Akko Rosewood vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Akko Rosewood and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Rosewood and the TTC Silent Red present two intriguing options for users seeking unique typing experiences. The Akko Rosewood is celebrated for its distinctive "thocky" sound, which delivers a deep auditory feedback enhanced by a factory-applied lubricant, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic experience while typing. Conversely, the TTC Silent Red focuses on providing a smooth and quiet environment, ideal for office settings or shared spaces, where distraction should be minimized. These switches feature a polished, buttery feel that ensures seamless keystrokes from top to bottom, coupled with a padded bottom-out experience for enhanced comfort. While both switches cater to linear preferences, they offer different auditory and tactile experiences that could significantly influence your typing enjoyment. 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
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Rosewood and the TTC Silent Red switches, noticeable contrasts emerge, particularly in their top housings. The Rosewood utilizes nylon for its top housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile while typing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, effectively absorbs sound, leading to a rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Silent Red leverages polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate, recognized for its rigidity, promotes a clearer and more resonant sound, heavily impacting the auditory feedback when releasing a key. Thus, while the Rosewood provides a muted acoustic character, the Silent Red delivers more distinct sound clarity, showcasing how distinct housing materials can dramatically influence typing experiences.
Turning to the bottom housing, both the Akko Rosewood and the TTC Silent Red use nylon, creating similarities in their sound profiles. With nylon's propensity to absorb sound, both switches evoke a deeper and rounder auditory response when bottoming out. This shared material choice contributes to a cohesive feel when typing, despite the differences in top housing. The bottom housing significantly impacts the overall experience and communicates a consistent depth in sound. Therefore, while the top housing diverges in material and resultant auditory characteristics, the shared nylon bottom housing establishes a foundational sound quality that ties the two switches together, allowing for similar results during gameplay or typing.
Overall, the combination of different materials in the top and bottom housings creates a nuanced experience for both the Akko Rosewood and the TTC Silent Red switches. The nylon top of the Rosewood enhances its ability to provide a full-bodied sound, while the Silent Red's polycarbonate top contributes a clear and resonant tonality. Despite these differences, they converge in their sound profile thanks to the nylon bottom housing, emphasizing how the materials interact with each other to influence the overall performance of the switch. By understanding these contrasting and complementary features, users can make informed choices based on their personal preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Rosewood linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Akko Rosewood features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, presenting a medium-heavy feel that caters to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. This makes the Rosewood switch the lighter option and the Silent Red the heavier one. Overall, while both switches provide distinct tactile experiences, the Akko Rosewood is best suited for users seeking a lighter touch, whereas the TTC Silent Red appeals to those preferring a firmer keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Akko Rosewood linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, a notable difference emerges. The Rosewood features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Rosewood switch provides a more substantial depth when pressed down, which can be preferable for users who appreciate a hearty feel and feedback from their keys. On the other hand, those looking for quicker response times, such as gamers, might prefer the Silent Red's shorter travel distance, as it allows for faster actuation. Consequently, the Rosewood switch is the longer option, while the Silent Red is the shorter one, catering to different user preferences based on the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Rosewood has an MSRP of $3.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rosewood for $3.11.
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 Akko Rosewood linear switch offers a rich auditory experience, characterized by a deep and satisfying thocky tone, largely attributed to a factory-applied lubricant that enhances its acoustic qualities. This switch produces a fuller, more resonant sound that can provide a satisfying auditory feedback while typing, making it quite enjoyable for enthusiasts who appreciate sound as a part of their keyboard experience. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red linear switch prioritizes a quieter typing experience, delivering a muted sound profile that minimizes the typical clackiness associated with mechanical keyboards. This makes the Silent Reds particularly suitable for office environments or shared living spaces, where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
In terms of feel, the Rosewood switch is generally regarded for its smooth keystrokes due to the application of lubricant, which reduces friction during activation, resulting in a pleasant typing sensation. While specific descriptors are not provided, it can be inferred that the Rosewood delivers a satisfying tactile feedback that enhances the overall experience for users who enjoy a bit of resistance during keystrokes. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is defined by its buttery and polished feel, offering a smooth, flowing typing experience and a mild yet approachable engagement for users. Its enhanced design aims to provide a comfy bottom-out sensation that further contributes to a refined typing experience, making each press feel soft and effortless.
In conclusion, while both the Akko Rosewood and TTC Silent Red linear switches provide distinct sound and feel characteristics, they cater to different preferences. The Rosewood offers a deeper sound and a refined typing experience, making it appealing for users who enjoy auditory feedback, while the Silent Red excels in a quiet, smooth, and comfortable typing experience suited for environments where noise control is essential. Depending on your priorities—whether you value sound profile or tactile experience—you'll find that each switch has its strengths and can lead to enjoyable typing experiences in their own right.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko Rosewood linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch should ultimately align with your specific typing needs and environment. If you prefer a lighter actuation force coupled with a satisfying thocky sound, the Rosewood switch is an excellent option. Its lower bottom-out force of 50 grams makes it ideal for those who type quickly or enjoy a more responsive feel. This switch is particularly suited for personal setups where acoustics are valued, such as in a home office or gaming station. On the other hand, if you are in a shared space or an office where noise could be a concern, the TTC Silent Red switches are the better choice with their muted sound profile and medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams. They provide a smooth and buttery typing experience while minimizing noise, making them perfect for environments where you want to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, consider your priorities—whether it's sound, feel, or the specific context of your typing environment—to make the best choice for your new mechanical keyboard.
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