KTT Orange vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, it's important to consider your personal preferences and typing style. Two popular options to consider are the KTT Orange and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches. The KTT Orange switches are known for their bouncy type feel, featuring a polycarbonate milky top housing, a long pole POM stem, and a vivid orange nylon bottom housing. These switches provide a slick, frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switches by Wuque are designed to elevate your office and work experience. These linear switches feature ingeniously designed stem railings with discreet cutouts, reducing switch noise while delivering unparalleled responsiveness and a satisfying bottom-out. Unlike traditional silent switches, the WS Silent Linear switches offer a distinct typing experience without silicone dampeners, providing a seamless blend of tranquility and precision. Both switches have their unique qualities, catering to different preferences. 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
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Orange and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear differ in terms of the materials used for their top and bottom housings. The Orange features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the WS Silent Linear utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing. These material differences result in distinct sound profiles for both switches.
The polycarbonate top housing of the Orange creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to the softer nature of nylon. Nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Similarly, the polycarbonate and nylon bottom housings of the Orange and WS Silent Linear respectively also contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the Orange complements its top housing, providing a sharper and crisper sound when bottoming out a key. Conversely, the softer nylon bottom housing of the WS Silent Linear absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings influence different aspects of the switch's sound and feel. When pressing down a key, the qualities of the bottom housing are more noticeable, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in their housing materials, both the KTT Orange and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear offer unique and desirable sound profiles for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Orange linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch, there are some notable differences. The KTT Orange has an actuation force of 46 grams, which is on the lighter side, while the WS Silent Linear's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the KTT Orange has a bottom out force of 53 grams, which is slightly heavier compared to the WS Silent Linear's bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that typing on the KTT Orange switch may provide a lighter touch during actuation, but a slightly heavier feel when fully pressed down, while the WS Silent Linear may offer a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference - those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming may lean towards the KTT Orange, while individuals who desire a stronger push and more pronounced keystrokes may find the WS Silent Linear to be a better fit.
Travel distance
The KTT Orange linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.5mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of the distance you feel when typing.
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 Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear comes in at $4.20 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
In terms of sound, the KTT Orange switch is best described as having a low-pitched sound profile. This means that the switch produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switch is described as having a neutral, muted, and subdued sound. This means that the switch produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, offering a more subtle and dampened sound signature. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Generally, if you are looking for a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Orange switch would be a suitable choice, while the WS Silent Linear switch would provide a more neutral and quiet typing experience.
In terms of feel, the KTT Orange switch is known for providing a bouncy and frictionless typing experience. The use of a 22mm long spring gives the keys a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, providing a lively feel with rebound when pressed. Additionally, the switch offers a smooth and effortless typing experience by minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switch is described as offering a mild typing experience. This means that the switch provides a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. While specific information about the WS Silent Linear switch's feel is not provided, it can be inferred that it will provide a comfortable and versatile typing experience suitable for most users.
Based on the available information, the KTT Orange and WS Silent Linear switches offer different subjective qualities. The KTT Orange switch has a low-pitched sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone, as well as a bouncy and frictionless feel, offering a spring-like feedback and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switch has a neutral, muted, and subdued sound, offering a softer and quieter typing experience. The exact feel of the WS Silent Linear switch is not explicitly described, but it is characterized as mild, which suggests a gentle and comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preferences, with the KTT Orange switch providing a more lively and low-pitched experience, while the WS Silent Linear switch offers a more neutral, muted, and gentle typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a slick, frictionless typing experience and a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Orange linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams, these switches offer a bouncy feel and a smooth key travel thanks to their factory-lubing. On the other hand, if you value a typing experience with reduced switch noise and unparalleled responsiveness, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch would be more suitable. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, these switches masterfully reduce switch noise and deliver a satisfying bottom-out without the use of silicone dampeners. The WS Silent Linear switches offer a muted and subdued sound, making them appropriate for office and work environments. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your preference for sound and feel, as well as the specific requirements of your typing environment.
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