KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. HMX SU
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX SU switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX SU both stand out as notable linear options, each offering distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The KTT Sea Salt Lemon is celebrated for its beautifully smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring design and KTT's innovative dry-lube treatment, lending it a low-pitched and neutral sound profile that many typists and gamers appreciate for its quiet operation and fluid keystrokes. On the other hand, the HMX SU boasts a robust PA12 housing and a T5 stem, delivering a subtly deeper sound profile that appeals to users who enjoy a touch of character in their keystrokes without compromising the smoothness typical of linear switches. Choosing between these two switches can depend on whether you prioritize an ultra-smooth feel or a more textured auditory experience. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
T5
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX SU feature different materials for their top housings, which influences the overall sound profile of each switch. The Sea Salt Lemon utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, noted for producing a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer composition. This material enhances the clarity of the sound produced, particularly beneficial for those who favor a more pronounced auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the HMX SU opts for a nylon top housing, renowned for its ability to absorb sound and create a deeper, fuller auditory profile. This results in a more muted and rounded sound, which contrasts with the bright clarity offered by polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon. Consequently, users seeking a vibrant typing experience may prefer the Sea Salt Lemon, while those who appreciate a warmer sound might gravitate towards the HMX SU.
Interestingly, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes similarly to the sound produced. Both the Sea Salt Lemon and HMX SU derive a deeper and fuller sound profile from their nylon bottom housings. Nylon's soft texture is engineered to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a dampened sound that enhances the overall typing experience. This shared characteristic ensures that regardless of the differences in their top housings, users will experience a consistent deep-toned sound when bottoming out, which is further complemented by the feedback from the nylon material.
In summary, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and HMX SU utilize different materials for their top housings—polycarbonate and nylon, respectively—their shared nylon bottom housing ensures a duality in sound experience. Users will notice distinct sound qualities when pressing down each switch, due to the contrasting impacts of the top housing materials. The enduring qualities of the bottom housing will deliver a deeper sound profile across both switches, offering a uniform experience in that aspect. Ultimately, the choice between the Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX SU may come down to personal preference regarding the tonal characteristics desired during typing.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, both exhibit an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that users can expect a similar trigger feel when typing or gaming. However, a distinction arises with their bottom out forces: the Sea Salt Lemon has a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it slightly heavier, while the HMX SU is lighter at 50 grams. This difference in bottom out force means that the Sea Salt Lemon provides a more pronounced push feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Conversely, those who appreciate a lighter touch might find the HMX SU more appealing, as it allows for easier key presses, potentially benefiting prolonged use during extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two will depend on personal preference regarding the balance of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The KTT Sea Salt Lemon features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX SU has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This 0.4 mm difference reflects a trend where many gamers favor shorter distances for quicker actuation and response times, which the HMX SU provides. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon's longer travel distance may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keystroke, offering a deeper and more noticeable feedback. Thus, while both switches have their advantages, the Sea Salt Lemon caters to those who enjoy a fuller typing experience, whereas the HMX SU is designed for speed and efficiency.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX SU has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the SU for $3.29.
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 comparing the sound profile of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, the Sea Salt Lemon is characterized by a low-pitched and neutral tone. This combination results in a mellow, bass-heavy sound that is versatile enough for a variety of environments, making it suitable for both casual and professional settings. In contrast, the sound profile of the HMX SU is relatively deep but lacks a detailed description, leaving some uncertainty regarding its specific auditory qualities. Since sound can vary significantly based on keycaps and the keyboard's construction, the overall auditory experiences of both switches can be influenced by these factors, but the Sea Salt Lemon offers a well-rounded sound consistent across various setups.
In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Lemon is celebrated for its smoothness, thanks to a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design that enhances the typing experience. However, the tactile qualities of the HMX SU's feel and the specifics of its actuation force or overall feedback remain unspecified, making it harder to draw direct comparisons. As such, while the Sea Salt Lemon provides a clearly defined smooth typing experience, the SU's feel remains a point of speculation.
In summary, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch stands out with its low-pitched, neutral sound and buttery smooth feel, making it an excellent choice for both personal and professional use. The HMX SU switch, while featuring a relatively deep sound profile, lacks detailed descriptions of its auditory and tactile attributes. Without specific feel information for the SU, it's difficult to gauge how closely it can match the Sea Salt Lemon's smooth experience. Ultimately, if you're looking for consistency in sound and feel, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a dependable option, while the SU may require further exploration to fully understand its capabilities.
Conclusion
To sum up, the choice between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX SU linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch that still offers a smooth and buttery experience, the Sea Salt Lemon is a fantastic option, especially for those who enjoy a more tactile experience while typing. With its medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams, it strikes a nice balance between comfort and responsiveness, making it suitable for both casual typing and gaming. Additionally, the Sea Salt Lemon’s low-pitched, neutral sound profile makes it versatile enough for use in various environments, whether at home or work. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter switch that delivers a slightly deeper and more pronounced sound, you might find the HMX SU to be more appealing. With a bottom out force of just 50 grams, it allows for quicker actuation, which can benefit fast typists or gamers. Its subtle sound profile and full PA12 housing add an element of durability and acoustics that some users may find enjoyable. Ultimately, consider your typing force preference, desired sound profile, and the environments in which you’ll be using the switch when making your decision. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different tastes, ensuring that you can find the perfect fit for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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