KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two standout options are the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX Vintage Citrus, both of which excel in delivering a linear typing experience. The Sea Salt Lemon is celebrated for its buttery smooth feel, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's innovative dry-lube design, making it a favored choice for those who appreciate a low-pitched, neutral typing sensation that lends itself well to prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch is tailored specifically for gamers, boasting an impressively low actuation force of just 1mm, which facilitates rapid-fire key presses—an essential feature for competitive play. Additionally, its bright, clacky sound profile provides an engaging auditory feedback that can enhance the gaming experience. While both switches offer unique benefits, the Sea Salt Lemon may cater more to typists seeking comfort and smoothness, whereas the Vintage Citrus is geared towards those prioritizing speed and responsiveness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
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-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches exhibit distinctive differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer composition that contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This results in an articulate audio experience that excels in clarity, making it particularly well-suited for RGB lighting aesthetics due to its translucency. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus utilizes a nylon top housing, which offers a contrasting sound experience characterized by a deeper, fuller tone. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound waves more effectively than polycarbonate, leading to a more subdued and round sound profile. Therefore, users can expect a distinct auditory experience based on the materials used in the top housing.
When examining the bottom housing, both the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX Vintage Citrus utilize nylon, which provides consistent auditory characteristics in this aspect of their design. As noted, nylon is considered a classic switch housing material and contributes to a deeper, more resonant sound profile for both switches. When typing, this commonality allows users to experience a similar bottom-out sound and feel, as the nylon absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a warm and enveloping auditory experience. Despite the differences encountered in their top housings, the nylon bottom housings create a harmonious balance in sound, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In summary, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches share similar nylon bottom housings that generate a rich and full sound profile, their differing top housings create unique auditory experiences. The polycarbonate top of the Sea Salt Lemon provides crispness and clarity, enhancing high frequencies, while the nylon top of the Vintage Citrus gives a softer and warmer experience with a more rounded sound. Ultimately, the combination of their respective materials results in switches that will appeal to different preferences, allowing users to choose based on their desired sound profile while still experiencing the rich depth contributed by the nylon bottom housing.
Weight
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch exhibit some notable similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 53 grams, making them feel equally responsive when pressed all the way down. However, the actuation force of the Sea Salt Lemon is lighter at 45 grams compared to the Vintage Citrus, which requires 48 grams of force to actuate. This means that users who prefer a lighter switch may find the Sea Salt Lemon more comfortable for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it offers less resistance. In contrast, those who enjoy a slightly more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Vintage Citrus due to its heavier actuation force. Ultimately, while the bottom out forces are identical, the difference in actuation forces offers users distinct experiences based on their preferences for weight and feedback.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch differ significantly, with the Sea Salt Lemon measuring 4 mm and the Vintage Citrus at 3 mm. The Sea Salt Lemon's 4 mm travel distance aligns with the traditional standard, offering a more substantial pressing experience that some users may find preferable for its depth and tactile feedback. In contrast, the 3 mm travel distance of the Vintage Citrus allows for quicker actuation, making it an appealing choice for gamers or those seeking a more responsive key press. Consequently, if you're looking for a switch that feels more abrupt and enables faster response times, the Vintage Citrus is the shorter option, whereas if you appreciate a fuller depth in your keystrokes, the Sea Salt Lemon is the longer choice. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference, as a shorter travel distance may enhance performance for some, while others might favor the traditional feel of a longer switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 sound profile of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is characterized by a low-pitched, mellow tone that provides a soft audio feedback during typing, making it suitable for various environments such as home or office setups. This neutral sound profile allows it to be an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users, as it doesn’t dominate the auditory landscape. In contrast, while the specific sound characteristics of the HMX Vintage Citrus switch aren’t detailed, the switch is noted for its bright, clacky sound profile, which likely provides a more pronounced auditory response, especially appealing to those who enjoy a more engaging sound experience during gaming or typing.
When it comes to feel, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a mild typing experience, striking a balance that's approachable for most users. This gentle feedback ensures a smooth and pleasant typing experience that isn't overwhelming, making it ideal for long sessions at the keyboard. On the other hand, while details regarding the tactile feedback of the Vintage Citrus switch are unspecified, its exceptionally low actuation force suggests that it may facilitate rapid keystrokes, which is particularly beneficial for gaming scenarios where quick responses are crucial. However, without specific descriptors, it's hard to ascertain how it compares to the buttery smoothness of the Sea Salt Lemon.
In summary, both the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches appeal to different user preferences. The Sea Salt Lemon highlights a low-pitched, neutral sound and a mild feel, providing comfort and smoothness for typing in a variety of settings. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus is designed for gamers, featuring a clacky sound and a low actuation force for quick inputs, even though its tactile qualities remain unspecified. Your choice between these two switches will ultimately depend on whether you prioritize a smooth, versatile typing experience or a more dynamic, rapid-response gaming feature.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your intended usage and personal preferences. If you value a smooth and gentle typing experience, whether for work or casual use, the Sea Salt Lemon is likely the better option for you. Its medium-light bottom-out force and low-pitched sound profile provide a relaxed typing environment, making it versatile enough for both typing and gaming without being overly harsh on your fingers. On the other hand, if you're a gamer seeking quick response times, the Vintage Citrus switch with its 1mm actuation force is designed specifically for rapid inputs, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming scenarios. The clacky sound and agile feel of the Vintage Citrus will enhance your overall gaming experience, but it may be less suitable for quieter environments. In essence, choose the Sea Salt Lemon for a more balanced typing experience and the Vintage Citrus if you prioritize speed and audibility in gaming.
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