KTT Orange vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Orange and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switches stand out as two intriguing options for different preferences. The KTT Orange is celebrated for its bouncy and frictionless typing experience, thanks to its robust 22mm long spring and expertly crafted components that include a polycarbonate milky top housing and a vibrant orange nylon bottom. Its low-pitched sound profile, combined with excellent factory lubrication, makes it an excellent choice for those who value smooth key travel without the distracting noise. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offers a unique, whisper-quiet experience ideal for typists seeking a serene environment. With a balanced 53g bottom-out force, it ensures light yet satisfying keystrokes, making it perfect for both typing and gaming while maintaining a tranquil atmosphere. Both switches have distinct advantages that cater to different user needs, whether one is looking for an energetic, frictionless feel or a soft, silent touch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Orange Linear

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$5.55

$4.15 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Orange and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches both exhibit distinct characteristics due to their differing top housings. The KTT Orange utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sound profile that is sharper and crisper. This property is attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, leading to a clearer resonance that often enhances the experience of typing, especially in scenarios involving RGB lighting, where its translucency plays a crucial role. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g features a nylon top housing, known for producing a deeper and rounder sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound vibrations, resulting in a duller acoustic profile that can be appealing for users seeking a quieter typing experience. Thus, while both switches might serve similar functions, their sound profiles diverge significantly based on the materials used for the top housing.

Interestingly, the bottom housings of both switches are made from polycarbonate, which generates a consistently sharper and crisper sound regardless of the differing top materials. The KTT Orange’s polycarbonate bottom housing reinforces this clarity and brightness in sound, ensuring a sonorous typing experience. The Silent Sakura - 53g's polycarbonate bottom housing introduces a similar sound character to its switch as well, ensuring that when the key is bottomed out, the feedback remains resonant and defined. This similarity in bottom housing material reflects a shared intention to maintain a consistent auditory experience during key presses, even as the top housings impart distinct qualities.

Ultimately, the variation in housing materials affects how the user experiences the switch, particularly in terms of the sound profile produced. While the KTT Orange provides a crisper and higher-pitched feedback due to its polycarbonate top, the Silent Sakura embraces a smoother and fuller sound with its nylon housing. However, because both switches have polycarbonate bottoms, they share a common ground that maintains that characteristic brightness when the key is actuated. Consequently, while users will notice differences during the typing experience based upon the materials used, both switches can yield similar auditory results through their polycarbonate bottoms, highlighting the interplay and influence of housing materials in mechanical switches.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Orange linear switch to the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, both options present unique handling characteristics despite their similar bottom-out forces. The KTT Orange features an actuation force of 46 grams, while the Silent Sakura requires a slightly lighter force of 45 grams to register a keystroke. This means that the HMX Silent Sakura is marginally lighter in terms of actuation, making it potentially more comfortable for extended typing sessions, especially for users who favor a lighter touch. Both switches share an identical bottom-out force of 53 grams, indicating that once pressed fully down, they provide the same level of resistance. Therefore, while both switches are categorized as medium-light, the KTT Orange offers a slightly heavier actuation experience, which might appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Orange linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, a notable difference is evident. The KTT Orange switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the shorter option between the two. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offers a greater travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the traditional preference for longer key presses. This distinction in travel distances suggests that the KTT Orange may be a better choice for gamers or those seeking quicker response times, as shorter travel distances typically contribute to faster actuation. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura's longer travel distance may cater to users who prefer a more tactile and profound key press experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the KTT Orange switch is known for its low-pitched tone, creating a richer, bass-heavy auditory experience that many typists find pleasing. The lower frequency profile contributes to a more subdued sound, making it suitable for quieter environments. On the other hand, since the description of the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch emphasizes its whisper-quiet operation, it is designed to be extremely subdued, providing a nearly silent experience reminiscent of gentle raindrops. However, as sound can also be influenced by the keyboard or keycaps used, achieving a similar auditory experience with both switches may be possible depending on the build.

When considering feel, the KTT Orange switch boasts a bouncy characteristic, providing an elastic feedback sensation that enhances the overall typing experience. Users will enjoy a lively and spring-like response, along with a frictionless travel due to the excellent factory lubing. This minimizes resistance and maximizes smoothness, making it a joy to type on. The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch, while not as detailed in its tactile feedback description, focuses on delivering a light and satisfying keystroke. The balanced 53g bottom-out force suggests a comfortable typing experience, though the specific tactile qualities remain unspecified.

In conclusion, both the KTT Orange and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches offer unique attributes catering to different preferences. The KTT Orange stands out for its bouncy and frictionless feel, along with a pleasing low-pitched sound profile, making it appealing to those who enjoy an engaging typing sensation. Conversely, the Silent Sakura prioritizes a whisper-quiet experience and light keystroke feel, targeting users who may work in shared environments or prefer minimal noise. While there are distinct features between the two, both can provide satisfying results depending on individual preferences and setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the KTT Orange linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific preferences and typing environment. If you enjoy a bouncy, frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Orange is your ideal option. It's perfect for users who appreciate a lively feedback sensation, making every keystroke feel engaging, whether for gaming or general typing tasks. On the other hand, if you find yourself needing a quieter switch for a more serene workspace or to avoid disturbing others, the Silent Sakura - 53g would be more suitable. Its whisper-quiet operation, paired with the same 53g bottom-out force, offers a satisfying keystroke without the distraction of noise, allowing you to maintain focus in shared environments. Ultimately, consider how each switch aligns with your typing style and surroundings to select the one that best meets your needs.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Orange Linear

$5.55

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more