KTT Phalaenopsis vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the KTT Phalaenopsis and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Phalaenopsis and the Jwick Splash Brothers, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Phalaenopsis is a tactile switch, renowned for its beautiful translucent design and light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and reducing finger fatigue even during prolonged sessions. With a satisfying tactile bump of 50g, each keystroke is a delightful experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers are linear switches, inspired by the dynamic duo of Steph and Klay. These "speed" switches have a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, providing a great typing feel. In addition, they emit a creamy sound signature for a pleasant auditory experience. The Phalaenopsis is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Stepped', and 'Thocky', while the Splash Brothers fall under the categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. While these general pointers provide a glimpse into the benefits of each switch, 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
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The KTT Phalaenopsis and Jwick Splash Brothers switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice allows for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, resulting in clear and resonant sound characteristics. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly suitable for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar auditory experiences when using either the Phalaenopsis or the Splash Brothers switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Phalaenopsis and Splash Brothers switches diverge in their material choices. The Phalaenopsis features a polycarbonate bottom housing, mirroring its top housing material. This once again contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Meanwhile, the Splash Brothers adopts a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. As nylon is a softer plastic than polycarbonate, it absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This distinction in bottom housing materials can impact the overall typing experience and the sound produced upon bottoming out a key.
Overall, the impact of the housing materials in the Phalaenopsis and Splash Brothers switches is split between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Both switches provide distinctive auditory experiences due to this architectural choice. However, it is worth noting that similarities in the top housing material, polycarbonate, will likely result in comparable sound profiles and aesthetic qualities between the Phalaenopsis and the Splash Brothers switches.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Phalaenopsis has a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, making it effortless to trigger a keystroke, while the Splash Brothers' actuation force is unspecified. However, both switches have a light bottom out force, with the Phalaenopsis requiring 50 grams and the Splash Brothers requiring 48 grams to press all the way down.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Phalaenopsis more suitable for extended periods of typing or gaming, allowing them to type for longer without fatigue. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial and tactile typing experience might lean towards the Splash Brothers, as a heavier actuation force can provide a stronger push feel.
Despite the differences in actuation force, both switches offer a light bottom out force, resulting in similar results when fully pressing down. It is important to note that the actuation force of the Splash Brothers is unspecified, which may make it harder to determine its suitability for specific preferences.
In conclusion, the Phalaenopsis is lighter in terms of actuation force, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. The Splash Brothers, with an unknown actuation force, provides a lighter bottom out force, appealing to individuals who desire a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and typing requirements.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, the Phalaenopsis has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both distances fall within the range of typical switch travel distances, with 4 mm being more traditional and 3.5 mm on the shallower side. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times. Thus, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Splash Brothers with its 3.5 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt, and if you prefer a more substantial feeling when pressing down on a key, the Phalaenopsis with its 4 mm travel distance would be a better fit. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference for travel distance and the desired level of responsiveness.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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 KTT Phalaenopsis switches offer a bassy and thocky sound profile. The deep and rich bass tones give a sense of depth and richness during key presses, providing a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switches have a neutral sound profile. This means they produce a moderate sound, suitable for various purposes and preferences. The exact sound produced by both switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the KTT Phalaenopsis switches have a stepped feel. This means that they provide a tactile experience with two distinct stages. The keystroke has a mild bump, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switches offer a mild typing experience with a snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished feel. These switches are responsive, providing a lively and elastic feedback sensation. They offer a gentle resistance and smooth key travel, ensuring a sleek typing experience.
Based on the available information, the KTT Phalaenopsis switches provide a satisfying and discernible tactile bump, making each keystroke a delightful experience. They have a beautiful translucent design and offer an effortless typing experience with minimized finger fatigue. In terms of sound, they produce a bassy and thocky sound, characterized by a deep and rich profile. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switches are described as something special, with a shorter activation and a long pole stem for a great typing feel. They offer a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most purposes. They provide a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished feel, ensuring an approachable and responsive typing experience. Overall, both switches have their own unique qualities and can provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a light actuation force and a discernible tactile bump for a delightful typing experience, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch would be an excellent choice. These switches feature a bottom out force of 50 grams and provide a satisfying and effortless typing experience. They are also known for their bassy and thocky sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. Additionally, the Phalaenopsis switches have a stepped feel, providing some pre-travel and/or post-travel for a more mild tactile experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a creamy sound signature and a more gentle typing experience, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 48 grams, these switches offer a shorter activation and a long pole stem for a great typing feel. They are described as having a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished feel, making them approachable to most users. The Splash Brothers switches are also characterized by a neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Phalaenopsis and Jwick Splash Brothers switches depends on your preferences for actuation force, tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider your typing style, desired sound, and overall typing experience to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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