle tactile experience, the MX Brown would be ideal. However, if you prefer a bouncy and frictionless typing feel with a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Orange switches would be a better fit. Consider your typing preferences and priorities to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
