KTT Pine vs. TTC Yunhai

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Pine and the TTC Yunhai present two distinct choices for enthusiasts and casual users alike, each offering unique characteristics tailored to different typing preferences. The KTT Pine switches are celebrated for their medium-heavy feel coupled with a silky smoothness, designed to provide an effortless typing experience. With their polished and factory-lubed finish, these switches deliver a satisfying tactile feedback along with a bassy and creamy sound profile, making them an appealing option for users who enjoy a robust and soothing typing sensation. Conversely, the TTC Yunhai switches stand out with their exceptionally light actuation force, allowing for a gentle and fluid keystroke that’s ideal for typists who favor a more delicate touch. This creates a unique typing experience characterized by a deep, rounded sound profile, which can enhance the overall ambiance of your workspace. Ultimately, both switches offer compelling advantages depending on your typing style and 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

KTT Pine Linear

TTC Yunhai Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

$7.50

$5.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Pine and the TTC Yunhai switches, we see notable differences in the choice of top housing materials. The Pine features a polycarbonate top housing, which is characterized by its stiffness. This stiffness contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is both crisp and clear. Conversely, the Yunhai utilizes a nylon top housing, valued for its softer characteristics that absorb sound more effectively. This results in a deeper, fuller sound profile that is rounder and more muted compared to the Pine. Aesthetically, the translucence of the polycarbonate in the Pine is particularly beneficial for RGB lighting applications, as it allows light to diffuse beautifully through the housing, enhancing the visual effect of the keyboard.

In terms of the bottom housing, the KTT Pine and TTC Yunhai follow a similar pattern, with the Pine maintaining its polycarbonate material. This consistency continues to evoke a sharper and crisper sound profile, reinforcing the overall auditory experience when typing. However, the Yunhai employs nylon for its bottom housing, which contributes to a heavier, more subdued feedback with each keystroke. The impact of a switch's sound and feel is heavily influenced by its bottom housing; thus, the Pine's continued use of polycarbonate ensures that its traits are pronounced throughout the switch. The Yunhai, by employing nylon, focuses instead on delivering a softer bottom-out sound, affecting the tactile and auditory sensations experienced by the user.

Ultimately, the differences in housing materials between the KTT Pine and TTC Yunhai result in distinct sound profiles and tactile feedback qualities. While the Pine's use of polycarbonate in both top and bottom housings creates a consistently sharp and resonant experience, the Yunhai offers a unique blend of sound absorption and warmth through its nylon material. Should one desire to achieve a combination of characteristics, such as the clarity of sound from the Pine and the warmth from the Yunhai, experimenting with different configurations or hybrids of these materials might yield blendable results, allowing users to customize their typing experience based on personal preference.

Weight

The KTT Pine and TTC Yunhai linear switches present a comparison of actuation and bottom out forces that caters to different typing preferences. The Pine switch features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, positioning it in the medium range. In contrast, the Yunhai switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a more suitable choice for users who prefer a softer touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. While the Pine provides a more substantial feel with its higher forces, the Yunhai’s lighter weight allows for easier keystrokes. Consequently, users who enjoy a strong push might favor the KTT Pine, while those looking for a lighter option should opt for the TTC Yunhai.

Travel distance

The KTT Pine linear switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch exhibit distinct differences in their travel distances, with the Pine switch measuring 4 mm and the Yunhai switch at 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Pine switch offers a longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial tactile feedback during key presses—appealing to users who favor a deeper feel when typing. In contrast, the Yunhai switch, with its shorter travel distance, may cater to gamers or those who prioritize quicker response times and a more rapid actuation. While both switches serve different preferences, the Pine’s longer 4 mm travel can be seen as more traditional, while the Yunhai aligns with the modern trend of shorter travel distances. Ultimately, users' choices will depend on their typing or gaming style, as those looking for enhanced responsiveness might lean towards the Yunhai, while those who appreciate a more pronounced key press may prefer the Pine.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine linear switches excel with their deep, bassy tones that give a richer and fuller auditory feedback during key presses. The low-pitched sound profile contributes to a satisfying acoustic environment, resonating with a deeper frequency that many typists find appealing. This sound can enhance the typing experience by offering a sense of depth and presence that complements the overall feel of the keyboard. In contrast, the TTC Yunhai switches do not have specific sound descriptors provided, leaving their acoustic qualities to be assessed but unclear. However, it's worth mentioning that the sound signature can significantly depend on the keyboard’s design and the choice of keycaps, which can alter the auditory feedback both switches ultimately deliver.

In terms of feel, the KTT Pine switches offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience characterized as buttery and creamy. The polished, factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, providing a seamless keystroke that glides effortlessly, making typing a pleasurable activity. The medium-heavy actuation force adds a bit of heft, rewarding typists with a solid feedback that feels grounded and satisfying. On the other hand, the TTC Yunhai switches provide an unspecified feel quality; however, their incredibly light actuation force implies a softer touch that may appeal to those who prefer an effortless and gentle typing experience. The contrast between the heavier Pine switches and the lighter Yunhai switches can greatly influence personal preference in tactile feedback while typing.

Overall, the KTT Pine linear switch stands out with its rich sound profile and smooth, buttery feel, making it a robust choice for those who appreciate depth in both auditory and tactile experiences. The TTC Yunhai, while less detailed in sound and feel descriptions, appears to cater to a different audience—those who may prefer a lighter touch during their typing sessions. Ultimately, both switches can potentially yield satisfying results depending on personal preferences in sound and touch, with the Pine offering a more substantial experience while Yunhai leans towards a gentler approach. This diversity allows newcomers to explore various sensations and auditory feedback, which can significantly enhance their overall mechanical keyboard experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, selecting between the KTT Pine linear switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. If you favor a slightly heavier switch that offers a more tactile and smooth experience, the KTT Pine would be an excellent choice. Its medium-bottom out force of 58 grams, combined with its buttery and creamy texture, ensures a satisfying typing experience, especially for those who appreciate a deeper, bassy sound profile during use. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter, more effortless feel, the TTC Yunhai switch, with its 50 grams of actuation force, is designed for gentler keystrokes and can be ideal for prolonged typing sessions where fatigue minimization is key. Ultimately, the Yunhai’s lighter touch and unique sound profile may resonate with typists who enjoy a softer auditory feedback. By considering how you type and what experience you wish to have—whether it’s the medium push of the Pine or the feather-light touch of the Yunhai—you can make a more informed decision that enhances your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Pine Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

TTC Yunhai Linear

$7.50

$5.99 per 10

Learn more