KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the TTC Silent Bluish White are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct features and advantages. The Sea Salt Lemon is a linear switch, known for its buttery smooth typing experience and progressive spring. With a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, it provides a mild and comfortable typing sensation. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White is a tactile switch that offers a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, giving users a precise and comfortable typing experience. Despite its medium tactility, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. While these general pointers can help you make an initial decision, let's delve deeper into the specifics to determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and TTC Silent Bluish White have similar housing materials, with both featuring polycarbonate top housings. This polycarbonate material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its stiffness allows for a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for those who prioritize sound quality. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it perfect for incorporating RGB lighting into the switch design. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics when comparing the polycarbonate top housings of both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, there is a difference between the two switches. The Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Bluish White also features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This can be appealing to those who prefer a quieter typing experience and want to minimize noise.
Considering the split between the top and bottom housings, the Sea Salt Lemon and Silent Bluish White will exhibit distinct qualities. Pressing down on the switch will primarily showcase the characteristics of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound when typing, making it ideal for users who prioritize sound depth. Conversely, the top housing of the switch will have a more significant impact on the sound when releasing a key. As both switches feature polycarbonate top housings, users can expect a sharper and clearer sound when letting go of a key.
In conclusion, the Sea Salt Lemon and Silent Bluish White share similarities in terms of their polycarbonate top housings, which provide a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. However, they differ in their choice of nylon bottom housings. The Sea Salt Lemon's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent Bluish White's nylon bottom housing offers a duller and rounder sound. Consequently, the bottom housing will influence the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will play a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are notable similarities and differences. The Sea Salt Lemon possesses a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Bluish White's 42 grams, both considered within the light to medium-light range. Similarly, in terms of bottom out force, the Sea Salt Lemon has a 53-gram requirement while the Silent Bluish White is slightly lighter at 50 grams. Therefore, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, albeit with the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly heavier overall. These lighter forces provide a comfortable typing experience and enable users to type for extended periods, making them suitable for office use or long gaming sessions. However, for those who prefer a more substantial and tactile feel while typing, the Sea Salt Lemon might be the preferred option with its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Silent Bluish White is the shorter option, providing a shallower feeling when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a longer travel distance, allowing for a deeper and more substantial key press. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference. If you prioritize faster response times and a more responsive feel, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Bluish White may be the preferred option. However, if you prefer a more satisfying and substantial keystroke, the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance would be a better choice. Both options offer different typing experiences, so it is important to consider your own preferences when making a decision.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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
When it comes to sound, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a low-pitched sound profile, which gives it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White tactile switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it an ideal choice for those who prioritize a quiet environment, such as in an office or shared living space. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel. It falls within a safe and middle-ground zone, making it suitable for a wide range of users. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White tactile switch is described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This switch offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation, thanks to its polished finish and factory lubing. It also has a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, making it a comfortable and satisfying option for typing.
Taking all the available information into account, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Silent Bluish White tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a low-pitched sound profile and a mild typing experience, making it suitable for those who prefer a quieter and approachable switch. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch offers a muted sound profile and a buttery, polished feel, providing a quieter and smoother typing experience. However, it is worth mentioning that both switches fall within the mild tactile category, offering a gentle resistance and a comfortable typing feel.
In conclusion, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Silent Bluish White tactile switch offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Sea Salt Lemon switch leans towards a low-pitched sound and a mild typing experience, the Silent Bluish White switch aims for a muted sound and a buttery, polished feel. Depending on your preferences and requirements, both switches can provide satisfying results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a buttery smooth typing experience and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, then the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is the ideal choice for you. These switches have a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams and feature a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, resulting in a delightful typing sensation. On the other hand, if you value a satisfying level of resistance, quietness, and a precise typing experience, then the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is the better option. With a light bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches offer a medium tactile feel that is comfortable and precise. Additionally, they are designed to minimize noise, making them perfect for office or shared living spaces. Ultimately, the decision between the Sea Salt Lemon and the Silent Bluish White will depend on your personal preferences for smoothness, sound profile, and typing experience.
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