TTC Silent Red vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Red and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in search of a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a quiet and seamless typing experience, the TTC Silent Red and KTT Wine Red switches are two options worth considering. The Silent Red switch is renowned for its smooth and consistent feel throughout, accompanied by a muted sound profile. This makes it an excellent choice for those working in an office or shared living space environment. Additionally, the Silent Red switch provides a padded bottom-out feel, adding to its overall comfort. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch offers a pillowy light type feel while delivering a satisfyingly deep and rich sound. Its bassy and low-pitched sound profile adds a touch of elegance and indulgence to the typing experience. However, let's explore these switches in more detail to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The TTC Silent Red and KTT Wine Red both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches will offer similar sound profiles and visual aesthetics due to their shared polycarbonate top housings.
However, there is a notable difference in the bottom housings of the Silent Red and Wine Red. The Silent Red boasts a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Wine Red features a polycarbonate bottom housing, aligning with its top housing material. Polycarbonate offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, complementing the characteristics of the top housing. As a result, the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches will vary, with the Silent Red providing a deeper sound due to its nylon bottom housing.
Overall, while both switches share the benefits of having polycarbonate top housings, the choice of material for the bottom housing sets them apart. The Silent Red's nylon bottom housing delivers a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing ensures a more consistent and sharp sound. It's important to consider your preferences for sound and feel when choosing between these two switches, as the bottom housing will have a more pronounced impact on the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, one of the main differences lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Red requires an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Wine Red requires slightly less at 44 grams. This means that the Wine Red provides a slightly lighter touch when triggering a keystroke. In terms of bottoming out, the Silent Red has a higher force requirement of 63.5 grams compared to the Wine Red's 55 grams. This indicates that the Silent Red offers a heavier and more substantial typing experience when fully pressing down. Therefore, if someone prefers a lighter key press, they may opt for the Wine Red, while those wanting a more robust typing feel may prefer the Silent Red. However, it is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, so they can both provide fairly similar results for most users.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Silent Red has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, which is shorter than the traditional 4.0 mm. On the other hand, the Wine Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls in line with the traditional measurement. Gamers often favor shorter travel distances due to the faster response times they offer. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Silent Red would be the better option. However, those who prefer a more substantial feel might find the longer travel distance of the Wine Red more satisfying. It is important to consider personal preference when choosing between the two, as the Silent Red offers a shorter travel distance while the Wine Red provides a more traditional depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
The KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Silent Red switch is best described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Silent Red switch is designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it an excellent choice for office or shared living spaces. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch is described as bassy and low-pitched. This means that it offers a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The sound of a switch, however, can also be influenced by other factors such as the chosen keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the TTC Silent Red switch offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. The buttery feel implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The mild characteristics of the Silent Red switch make it approachable to most users, as it stands in a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, the polished finish of the Silent Red switch results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, further enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, there is no available information on the feel of the KTT Wine Red switch.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the TTC Silent Red switch is the perfect choice. With its muted sound profile and smooth, consistent feel, it is ideal for office or shared living space use. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch offers a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, but there is no information available on its feel. While both switches may provide similar results in terms of overall experience, it is important to consider personal preferences and other factors such as keyboard and keycaps to make the best choice for your needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches provide a medium-heavy feel that is comfortable and satisfying to type on. The Silent Red switch is best known for its muted sound profile, making it ideal for office or shared living spaces where noise can be a concern. Additionally, the Silent Red offers a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with a deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is a great option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a medium-light feel that is pillowy and satisfying to type on. The Wine Red switch offers a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, characterized by a lower frequency range resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The absence of descriptors for the Wine Red switch suggests that it may not have the same level of smoothness and refinement as the Silent Red, but it still provides a pleasant typing experience.
Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Silent Red and the KTT Wine Red switches boils down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prioritize a quiet typing experience and a smooth feel, the Silent Red is the way to go. However, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with a deeper and richer sound, the Wine Red switch is a great choice. Consider your environment, typing style, and desired sound profile to make an informed decision, and enjoy the satisfying typing experience that fits your preferences.