KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinctive experiences for users. The Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch, is highly praised for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. With a low-pitched, neutral, and mild profile, these switches provide a delightful typing sensation without any tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is a tactile switch that caters to those who seek both tactile feedback and a silent keyboard. Perfect for noise-sensitive environments, these switches offer a medium bump and a padded bottom-out feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience without generating excessive noise. Categorized as stepped, accented, muted, and polished, the Silent T1 provides subtle audio feedback while keeping noise levels to a minimum. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best determine the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) share similar housing materials in terms of their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making it ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting in their keyboard setups. Therefore, users can expect similar sound characteristics and aesthetic appeal from the polycarbonate top housing of both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Sea Salt Lemon and Silent T1 (Shrimp) differ in their choice of material. The Sea Salt Lemon employs a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, typing on Sea Salt Lemon switches will result in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar experience in terms of sound profile. Both switches offer users the opportunity to enjoy a more subdued typing experience with their nylon bottom housing.
As a result of these differences in housing materials, users may notice distinct effects when interacting with the switches. The impact of the bottom housing will be more prominent when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that the choice of nylon as the bottom housing material in both switches will contribute to a deeper and fuller typing experience. On the other hand, the top housing material, in this case polycarbonate, plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the sound profiles may differ slightly, both the Sea Salt Lemon and Silent T1 (Shrimp) allow for an enhanced typing experience, with the respective housing materials affecting different aspects of the sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Sea Salt Lemon has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch required to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) does not specify its actuation force, leaving it unknown. However, the bottom out force of the Sea Salt Lemon is 53 grams, while that of the Silent T1 is 67 grams, making it medium-heavy.
Considering the weight of a switch is crucial for various reasons. Those who prefer a lighter switch may find it advantageous as it allows them to type for extended periods without fatigue. This makes it ideal for keyboards used in work environments or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who seek a more substantial and tactile typing experience may prefer a switch with a heavier actuation force. This provides a stronger push feel, giving a satisfying feedback while typing.
In terms of weight, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is lighter due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Silent T1 tactile switch. However, if one desires similar results to a heavier switch, they could achieve it by applying silicone dampeners or O-rings to the Sea Salt Lemon, effectively increasing the bottom out force and providing a closer typing experience.
Overall, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a medium-light actuation and bottom out force, appealing to those who prefer a lighter touch, while the Silent T1 has an unknown actuation force but a medium-heavy bottom out force, making it suitable for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the switch travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent tactile feedback and smooth keypress experience. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
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
The Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is known for its low-pitched sound, which gives it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It is also described as having a neutral sound profile, meaning it has a moderate actuation force requirement and is suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. The Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, on the other hand, is described as producing a muted sound. This means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a mild typing experience. This means it offers a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Sea Salt Lemon's qualities stand in a safe, middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as having a stepped feel. This means it feels like it has two stages, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It is also described as having an accented feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish and reduced friction for a sleek typing experience.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Sea Salt Lemon has a low-pitched sound with a neutral profile and provides a mild typing experience. It is best suited for users who prefer a smoother and mellow sound and a gentle typing feel. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers a muted sound, making it a great option for those in noise-sensitive environments. It provides a stepped and accented feel, with a polished finish for a smooth typing experience. Based on these qualities, if you are looking for a linear switch with similar results to the Silent T1 (Shrimp) in terms of sound, you may consider the Sea Salt Lemon. While not identical, the low-pitched and neutral sound profile of the Sea Salt Lemon can provide a softer and quieter typing experience. Similarly, if you are interested in a tactile switch with a stepped and accented feel, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) provides unique qualities that may be difficult to replicate with the Sea Salt Lemon.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you value a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon is a fantastic choice. Its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams and mild feel make it approachable for most users. On the other hand, if you desire a tactile switch with a subdued audio feedback and a silenced sound, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams and a stepped, accented, and polished feel, it provides a comfortable and noise-sensitive experience. Ultimately, the decision boils down to your desired typing experience and sound preferences, so choose accordingly.
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