KTT Rose vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the KTT Rose and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Rose and the Durock Sea Glass, two captivating mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The Rose switches are known for their outstanding beauty, but there is more to them than meets the eye. With progressive springs that provide a uniquely substantial yet not heavy typing experience, they offer a soothing sensation reminiscent of bassy raindrops. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, the Rose switches are a great choice for those who seek a satisfying and melodious typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches from Durock present a captivating selection of five pastel colors and boast a proprietary material blend that creates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness while maintaining exceptional smoothness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a surprising weightlessness, defying expectations and showcasing their frictionless nature. Additionally, typing on the Sea Glass switches unveils a unique hollow sound signature. Categorized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, the Sea Glass switches are ideal for users who desire a smooth and effortless typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Progressive spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The KTT Rose and the Durock Sea Glass differ in terms of their housing materials. The Rose features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sea Glass incorporates a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. This blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Rose utilizes nylon, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Sea Glass makes use of the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, contributing to its unique sound profile, which is also pleasant, albeit leaning towards brightness rather than sharpness.
Despite their differences, both the Rose and the Sea Glass demonstrate how the qualities of the top and bottom housings impact the overall sound and feel of a switch. When pressed down, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing comes into play when you release a key. Therefore, although the specific materials used may differ between the two switches, the understanding that the top and bottom housing materials affect the switch's sound production remains consistent.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Rose linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are notable differences. The actuation force of the Rose switch is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare with the Sea Glass switch. However, the Rose switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy. In contrast, the Sea Glass switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter touch is required to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is slightly lighter than the Rose switch.
Considering weight, the Rose switch is heavier in terms of bottom out force, making it more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. However, if a lighter switch is desired for extended typing sessions or gaming sessions, the Sea Glass switch with its lighter actuation and bottom out forces would be a favorable choice. Both switches provide different typing experiences due to their distinct actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to select the option that aligns with their preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Rose linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that the Sea Glass has a shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the Rose's 4 mm. The Rose's 4.0mm distance falls within the range of the most traditional travel distance, while the Sea Glass's 3.8mm is slightly shallower. This makes the Rose switch a better choice for those who prefer a more traditional feel, while the Sea Glass switch is ideal for gamers or individuals desiring a faster response time with its shorter travel distance. However, it is important to note that shorter travel distances might feel too abrupt for some individuals who prefer a deeper key depression. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
The KTT Rose comes in at $3.01 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
In terms of sound, the KTT Rose switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. Low-pitched switches typically have a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while a neutral switch has a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch does not have a specific description mentioned for sound. Therefore, it is unknown how these switches sound in comparison to the Rose switches. However, it is worth noting that the sound of a switch can be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Rose switch is described as mild and polished. A mild switch offers a gentle typing experience, while a polished switch indicates a smooth and refined finish resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. These qualities make the Rose switches approachable and comfortable for most users.
The Durock Sea Glass switch, on the other hand, offers a frictionless and mild typing experience. The switch is exceptionally smooth and effortless to press, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. Additionally, it is described as feathery and easy-to-press, providing a light actuation force that reduces finger strain and fatigue during extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the KTT Rose and Durock Sea Glass switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Rose switches have a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with a mild and polished feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches have an unknown sound profile, but are described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. While both switches offer unique qualities, it is important to consider personal preference and the specific use case when choosing between them.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a uniquely substantial typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the KTT Rose linear switch is the way to go. Its progressive springs offer a satisfying level of resistance without feeling heavy, and the bassy raindrop sound adds to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is a great choice. Despite its medium bottom out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and offer a frictionless typing experience. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature. Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Rose and the Durock Sea Glass switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound.
Mentioned in this article
