TTC Silent Red vs. HMX SU

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice often comes down to personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and intended usage. The TTC Silent Red switch stands out for those seeking a whisper-quiet typing experience, making it an ideal option for office environments or shared living spaces. Known for its buttery smoothness and muted sound profile, the Silent Red provides a comfortable typing experience with a unique padded bottom-out feel that ensures minimal noise disruption. In contrast, the HMX SU switch offers a more subtle yet deeper auditory experience, thanks to its full PA12 housing and T5 stem, which creates a distinctive, satisfying sound that appeals to users who appreciate tactile feedback combined with a linear switch’s smoothness. While the Silent Red excels in environments where silence is key, the HMX SU caters to those who may desire a richer acoustic experience without compromising on smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

TTC Silent Red Linear

HMX SU Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

The comparison between the TTC Silent Red and HMX SU switches primarily centers around their top housing materials, which significantly influence their auditory profiles and tactile responses. The Silent Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity, which facilitates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. This characteristic allows for more pronounced auditory feedback, particularly when releasing the key, thanks to the material's resonant properties. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency enhances the switch’s aesthetic when RGB lighting is in use, creating a vibrant interplay between illumination and sound. Conversely, the HMX SU employs a nylon top housing, which tends to absorb sound rather than amplify it. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, yielding a more subdued auditory experience. The functions of each material lead to distinctly different acoustic outcomes, with the Silent Red offering a bright and energetic sound, while the SU presents a warmer, more rounded tone.

When examining the bottom housing, both switches share the same nylon material, leading to a mutual foundation that fosters a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom casing contributes similarly to both switches by absorbing sound and minimizing harshness, resulting in a keyboard experience marked by a softer bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, regardless of the differing top housing materials, both switches will exhibit dulled sound characteristics attributed to their nylon bottoms. This shared quality ensures a degree of acoustic consistency across both models, even as the top housings create divergence in their auditory dynamics.

Ultimately, the combination of materials used in each switch fosters unique user experiences. The Silent Red's polycarbonate top leads to a crisp, bright tone during actuation and key release, while the nylon bottom provides a suitably smoother feel. In contrast, the HMX SU's nylon top and bottom housing contribute to a more uniform, rounded audio experience. While both switches might achieve similar nuanced sound absorption and tactile feedback characteristics due to their nylon bottoms, the distinct influence of their respective top housings showcases how material choice can manifest differently in a user’s typing experience. Thus, while there are variances in auditory profiles, the shared nylon bottoms ensure both switches retain a compatible sound and feel component, facilitating versatility for typists with varied preferences.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, we see notable differences in their bottom out forces despite having the same actuation force of 45 grams. The Silent Red reaches a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as a medium-heavy switch, which provides a substantial typing experience favored by users who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the HMX SU's bottom out force is significantly lighter at 50 grams, catering to those who appreciate a lighter touch, allowing for easier actuation during long typing or gaming sessions. Therefore, while both switches require the same force to trigger a keystroke, the Silent Red's heavier bottom out force results in a more pronounced tactile feedback, making it ideal for users who prefer a firmer feel, whereas the lighter HMX SU is better for those who value ease and comfort over extended periods of use.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, the TTC Silent Red features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the HMX SU has a slightly shorter travel distance at 3.6 mm. This makes the Silent Red the longer option, suitable for those who appreciate a bit more depth while typing or gaming. On the other hand, the HMX SU’s shorter travel distance may appeal to users who prefer a more rapid response time, as it aligns with the trend of shorter travel distances favored by gamers. Both switches provide a linear feel, but the closer you are to the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance, like with the Silent Red, the more depth and weight you might experience with each keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the TTC Silent Red switches stand out with their muted sound profile, making them an exceptional choice for those who need to minimize noise in shared environments, like offices or dorms. Their quieter characteristic significantly reduces the typical sounds associated with mechanical keyboards, catering to users seeking a more discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX SU switches are noted for a deeper sound profile, which can introduce a subtle richness to the auditory feedback during usage. However, the specifics of their sound characteristics are relatively unknown, making it challenging to provide a direct comparison. If you're sensitive to sound, the Silent Red switches will offer a quieter operation, which is crucial if you are in a noise-sensitive setting.

When it comes to feel, the TTC Silent Red switches are lauded for their buttery smoothness, offering a seamless keystroke experience that feels effortless and refined. With a mild and polished touch, these switches cater to users seeking a gentle typing sensation while ensuring reduced friction during key travel. The rich texture combined with a padded bottom-out feel adds to the overall comfort, making them ideal for extended typing sessions. Meanwhile, details about the feel of the HMX SU switches are currently unknown, which leaves a gap in their comparison. However, if you prioritize a noticeably smooth feel, the Silent Red would be the reliable choice.

In conclusion, both switches cater to specific preferences in sound and feel, yet the TTC Silent Red clearly defines itself with its muted acoustic signature and smooth, polished typing experience. The HMX SU switches offer a different auditory experience with their deeper sound, but a lack of detailed information on their tactile characteristics prevents a full comparison. For users who value a quiet, comfortable typing experience, the TTC Silent Red switches present a strong option, while the specifics of the HMX SU may leave users curious about their performance. Ultimately, both switches, albeit with different attributes, can provide a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences.

Conclusion

To wrap up, the choice between TTC Silent Red and HMX SU linear switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you value a more robust typing feel along with a quiet operation, the TTC Silent Red is an excellent option, especially for environments where noise can be a concern, like shared offices or living spaces. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, it provides a satisfying tactile feedback along with its buttery, polished feel—perfect for those who appreciate a well-balanced typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch that still offers a decent typing experience with a subtle sound profile, the HMX SU could be the right pick, especially if you're looking for something that feels more effortless and allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. With a bottom-out force of just 50 grams, it's ideal for users who favor speed and efficiency over tactile feedback. In essence, assess your typing habits, your preferred tactile sensations, and your working environment to decide which switch aligns best with your keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more

HMX SU Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more