TTC Silent Brown vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Silent Brown and the HMX Vintage Citrus present two distinct options tailored to different user preferences. The Silent Brown, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its comfortable typing experience, combining a light to medium level of resistance with a pleasing rounded tactile bump. Designed to ensure a quieter work environment, its muted sound profile makes it an excellent choice for those who work in shared spaces or prefer a less distracting auditory experience. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus, a linear switch, is engineered for gamers seeking speed and responsiveness. With an incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm, it facilitates rapid-fire inputs, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming sessions. Additionally, the Vintage Citrus offers a bright, clacky sound profile and a remarkably smooth push feel, appealing to gamers who thrive on auditory feedback and seamless keystrokes. While both switches cater to different needs—comfort and quietude versus speed and auditory excitement—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
48g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Silent Brown and the HMX Vintage Citrus, two distinct characteristics emerge that influence their sound profiles and overall user experience. The Silent Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer composition, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile when typing. This quality is particularly beneficial for RGB-illuminated keyboards, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the brightness and clarity of the lighting. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus opts for a nylon top housing, which is renowned for its softer texture. This choice results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon absorbs some of the sound, leading to a rounder auditory experience that contrasts sharply with the brightness of polycarbonate.
In considering the bottom housings of both switches, the Silent Brown utilizes nylon, similar to the Vintage Citrus. Their shared use of nylon at the bottom enhances the sound profile in a comparable manner. In fact, both switches provide a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon’s sound-absorbing properties, which contribute to a more muted and plush bottom-out sensation. As a result, when pressed, both switches offer a satisfactory tactile feedback, grounding the typing experience despite their different top housing materials. This underscores how both switches can yield similar auditory qualities in the lower register of sound thanks to the nylon bottom.
Ultimately, the interaction between different housing materials in the Silent Brown and Vintage Citrus switches exemplifies how sound profiles are shaped by each component's composition. While the top housing significantly influences the higher-end frequencies and audibility of RGB lighting, the bottom housing accounts for the deeper sounds upon key release. The Silent Brown's polycarbonate creates a distinct brightness on release, while the Vintage Citrus' nylon takes dominance in the lower auditory spectrum. Despite these differences in the top housing, the commonality of nylon in the bottom promotes a consistent experience in warmth and fullness, illustrating how each switch offers a unique but balanced acoustic experience overall.
Weight
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varying preferences among users. The Silent Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, classifying it as a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus features a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams and a lower bottom out force of 53 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. This means that the Silent Brown requires a heavier push to both actuate and bottom out, making it more suitable for those who prefer a stronger typing feel. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus, being lighter overall despite its higher actuation force, may offer a more comfortable experience for extended typing sessions or gaming due to its reduced bottom out force. Overall, users looking for a heavier typing experience might lean toward the Silent Brown, while those who favor a softer touch would likely prefer the Vintage Citrus.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Silent Brown switch offers a deeper feel under the fingers, making it suitable for those who prefer a more tactile experience when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch's 3 mm travel distance caters to users who favor a quicker response, as shorter travel distances are often associated with faster actuation times, particularly beneficial for gamers. Thus, if responsiveness is your priority, the Vintage Citrus would be the better choice. However, for those who appreciate a more pronounced depth while typing, the Silent Brown would likely be more satisfying. Ultimately, the Silent Brown is the longer travel option, while the Vintage Citrus is the shorter one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown 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 Brown for $5.00.
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.
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 TTC Silent Brown tactile switch offers a notably muted profile, producing a softer and quieter output compared to more traditional or clacky switches. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise reduction is a priority. The sound profile is characterized by a gentle yet satisfying pop from the tactile bump without being intrusive. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed with gaming in mind, boasting a bright and clacky sound that can be more pronounced and engaging for users who enjoy audio feedback during rapid key presses. This sounding effect complements its rapid actuation capabilities but may not be suitable for quieter settings.
In terms of feel, the Silent Brown switch is crafted to provide a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. The buttery feel suggests a smooth and effortless keystroke, contributing to a gentle yet satisfying tactile feedback, ideal for users who prefer a more rounded experience without aggressive resistance. The mild nature of the switch also ensures that it caters to a wide range of preferences, offering comfort without overwhelming the typist. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus switch focuses on extreme responsiveness, making it an excellent choice for gamers who require a fast, smooth push feel. Unfortunately, detailed subjective qualities of this switch's feel were not specified, making a direct comparison challenging.
In summary, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch provides a muted sound and a smooth, comfortable feel ideal for both typing and quieter environments. The HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, on the other hand, excels in delivering a bright sound and exceptionally quick actuation, catering primarily to the gaming community. While both switches offer unique qualities that can greatly enhance the typing and gaming experience, they cater to different preferences and use cases. If you find yourself needing a more subdued option or are focused on rapid inputs, either switch can generally yield a satisfying result based on your specific needs.
Conclusion
In summary, the choice between the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a comfortable typing experience for both work and casual gaming, and value a quieter environment, the Silent Brown is likely the better option for you. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force, satisfying tactile bump, and muted sound profile make it ideal for long typing sessions without disturbing those around you. On the other hand, if you are a competitive gamer looking for speed and responsiveness, the Vintage Citrus will serve you well. With its low actuation force and rapid actuation point, it allows for quick key presses, making it well-suited for fast-paced gaming scenarios. The clacky sound profile that accompanies its smooth feel may also appeal to those who enjoy auditory feedback during gameplay. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you lean more towards a balanced typing experience or an optimized gaming setup.
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