Cherry MX Brown vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown 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 often come up in discussions are the Cherry MX Brown and the KTT Wine Red. The MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety, providing a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches offer a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile. Both switches fall into the 'low-pitched' and 'bassy' sound categories. While these general pointers can give you a sense of what to expect, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can better decide on the best switch for your needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
55g
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 Brown and the KTT Wine Red differ in their housing materials, which greatly affect their sound profiles. The MX Brown features a nylon top housing, while the Wine Red incorporates a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon material of the MX Brown gives it a deeper and fuller sound, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Wine Red creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic, producing a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the Wine Red's translucent polycarbonate housing is beneficial for those using RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the MX Brown utilizes a nylon material, while the Wine Red employs a polycarbonate material. Similar to the top housing, the nylon bottom housing of the MX Brown generates a deeper and fuller sound, contributing to a more rounded sound profile. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Wine Red results in a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer plastic. The clear polycarbonate material of the Wine Red's bottom housing further enhances its appearance when combined with RGB lighting. While different in materials, both bottom housings greatly impact the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down.
It should be noted that if a switch features different top and bottom housings, the qualities associated with each material will be distributed between the two. When pressing down on a key, the bottom housing's characteristics will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing will play a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Although the Cherry MX Brown and the KTT Wine Red may differ in their housing materials, they both offer distinct sound profiles depending on the keypress action, providing versatility and options for users seeking specific auditory experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, both switches have a bottom out force of 55 grams, which falls into the medium-light category. However, the actuation force differs slightly between the two switches. The Cherry MX Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the KTT Wine Red has an actuation force of 44 grams. Both switches can provide a relatively light typing experience, allowing for longer periods of use without causing fatigue. If you prefer a lighter typing feel, either switch would be suitable. On the other hand, if you desire a slightly stronger push for a more substantial typing experience, the Cherry MX Brown with its 45-gram actuation force would be the better choice. Overall, the weight of a switch is an important factor to consider based on individual preferences, as it can greatly impact typing comfort and endurance.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch have the same 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 tactile experience for the user with their 4 mm travel distance. So, whether you choose the Cherry MX Brown or the KTT Wine Red, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance of the switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Brown 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
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is known for its subtle qualities. When typing on these switches, users will experience a relatively light typing experience accompanied by gentle tactility. The audio feedback is also subdued, making for a quieter typing experience. The MX Brown switches have a bassy sound profile, which adds depth and richness to the typing sound. The low-pitched nature of these switches further enhances the mellow and bass-heavy tones during key presses. It's important to note that the sound of the MX Brown switch will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch offers a different typing experience. These switches provide a pillowy light type feel, creating a softer sensation compared to the MX Brown switches. The sound profile of the Wine Red switch is deep and rich, similar to the MX Brown switch. It also has bassy characteristics that result in a lower frequency range during key presses. The low-pitched nature of the Wine Red switch further contributes to a more mellow and bass-heavy sound profile. Just like with the MX Brown switch, the sound of the Wine Red switch can be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
In conclusion, both the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch offer their own unique qualities. The MX Brown switch provides a subtly tactile typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. It has a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding depth and richness to the typing sound. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch offers a pillowy light type feel and a deep, rich sound profile. Both switches have similar sound characteristics, but the MX Brown switch is described as textured, while the feel of the Wine Red switch is unknown. Overall, if you enjoy a light and tactile typing experience with a quiet but rich sound, the MX Brown switch would be a great choice. If you prefer a softer and smoother typing feel with a deep sound profile, the Wine Red switch would be a suitable option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a subtler tactile feedback and a lighter typing experience, the Cherry MX Brown switches would be a great option for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a medium-light typing experience with gentle tactility and a subdued audio feedback. They are known for their subtlety and are favored by users who prefer a lighter touch.
On the other hand, if you enjoy a pillowy light typing feel and a deep, rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red switches would be a fantastic choice. These linear switches also have a bottom out force of 55 grams, making them medium-light in terms of actuation force. The Wine Red switches offer a satisfyingly deep and rich sound when typing on them, and they provide an intoxicatingly light typing experience.
Overall, when it comes to sound, both switches are described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. However, when it comes to feel, the MX Brown switches have a textured feel with noticeable friction, while information regarding the feel of the Wine Red switches is not provided.
Ultimately, the choice between the Cherry MX Brown and KTT Wine Red switches depends on your personal preferences. If you value a gentle tactile feedback, a lighter typing experience, and a textured feel, the MX Browns would be suitable for you. However, if you prefer a pillowy light typing feel and a deep, rich sound, the Wine Red switches would be a great option. Consider the characteristics that are most important to you and choose the switch that aligns with your typing preferences. Whether you opt for subtlety or an intoxicatingly light typing experience, both switches offer their own unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
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