KTT Pine vs. Bsun Taichi

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Pine and Bsun Taichi present two intriguing options, each catering to unique preferences and typing experiences. The KTT Pine, with its medium-heavy actuation and buttery smooth feel, is built for those who crave an effortless typing experience. Its polished, factory-lubed finish ensures minimal friction, resulting in a delightful and consistent key travel. Often described as ‘bassy’ and ‘creamy,’ the Pine switch offers a gravitation to deeper tones that can add a unique character to your keystrokes. In contrast, the Bsun Taichi features a long-pole stem and extended springs that deliver a high-pitched bottom-out sound, appealing to users who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. It’s designed for unparalleled smoothness and stability, making it ideal for those who prioritize a striking sound profile with their keystrokes. Both switches offer distinct advantages depending on what you value most in your typing experience. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

KTT Pine Linear

Bsun Taichi Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

$2.75

$2.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Pine and the Bsun Taichi switches are both constructed with a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to their sound profiles in a notably similar way. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of both switches leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound perception. This is a result of polycarbonate's stiffness, which not only enhances clarity but also leads to a more resonant sound profile. Aesthetically, both switches take advantage of the translucency of polycarbonate, making them particularly compatible with RGB lighting. Consequently, users can expect a vibrant illumination effect that complements the overall performance and sound output of the switches, whether they choose the KTT Pine or the Bsun Taichi.

In contrast to their similar top housings, the bottom housing materials differ significantly. The KTT Pine utilizes polycarbonate, mirroring the upper half in terms of clarity and resonance. This choice results in a consistent sound profile throughout the switch, allowing for a sharper bottom-out sound. On the other hand, the Bsun Taichi features a nylon bottom housing, which introduces a distinct sound characteristic. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the sharper tones produced by polycarbonate. As such, the bottom-out experience of the Taichi will feel rounder and more subdued, highlighting the different auditory experiences offered by each switch.

Considering the differences between the bottom housing materials, users will notice the effect of the bottom and top housings during key presses. For the KTT Pine, the polycarbonate bottom housing will maintain the sharp and crisp characteristics from top to bottom, resulting in a more unified sound profile. In contrast, the Bsun Taichi's nylon bottom housing will temper the overall sharpness with its deeper tones upon bottoming out, while the polycarbonate top still maintains clarity on release. The dual-material nature of the Taichi provides a blend of sound qualities, creating a unique typing experience that contrasts with the more consistent sound characteristics of the KTT Pine.

Weight

The KTT Pine linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch present differing specifications in terms of actuation force, with the Pine requiring 45 grams to actuate compared to the Taichi’s lighter 40 grams. This difference indicates that the Taichi switch may be more suited for those who prefer a lighter touch, potentially allowing for extended typing or gaming sessions without fatigue. However, the bottom out force for the Taichi switch remains unspecified, making direct comparisons somewhat challenging; meanwhile, the Pine has a bottom out force of 58 grams, which is considered medium. Consequently, if the bottom out force for the Taichi were known, it could possibly reveal whether it remains lighter or if it offers a more substantial feel when fully pressed. Overall, with the current data, the KTT Pine is the heavier option, appealing to users who enjoy a stronger push feel, while the Taichi would be the choice for those favoring a lighter experience, assuming its bottom out characteristics align accordingly.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The KTT Pine features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Taichi offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Pine switch provides a more traditional and deeper typing experience, which can be beneficial for users who prefer a sturdy feel when pressing down on keys. On the other hand, the Taichi's 3.6 mm travel distance caters to those looking for quicker response times, making it particularly appealing for gamers and users who favor more rapid input. Thus, while both switches have their merits, the KTT Pine is the longer travel option, offering a more robust tactile feel, whereas the Bsun Taichi, being the shorter switch, is suited for those who prioritize faster actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine linear switch has a unique profile characterized by its bassy and low-pitched tones. The deeper and richer sound adds a pleasant depth during key presses, making for an engaging auditory experience. The Pine's sound reflects a lower frequency range, providing a mellow auditory output that many find enjoyable. On the other hand, the Bsun Taichi switch is noted for its enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, thanks to the long-pole stem and design features that contribute to a unique acoustic quality. While the KTT Pine produces a deeper, richer sound, the Taichi offers a contrast with a more pronounced pitch during key press. This difference in sonic characteristics allows users to choose based on personal preference for either a fuller bass sound with the Pine or a sharper tone with the Taichi.

In terms of feel, the KTT Pine linear switch excels at providing a buttery and creamy typing experience, delivering a smooth and fluid keystroke that's reminiscent of effortlessly gliding fingers across keys. The factory-lubed finish significantly minimizes friction, ensuring a seamless sensation with each action, which is perfect for long typing sessions where comfort is paramount. In contrast, the feel quality of the Bsun Taichi switch remains less defined, as there isn't specific feedback available. However, given its engineered features aimed at enhancing smoothness and stability, it can be assumed that the Taichi would offer a similarly pleasing typing experience, even if it lacks the specific descriptors of the Pine.

In summary, both the KTT Pine and Bsun Taichi linear switches cater to different auditory and tactile preferences. The Pine's bassy, low-pitched sound contrasts with the high-pitched tonality of the Taichi, allowing typists to choose based on their sonic inclination. Similarly, while the Pine is clearly defined by its buttery and creamy feel, the Taichi is presumed to provide a smooth experience thanks to its design, despite lacking comprehensive descriptors. Ultimately, selecting between these two switches may come down to personal preference for sound profile and typing sensation, as both promise to deliver enjoyable performance in line with the unique qualities each embodies.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch ultimately depends on your preferences for typing feel, sound, and the specific applications you have in mind. If you are looking for a medium-heavy switch that offers a buttery, smooth typing experience complemented by a richer, bassy sound, the KTT Pine is your go-to option. Its polished design minimizes friction, making it ideal for long typing sessions or casual gaming where comfort is paramount. On the other hand, if you appreciate a switch that delivers unparalleled smoothness and stability with a unique sound profile, the Bsun Taichi linear switch could be the better choice for you. Although the specific bottom-out force isn't provided, the Taichi's long-pole design and extended springs may appeal to those who enjoy a different tactile sensation while typing. Ultimately, both switches have distinctive qualities that cater to different user preferences, so consider what aspects matter most to you when making your decision.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Pine Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Taichi Linear

$2.75

$2.25 per 10

Learn more