Durock Sea Glass vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Red, two exceptional linear mechanical keyboard switches. The Sea Glass switch series, brought to us by Durock, presents a captivating selection of five pastel colors that immediately grab attention. These switches offer a distinct typing experience, emanating a dryness, wispiness, and airiness that is truly unique, while still maintaining an uncompromised level of smoothness. Surprisingly, despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, showcasing their frictionless nature. Typong on these switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switches are the perfect choice for those seeking a seamless and quiet typing experience. These switches have a muted sound profile, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. With a smooth, consistent feel from top to bottom and a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort, the Silent Reds offer a buttery and polished 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and TTC Silent Red differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Sea Glass features a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both its top and bottom housing. This blend creates a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. On the other hand, the Silent Red utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. Therefore, if you prefer a switch with a brighter sound, the Sea Glass's housing material would be a better choice, while the Silent Red's polycarbonate top housing is ideal for those seeking a sharper and more pronounced sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Sea Glass and Silent Red once again diverge. The Sea Glass utilizes the same polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, resulting in a sound profile that is not sharp but still possesses brightness. This blend maintains consistency with the top housing, offering a unified sound experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red incorporates nylon for its bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Hence, if you desire a switch with a brighter and more consistent sound, the Sea Glass's unique blend of housing materials would be more suitable. However, if you prefer a switch with a deeper and fuller sound, the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing offers this characteristic.
While the Sea Glass and Silent Red differ in their housing materials for both the top and bottom, it is important to note how these distinctions impact the overall typing experience. When pressing down on these switches, you will primarily feel the qualities of the bottom housing. Therefore, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. On the other hand, once you release a key, the top housing becomes more influential in determining the sound produced. Hence, while the Sea Glass and Silent Red may have distinct housing materials, their respective contributions to the typing experience will be evident during different moments of keypress. Ultimately, depending on your preferences for sound and feel, choosing between these two switches will offer different but equally satisfying results.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are some interesting similarities and differences regarding their actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, requiring the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of the initial push needed to register a keypress. However, when it comes to bottoming out, there is a slight distinction. The Sea Glass has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which falls into the medium category, while the Silent Red has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category.
Considering weight is important for different reasons as some individuals prefer lighter switches to enable longer typing sessions, ideal for work or extended gaming periods. These lighter switches reduce fatigue and are more comfortable for prolonged use. On the other hand, some users prefer a more substantial typing experience and opt for switches with heavier forces. These individuals enjoy the tactile feedback and the stronger push feel of the keys.
In conclusion, for those seeking a medium actuation force, both the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Silent Red fulfill that requirement. However, if a slightly heavier bottom out force is desired, the Silent Red is the better option with its medium-heavy rating of 63.5 grams. In contrast, the Sea Glass provides a slightly lighter bottom out force at 62 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a slightly lighter typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch both have relatively short travel distances, making them popular among gamers seeking faster response times. The Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. These shorter travel distances appeal to those who value responsiveness and a quicker key press. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, preferring a switch with a longer travel distance for a more satisfying keystroke. Overall, the choice between the Sea Glass and Silent Red switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired level of depth in the keystroke experience.
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 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
In terms of sound, the Sea Glass switches from Durock are known for their uniquely hollow sound signature. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a distinct and airy sound. On the other hand, the Silent Red switches are specifically designed to be muted, offering a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. They minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Sea Glass switches are described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. They minimize any sense of resistance or friction, providing a fluid travel while typing. These switches are also classified as mild, which means they offer a gentle typing experience that is approachable for most users, as its qualities fall in a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches can be considered feathery, meaning they are exceptionally light to press and require little finger exertion. This makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions, whether for gaming, school, or work.
On the other hand, the Silent Red switches are often described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. They provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Similar to the Sea Glass switches, the Silent Red switches are also categorized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience suitable for a wide range of users. The term "polished" is used to describe these switches, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved through the materials used and/or factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the Durock Sea Glass linear switches and the TTC Silent Red linear switches offer subjective qualities that are desirable for different reasons. The Sea Glass switches emphasize a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience, accompanied by a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Silent Red switches prioritize a muted sound profile and a smooth, uniform feel. While there are some similarities between the two switches in terms of their mild typing experience, it's important to consider personal preferences and the specific requirements for each use case when choosing between these switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you're looking for a switch with a distinct dryness and airiness in its typing experience, along with a weightlessness that defies expectations, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the right choice for you. Its medium 62g bottom-out force and proprietary material blend make for a smooth and frictionless typing experience. The Sea Glass switches also offer a uniquely hollow sound signature, adding to their overall appeal.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a muted sound profile and a smooth, consistent feel throughout the typing experience, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is a great option. With its medium-heavy 63.5g bottom-out force, these switches are perfect for office or shared living space use. The Silent Reds also provide a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort during extended typing sessions.
Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch depends on your preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and bottom-out force. Consider the distinct dryness and weightlessness of the Sea Glass switches, as well as their uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Silent Reds offer a muted sound profile and a smooth, consistent feel throughout.
It's important to prioritize what matters most to you in a keyboard switch, whether it's the typing experience, sound profile, or comfort level. Happy typing!
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