KTT Orange vs. HMX Twilight

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Orange and HMX Twilight present two intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear typing experience. The KTT Orange is notable for its 22mm long spring, which gives it a bouncy feel that many users find satisfying. Its polycarbonate milky top housing and vivid orange nylon bottom, combined with a long pole POM stem, ensure a frictionless typing experience and a low-pitched sound profile. This switch excels due to its factory lubrication, which minimizes friction and enhances smoothness, making it ideal for those who prioritize a refined keystroke feel. In contrast, the HMX Twilight boasts an extended 3.85mm travel distance, offering users a slightly quieter auditory experience while still capturing the essence of what has made HMX switches popular. Each switch caters to different preferences: the KTT Orange for those who crave a bouncy and smooth feel, and the HMX Twilight for users who appreciate a longer travel distance with a subtle clack. 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 Twilight Linear

$5.55

$4.15 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the KTT Orange and the HMX Twilight, a striking difference lies in the materials used for their top housings. The KTT Orange features a polycarbonate top housing, celebrated for its acoustic clarity. This stiffer plastic material contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience with a crisp, higher-pitched tone. Additionally, the translucence of polycarbonate makes the Orange particularly well-suited for RGB lighting configurations, allowing dynamic light effects to shine through beautifully. In contrast, the HMX Twilight employs a nylon top housing, which brings a fundamentally different auditory experience. Nylon's softer properties result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, leading to a more subdued typing acoustics that tends to absorb sound rather than amplify it. Therefore, choosing between these two switches will ultimately influence the sound signature of your keyboard.

The bottom housings of the KTT Orange and HMX Twilight further exemplify their differing sound profiles. The KTT Orange continues its theme of clarity with a polycarbonate bottom housing, mirroring the sharper acoustic characteristics of the top housing. This creates a cohesive sound experience across both parts of the switch, yielding a consistent resonance that sharpens the typing feedback. In contrast, the Twilight's nylon bottom housing complements its top housing's sound-dampening qualities, resulting in an overall deeper and rounder tone when bottoming out. Here, the nylon absorbs sound efficiently, resulting in a quieter, more muted experience that caters to users looking for a less intrusive typing environment. Thus, the materials chosen for the bottom part of the housing exert a significant influence on the typing experience.

Moreover, the interplay between top and bottom housing materials highlights how they work together to form distinct acoustic properties in these switches. In switches where the top and bottom housings differ, each material's qualities can create a unique auditory blend. With the KTT Orange, the combination of polycarbonate in both housings delivers a clear and crisp sound profile, reinforcing its high-pitched characteristics throughout typing. Conversely, the HMX Twilight’s use of nylon in both housings allows for a supportive acoustic atmosphere that emphasizes deep and rich tones. Hence, the chosen materials lead to significant variances in user experience, affecting the tactile feedback and sound signature of a keyboard while catering to individual preferences for auditory feedback.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Orange linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, we find notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The KTT Orange requires an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In contrast, the HMX Twilight has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that those who prefer a lighter typing experience will gravitate more toward the Twilight, as it is easier to press and requires less force. Meanwhile, the KTT Orange, being slightly heavier, caters to users seeking a more substantial push feel, ideal for those who enjoy a firmer typing experience. Ultimately, while both switches provide a smooth linear feel, the Twilight offers a lighter touch, while the Orange delivers more resistance for those who prefer it.

Travel distance

The KTT Orange linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch exhibit notable differences in travel distance, which impacts their feel and responsiveness. The KTT Orange switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the shorter option, while the HMX Twilight switch features a longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This difference means that users who favor quicker response times, such as gamers, may lean towards the KTT Orange for its more immediate actuation. Conversely, the Twilight's increased travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial depth, offering a more pronounced feel when pressing down on the key. Overall, the choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to individual preferences regarding responsiveness versus depth in action.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Orange switch is characterized by its low-pitched sound profile, lending a more bass-heavy and mellow tone to your typing experience. This makes it a great option for users who prefer a subtler auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the HMX Twilight switch is designed with an extended travel distance, which may contribute to a slightly quieter sound but also maintains the signature clacky characteristics typical of HMX switches. While the specifics of the sound quality for the Twilight are not detailed, its description suggests that it leans towards a sound profile that could be less pronounced than the KTT Orange.

In terms of feel, the KTT Orange switch truly shines with its bouncy feedback and frictionless travel. The 22mm long spring offers a lively, spring-like response with a significant rebound when keys are pressed, making for an engaging typing experience. The smooth action is further enhanced by its factory lubrication, which minimizes friction and maximizes comfort. Unfortunately, the feel of the HMX Twilight switch remains undefined in this capacity, so a direct comparison is challenging.

In conclusion, while both the KTT Orange and HMX Twilight linear switches share some common traits in the realm of smooth typing experiences, they also differ notably in their sound profiles. The KTT Orange is specifically praised for its low-pitched sound and bouncy, frictionless feel, whereas the Twilight's quieter nature and extended travel distance suggest a different character altogether. Ultimately, if you're looking for a typing experience that is more refined and lively, the KTT Orange may be the better choice, while the HMX Twilight could offer a different, though unspecified, pleasure. Both switches, however, promise a smooth and satisfying experience, catering to different preferences within the linear switch landscape.

Conclusion

To wrap up, choosing between the KTT Orange and HMX Twilight linear switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing needs. You might prefer the KTT Orange switch if you enjoy a bouncy and frictionless typing experience with a medium-light bottom-out force that provides tactile feedback without being overly taxing. Its low-pitched sound profile makes it a great option for quieter environments where a calm and contained audio signature is appreciated. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something even lighter with slightly quieter keystrokes, the HMX Twilight could be your best bet. With its 50 grams of bottom-out force and a longer travel distance of 3.85mm, it offers a softer touch that may appeal to those who favor a lighter keypress. The twilight's design also maintains a bouncier feel, but with a focus on a quieter, more subtle experience. In essence, select the KTT Orange for a more engaging and robust typing sensation, while the HMX Twilight suits a preference for a lighter, quieter, and still enjoyable typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Orange Linear

$5.55

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

HMX Twilight Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more