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KTT Purple Click vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor

An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Click and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the KTT Purple Click and the Haimu Viola Tricolor. The Purple Click is widely recognized for its distinguishing feature - a satisfying high-pitched click that adds an invigorating crunchiness to each keystroke. With its light keypress, this switch strikes the perfect balance between being tactile and not overwhelming. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor stands out with its thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing experience. These switches offer a pronounced tactility, delivering satisfying feedback without crossing the line into excessive tactility. Categorized as low-pitched and accented, the Viola Tricolor strikes a different balance, providing a sharper sensation without overwhelming the user. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

40g

Actuation force

N/A

Bottom-out force

55g

Bottom-out force

63.5g

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Pre-travel

N/A

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.80 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

Nylon

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

18mm spring

Spring

Dual-staged gold-plated spring

Housing materials

The KTT Purple Click and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it a practical option for those who desire visual effects in their keyboard. Therefore, in terms of sound and aesthetics, users can expect similar results from both the Purple Click and the Viola Tricolor due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.

However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the switches differ as the Purple Click utilizes nylon while the Viola Tricolor also incorporates nylon as its bottom housing material. Nylon is known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This characteristic creates a duller and rounder sound when pressing down on the switch. While both switches benefit from nylon's sound-absorption properties, the variation in bottom housing materials may result in different levels of impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on these switches.

In summary, the KTT Purple Click and the Haimu Viola Tricolor share the use of polycarbonate in their top housing, resulting in similar sound and aesthetic qualities. However, their bottom housing materials, nylon for the Purple Click and the Viola Tricolor, may bring about variations in the bottom-out sound and feel. Users can enjoy the benefits of a clearer and resonant sound profile from the polycarbonate top housing in both switches, while also experiencing the deeper and fuller sound profile provided by the nylon bottom housing, albeit potentially with slightly different characteristics depending on the switch.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Purple Click has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, classifying it as medium-light. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor's actuation force is unavailable, leaving it unknown, but its bottom out force is 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy. Therefore, the Viola Tricolor is slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force compared to the Purple Click.

Considering weight, the lighter actuation force of the Purple Click could be appealing to those who value longer typing periods, which is advantageous for work or extended gaming sessions. On the contrary, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience might opt for the Viola Tricolor with its heavier bottom out force. By choosing the Viola Tricolor, users can enjoy a stronger push feel while typing.

Although the Purple Click's actuation force and the Viola Tricolor's bottom out force differ, it is important to note that both switches aim to offer a tactile typing experience. While the Viola Tricolor's actuation force remains unknown, users can expect similar results in terms of actuation since both switches are designed to provide tactile feedback. Ultimately, the decision between these switches would depend on the preference of the user, whether they prioritize a lighter or heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the KTT Purple Click clicky switch is 4.0mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Purple Click being slightly longer and the Viola Tricolor being slightly shorter. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Viola Tricolor's shorter travel distance, as it allows for quicker actuation of the key. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Purple Click's longer travel distance. It's important to consider the level of responsiveness and depth that suits individual typing preferences.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The KTT Purple Click has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Click for $2.55.

The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.

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

In terms of sound, the Purple Click switch is best known for its high-pitched, satisfying click. Typing on these switches produces a crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. This switch also offers a resonant sound profile, providing a clean and sharp auditory experience. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switch is characterized by a thuddy and punchy sound. It offers a deeper and richer sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Viola Tricolor produces a lower-pitched sound compared to the Purple Click. Keep in mind that the sound of these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Purple Click switch provides an invigorating typing sensation. It offers pronounced feedback and a snappy feel, creating an immersive experience for the user. Additionally, this switch is described as stepped, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback. There is a noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving it a more mild tactile feel compared to hypertactile switches. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switch is described as accented. It falls into the category of a medium tactile switch, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Like the Purple Click, the Viola Tricolor also offers an invigorating typing sensation, with pronounced feedback and a snappy feel.

Taking all the available information into consideration, the Purple Click switch excels in providing a high-pitched clicky sound and a light yet pronounced tactile feedback. It strikes a perfect equilibrium between the two, offering a satisfying typing experience without overwhelming the user. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch stands out with its thuddy and punchy sound profile and a medium amount of tactility that adds character to typing. Both switches provide invigorating typing sensations and moderate to firm actuation forces. Therefore, if you are looking for a similar result with a different sound profile, the Viola Tricolor may be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a satisfying click and a balanced tactile experience, the KTT Purple Click clicky switch would be a great option. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, this switch provides light keystrokes while still offering pronounced tactility. The signature attribute of the Purple Click is its high-pitched, satisfying click, which adds a level of excitement to your typing experience. Additionally, the sound profile of the Purple Click is described as crunchy and resonant, resembling stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves and providing an immersive auditory experience.

On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a more thuddy and punchy sound profile, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch would be the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches offer a sharper sensation without overwhelming the user. The Viola Tricolor switches strike a balance between tactility and comfort, providing a satisfying feedback without being too tactile. The sound profile of the Viola Tricolor is described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses.

In terms of feel, both the Purple Click and the Viola Tricolor switches provide an invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback. However, the Purple Click is also described as having a stepped feel, meaning it has two stages of keystrokes with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor is described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle.

Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy a higher-pitched click and a lighter keystroke with a crunchy sound profile, go for the Purple Click. If you prefer a thuddy sound profile with a sharper tactile sensation, the Viola Tricolor would be the better choice. Consider your typing style, preferences, and desired typing experience when making your decision.

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