KTT Purple Star vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Star and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Purple Star and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g present two intriguing options, each with its own unique characteristics tailored to different typing preferences. The KTT Purple Star is celebrated for its all-POM construction, offering a buttery smooth typing experience with a mild, low-pitched sound that makes it ideal for users who prioritize ease and comfort. With a bottom-out force of 45g, this switch caters well to light typists, ensuring that each keystroke is effortlessly responsive. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g takes the experience to a new level of tranquility, engineered for those who value silence in their typing adventures. This ultra-light switch, with a bottom-out force of just 43g, provides a whisper-quiet experience reminiscent of gentle raindrops, making it a perfect choice for environments where noise reduction is key. Ultimately, while both switches target the light typist demographic, their nuanced differences—smoothness and sound signature—offer varied experiences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Purple Star and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches showcase distinct housing materials that significantly impact their overall acoustic profiles. The Purple Star features a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, which is known for producing a deep and muted sound. This quality encourages a unique auditory experience that is both pleasing and distinctive. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g utilizes a nylon top housing, revered for its traditional characteristics that foster a similarly deep and fuller sound profile. Despite the different materials, both switches share an affinity for producing sound profiles that lean towards the deeper end of the spectrum, suggesting that users can expect a satisfying auditory feedback when typing, although the nuances in tonality may differ slightly.
When examining the bottom housings, the KTT Purple Star employs POM once more, which maintains the acoustic theme of generating a muted sound. Meanwhile, the Silent Sakura - 43g switches to polycarbonate for its bottom housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the material's inherent rigidity. Polycarbonate's harder nature often leads to a more pronounced acoustical response, making it an interesting contrast when paired with the softer nylon top. While the Purple Star's bottom housing reinforces a muted and pleasantly deep resonance, the Silent Sakura's polycarbonate bottom offers a higher-pitched and clearer auditory result. This divergence creates a nuanced experience for users who pay close attention to the tactile and auditory feedback of their switches.
Ultimately, the combination of materials in both switches, while differing in composition, contributes to a collectively satisfying typing experience with unique auditory characteristics. The KTT Purple Star's POM housings work in harmony to provide a consistently muted sound profile, whereas the Silent Sakura - 43g's varied materials imbue it with distinctive acoustic elements— each material affecting different aspects of the sound. Users might find that, despite the differences, both switches can yield similar results in delivering a rich and enjoyable sound experience, though enthusiasts may favor one over the other based on their personal preferences for auditory feedback during typing.
Weight
The KTT Purple Star linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch both offer a light typing experience, but they differ in actuation and bottom out forces. The Purple Star has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, giving it a slightly heavier feel compared to the Silent Sakura, which has a lower actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams. This means that while typing, the Silent Sakura requires less force to actuate a keystroke, making it lighter and potentially more comfortable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Purple Star provides a slightly more substantial push during bottoming out, which some users might prefer for a tactile feedback experience. Ultimately, those who prioritize a lighter feel should opt for the Silent Sakura, while those looking for a stronger actuation might find the Purple Star more suitable.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Purple Star linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, the differences become quite clear. The KTT Purple Star features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Purple Star offers a shorter travel distance, which can enhance responsiveness, making it particularly appealing for gamers looking for quick key actuation. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura, with its longer 4 mm travel distance, provides a more substantial feel and a satisfying depth that some users may prefer. Thus, choosing between these two switches can largely depend on whether you value a quicker response time with the shorter Purple Star or a more traditional and deeper keystroke experience with the longer Silent Sakura.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88, whereas the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50.
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 Purple Star switches are distinguished by their low-pitched output, which gives them a mellow and bass-heavy tone that's gentle on the ears. This sound signature can create a pleasant typing experience, particularly for users who prefer quieter environments. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura switches are engineered to achieve a whisper-quiet typing experience, making them ideal for those who seek a serene workspace. The description of the Silent Sakura suggests a sound reminiscent of soft, gentle rain, which complements their design for quiet operation. Both switches promise a level of discreetness in their auditory feedback, though the Purple Star leans toward a richer lower frequency, while the Silent Sakura focuses on minimizing noise.
In terms of feel, the KTT Purple Star switches provide a mild and easy-to-press sensation, characterized by gentle resistance during key presses. This allows for a comfortable typing experience with minimal finger fatigue, making them particularly suitable for light typists. The switches strike a balance that can appeal to various users, as their qualities sit comfortably in a neutral zone. Unfortunately, the subjective qualities of the HMX Silent Sakura switches aren't detailed in this context, leaving an unknown variable in comparison. However, given their ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, one can infer that their intended design also focuses on providing a lightly engaging typing experience that may align with the user-friendly nature attributed to the Purple Star.
In summary, if you are a novice exploring mechanical switches, the KTT Purple Star and the HMX Silent Sakura offer distinct auditory and tactile experiences. The Purple Star presents a low-pitched, mellow sound with a mild, easy-to-press feel that is approachable for most users. Meanwhile, the Silent Sakura excels in delivering a whisper-quiet experience, promoting a serene workspace. While both cater to light typists, especially with their low actuation forces, the sound differences and the feel of the Silent Sakura remain a bit less defined. Nevertheless, you can expect a generally comfortable experience with either option, aligning with your preferences for typing environments.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the KTT Purple Star linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and preferences. If you prioritize a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound signature that balances comfort and performance, the KTT Purple Star is an excellent option. Its light 50g bottom-out force makes it suitable for light typists who enjoy a mild and easy-to-press feel, helping you type comfortably even during long sessions. However, if your environment requires a quieter experience with minimal sound distraction, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is the way to go. With a softer 43g bottom-out force and a design aimed at delivering whisper-quiet performance, these switches excel for those who seek a serene typing atmosphere. Both switches cater to light typists, but your choice should ultimately be guided by whether you value sound signature and tactile feedback more (go for the Purple Star) or a silent typing experience (choose the Silent Sakura).
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