Durock Sea Glass vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two captivating mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Wine Red. The Sea Glass switch series, presented by Durock, features a stunning selection of five pastel colors that immediately catch the eye. Known for its distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, the Sea Glass switches offer a unique typing experience without compromising on smoothness. Surprisingly, despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, making them easy to press. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches from KTT provide a pillowy light typing feel and boast a deeply satisfying and rich sound profile. Categorized as 'Bassy' and 'Low-pitched,' these switches offer a different auditory experience to complement the tactile feedback. Both switches have their own strengths, making them appealing choices for different preferences; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Wine Red differ in their housing materials, resulting in variations in sound profiles and aesthetics. The Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both the top and bottom housing, providing a sound profile that is pleasant and bright, with a lack of sharpness. In contrast, the Wine Red utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for RGB lighting.
Despite their differences, both switches share some similarities in their housing materials. The Sea Glass's top housing blend and the Wine Red's polycarbonate top housing both result in a bright sound profile, although the latter leans towards a sharper and crisper tone. Similarly, while the Sea Glass's bottom housing blend offers a pleasant and brighter sound, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Wine Red contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound.
It is worth noting that the use of different materials for the top and bottom housings of a switch can also influence the overall sound profile. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing plays a crucial role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Hence, the blend of materials in the Sea Glass and the polycarbonate housing in the Wine Red will result in distinct auditory experiences when interacting with the keyboards.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass and KTT Wine Red exhibit differences in their housing materials, leading to variations in sound profiles and aesthetic properties. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend offers a pleasant and bright sound, while the polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red creates a sharper and crisper tone. However, both switches share similarities in terms of sound characteristics, particularly in their brightness. The differing materials used in the top and bottom housings also affect the overall sound produced during keystrokes.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Sea Glass is slightly higher at 45 grams, compared to the Wine Red's actuation force of 44 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, thus providing a balanced and responsive typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Sea Glass requires a force of 62 grams, whereas the Wine Red is slightly lighter with a bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that the Sea Glass provides a more substantial typing experience, requiring a firmer press to fully activate the keystroke, while the Wine Red offers a gentler bottom out force, which may be preferred by those who prioritize longer typing sessions or have a lighter touch.
Overall, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is slightly heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out force compared to the KTT Wine Red linear switch. This makes it suitable for individuals who enjoy a more pronounced push feel and desire a tactile typing experience. Conversely, the Wine Red, with its lower actuation and bottom out forces, may be favored by those who prefer a lighter touch and desire a smoother typing sensation. In conclusion, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, as both offer unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience in different ways.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it is clear that there is a slight difference between the two. The Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Wine Red has a travel distance of 4 mm. Although both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the most traditional, the Sea Glass offers a slightly shallower travel distance than the Wine Red. This may appeal to gamers who value faster response times and a more responsive typing experience. However, for those who prefer a deeper key press, the Wine Red's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying and substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing 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 KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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 Durock Sea Glass linear switch is known for its uniquely hollow sound signature. This sound profile is characterized by a dryness, wispiness, and airiness that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the KTT Wine Red linear switch are unknown. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Sea Glass is described as offering a frictionless and mild typing experience. With its fluid travel, it provides an extremely smooth and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The Sea Glass switch is also feathery and easy-to-press, requiring little exertion from the fingers. This light actuation force reduces finger fatigue, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the feel of the KTT Wine Red switch is unknown.
Based on the available information, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch stands out for its distinct sound signature and frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press feel. It offers a weightlessness that defies expectations despite its 62g bottom-out force. In contrast, the information on the KTT Wine Red linear switch is limited, thus making it difficult to compare the subjective qualities. If you are looking for a typing experience with a dry and airy sound, along with a smooth and effortless feel, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be a reliable choice. However, it is important to remember that personal preferences may vary, so it is recommended to try out different switches before making a final decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are interested in a switch with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, along with a weightless and frictionless typing experience, then the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be a great choice for you. It presents a captivating selection of pastel colors and offers a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a pillowy light typing feel and a deep, rich sound profile, then the KTT Wine Red linear switch is the way to go. It provides a satisfyingly smooth and effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
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