Outemu Silver vs. KTT Phalaenopsis
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silver and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silver and KTT Phalaenopsis offer different experiences for users. The silver is a linear switch, known for its smooth keystrokes and consistent feel. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis is a tactile switch beloved for its beautiful translucent design and light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and minimizing finger fatigue. The Phalaenopsis also features a satisfying tactile bump of 50g, ensuring each keystroke is a delightful experience. While the Silver is categorized as linear, the Phalaenopsis offers a unique typing experience with its bassy, stepped, thocky characteristics. 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
45g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Silver and the KTT Phalaenopsis utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, which enhances resonance and clarity. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to showcase RGB lighting. Despite this similarity in top housing material, the differences lie in the bottom housing of the switches. The Silver opts for a nylon bottom housing, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile with its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound, while the Phalaenopsis sticks with polycarbonate for its bottom housing, maintaining a consistent sharp and resonant sound profile throughout.
The choice of housing materials in the Outemu Silver and KTT Phalaenopsis plays a significant role in how the switches sound and feel during use. The nylon bottom housing of the Silver offers a different tactile experience compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Phalaenopsis. Typing on the Silver will elicit a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, the Phalaenopsis, with its polycarbonate bottom housing, maintains sharpness and clarity in sound production, providing a crisper typing experience. These subtle differences in bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall feel and sound of the switches, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
While both the Outemu Silver and the KTT Phalaenopsis utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a consistent sharp and resonant sound profile throughout their keystrokes, they differ in their choice of bottom housing materials. The Silver's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound experience, while the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This distinction in bottom housing material results in a varied typing experience between the two switches, catering to different preferences in sound and feel. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials determines the overall acoustics and tactility of a switch, allowing for customized typing experiences based on individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silver linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, it is evident that the Silver switch is the heavier option with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Phalaenopsis switch is lighter with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. The Silver switch provides a more substantial typing experience due to its higher force requirements, while the Phalaenopsis switch allows for a lighter touch, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on user preference, with the Silver switch catering to those who prefer a stronger push feel, and the Phalaenopsis switch appealing to those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In terms of weight, the Silver switch falls in the medium-heavy category, whereas the Phalaenopsis switch is considered light, providing users with options to choose based on their typing style and preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silver linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. These switches provide a consistent amount of travel distance for users to feel when pressing down on a key. This means that whether you choose the Silver or the Phalaenopsis, you can expect a similar tactile experience in terms of travel distance. Both switches offer a comfortable and satisfying typing experience for users who prefer linear or tactile switches, respectively. Overall, the travel distance of these switches contributes to their overall performance and feel when used for typing or gaming purposes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Phalaenopsis has an MSRP of $4.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Phalaenopsis for $4.15.
The Outemu Silver comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Silver switch is known for its silence, while the KTT Phalaenopsis switch offers a unique auditory experience. The Phalaenopsis switch produces a bassy and thocky sound, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. This can enhance the overall typing experience, especially for those who enjoy a more robust and satisfying sound profile. 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.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Silver switch has unspecified qualities, while the KTT Phalaenopsis switch is described as having a stepped feel. A stepped switch offers a more subtle tactile experience with two distinct stages, providing a slight pre-travel and post-travel sensation. This can add a layer of complexity to the typing feel, offering a unique sensation for each keystroke.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silver and KTT Phalaenopsis switches offer different subjective qualities that cater to varying preferences. While the Silver switch remains undefined in terms of sound and feel, the Phalaenopsis switch provides a bassy and thocky sound profile alongside a stepped feel, ensuring a distinctive typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. However, if a user enjoys a more pronounced tactile bump and a richer sound profile, the Phalaenopsis switch may be the preferred choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Silver linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, you should consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth linear feel, the Outemu Silver may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force with a satisfying tactile bump and effortless typing experience, the KTT Phalaenopsis switch is a great option. Additionally, if you appreciate a bassy and thocky sound profile, the Phalaenopsis switch may be more appealing to you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall typing experience.
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