SP-Star Duck vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Duck 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 subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck switches are a perfect choice. These switches provide a gentle tactility when typing, delivering a clean and crispy sound profile. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', the Duck switches offer a satisfyingly smooth and polished typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a light and pillowy feel while typing, along with a deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red switches are the way to go. Categorized as 'Bassy' and 'Low-pitched', these switches offer an intoxicating typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you the most.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and the KTT Wine Red share similar characteristics as they both utilize polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for effective RGB lighting, making it a practical choice for those who wish to incorporate lighting effects into their keyboard setup.
With both switches featuring polycarbonate top and bottom housings, the impact of the material's qualities will be distributed throughout the entire switch. When pressing down a key, you will experience the effects of the bottom housing, which influences the sound and feel of the switch's bottom-out action. Conversely, the top housing will have a significant impact on the sound produced when you release a key. So despite the slight differences in branding and marketing, the use of polycarbonate ensures that users will obtain comparable results in terms of sound profiles and aesthetics when using either the SP-Star Duck or the KTT Wine Red.
In summary, the SP-Star Duck and the KTT Wine Red keyboards both employ polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings, leading to similar outcomes. Both switches offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness and clarity provided by polycarbonate. Additionally, the Polycarbonate's translucency enables effective RGB lighting, making it an ideal choice for those seeking illuminated keyboard setups. Though there may be subtle variations in branding and design, the overall user experience in terms of sound and aesthetics will be comparable between the two keyboards, thanks to the shared use of polycarbonate for their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Duck's actuation force is unavailable, while the Wine Red has an actuation force of 44 grams. Both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Duck measuring at 58 grams and the Wine Red at 55 grams, making it slightly lighter.
Weight considerations play a significant role when choosing a switch. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the Wine Red as it allows for longer typing sessions and is perfect for work or extended gaming periods. However, for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Duck may be a better choice. It is important to note that both switches fall within the medium force range for bottoming out, providing a similar result in that aspect. Ultimately, the actuation force of the Duck remains unknown, but the Wine Red is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. This distance is what you feel when you press down on a key. In the case of the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance being traveled. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
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 SP-Star Duck tactile switch offers a clean and crispy sound profile. It falls under the descriptor of a neutral switch, which means it has moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch provides a deep and rich sound profile. It is characterized by a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It is also described as low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it should be noted that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It is also referred to as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, they are described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This can be attributed to the materials used and/or factory lubing, leading to reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, information on the feel of the KTT Wine Red linear switch is unknown.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Duck switch provides a clean and crispy sound profile with a gentle tactility when typing, while the Wine Red switch offers a deep and rich sound profile with a pillowy light type feel. The Duck switch is described as mild, buttery, and polished, providing a mild and smooth typing experience. The Wine Red switch's feel is unknown. If you are looking for a more subtle tactile typing experience, the Duck switch is recommended, while the Wine Red switch is suitable for those who prefer a more intoxicating and rich sound profile.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prefer a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches offer a medium level of feedback that is gentle and comfortable. The sound profile of the Duck switches is clean and crispy, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter typing feel, the KTT Wine Red linear switch would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a medium-light level of actuation and a pillowy light type feel. The sound profile of the Wine Red switches is deep and rich, giving you a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during key presses. Overall, both switches have their unique qualities, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whether you're looking for a more subtle tactile experience or a light linear feel, both the Duck and Wine Red switches can provide an enjoyable and satisfying typing experience.
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