KTT Phalaenopsis vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the KTT Phalaenopsis and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Phalaenopsis and the KTT Pine offer unique experiences suited to different preferences. The Phalaenopsis stands out with its beautiful translucent design and light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. With its tactile force of 50g, it provides a satisfying and discernible tactile bump, ensuring each keystroke is a delightful experience. On the other hand, the Pine boasts a medium-heavy feel and a buttery smooth texture, providing an effortless typing experience. Its polished, factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, resulting in smooth key travel. Categorized as bassy, stepped, and thocky, the Phalaenopsis offers a unique tactile feedback, while the Pine, categorized as bassy, buttery, creamy, and low-pitched, impresses with its smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The KTT Phalaenopsis and KTT Pine both use polycarbonate as their top and bottom housing materials. This choice of material creates a similar experience in terms of sound profile. The polycarbonate housing in both switches contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as it enhances the visual effects. Therefore, users can expect a comparable sound experience and aesthetics from both the Phalaenopsis and Pine switches.
While the top and bottom housings of the Phalaenopsis and Pine switches are both made of polycarbonate, there may still be slight differences in their performance. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, meaning that the texture and impact of the switch will be more noticeable during key presses. On the other hand, the top housing of the switch, which also utilizes polycarbonate, will impact the sound when releasing a key. This distinction is important to consider as it may affect the overall typing experience and the user's preference for a softer or sharper sound when letting go of keys.
In conclusion, the housing materials used by the KTT Phalaenopsis and KTT Pine switches are essentially the same, as they both employ polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings. This consistent use of polycarbonate ensures a similar sound profile characterized by sharpness, higher pitch, and crispness. The transparency of polycarbonate also allows for the incorporation of RGB lighting effects. However, it is crucial to note that the bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key. Understanding these nuances can help users make an informed decision based on their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Phalaenopsis switch has a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. In contrast, the Pine switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams. This means that the Pine switch requires slightly more force to trigger a keystroke and has a slightly more substantial typing experience compared to the Phalaenopsis switch. However, both switches fall within the lighter to medium range in terms of force required, making them suitable choices for those who prefer lighter switches for longer typing periods or gaming sessions. So, while the Pine switch is slightly heavier than the Phalaenopsis, they both provide similar results in terms of weight considerations.
Travel distance
The KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches travel the same distance from the top to the bottom when pressed. Whether you choose the Phalaenopsis or the Pine switch, you can expect a consistent travel distance of 4 mm, providing a similar typing experience in terms of key press feel. Thus, the travel distances for both switches are equal, ensuring comparable results for users.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is known for its beautiful translucent appearance and light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and minimizing finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. It also features a satisfying and discernible tactile bump with a 50g tactile force, ensuring a delightful typing experience. In terms of sound, the Phalaenopsis switch has a bassy and thocky sound profile. The bassy sound offers a deeper and richer tone during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The thocky sound produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released.
On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch boasts a translucent, forest green appearance and is described as medium-heavy and buttery smooth. Its polished, factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, resulting in smooth key travel. The Pine switch offers an effortless typing experience with a uniform typing sensation. In terms of sound, the Pine switch also has a bassy sound profile, similar to the Phalaenopsis switch. Additionally, it has a low-pitched sound, which provides a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches.
Based on the available information, both switches offer a bassy sound profile, which provides a deeper and richer tone during key presses. They also share similarities in terms of feeling, with the Pine switch being described as buttery and creamy, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The Phalaenopsis switch is described as stepped, providing a mild tactile sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Overall, whether you choose the Phalaenopsis or Pine switch, you can expect an enjoyable typing experience with unique sound and feel characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, it would be a great choice for those who prefer a lighter actuation force and a satisfying tactile bump with each keystroke. Its bottom out force of 50 grams ensures a delightful typing experience while minimizing finger fatigue. Additionally, the Phalaenopsis offers a bassy and thocky sound profile, providing a deep and rich sound during key presses. Its feel can be described as stepped, providing a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly heavier actuation force and a smooth typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch would be a suitable option. With its bottom out force of 58 grams, the Pine offers a balance between ease of typing and key stability. Its polished, factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, resulting in a buttery smooth key travel. The Pine also produces a bassy and low-pitched sound, adding a sense of depth and mellowness to your typing experience.
Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch will depend on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a lighter actuation force and a discernible tactile bump, the Phalaenopsis would be a great fit. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force and a smooth, effortless typing experience, the Pine would be more suitable. Consider your typing style, desired sound profile, and desired key feel when making your decision.
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