Dareu Violet Gold Pro vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the KTT Wine Red stand out as popular options to consider. The Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and neutral sound signature, making it a great choice for those who desire a balanced typing experience. In contrast, the Wine Red switch provides a pillowy light typing feel with a deep and rich sound profile, making it an enticing option for those who enjoy a bassy and low-pitched typing experience. However, 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
44g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the KTT Wine Red, we find that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness and transparency, making it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Violet Gold Pro opts for nylon while the Wine Red sticks with polycarbonate. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Wine Red contributes to a sharper and clearer sound profile.
While the top housings of both switches share similar qualities due to their polycarbonate composition, the differences arise in their bottom housings. The Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing creates a more muffled and round sound profile, contrasting with the sharper and more resonant sound produced by the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing. This distinction impacts the typing experience, as the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel while the top housing influences the sound upon key release. Therefore, users can expect a deeper and fuller typing experience with the Violet Gold Pro, compared to the crisper and clearer typing experience offered by the Wine Red.
Overall, the choice between the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the KTT Wine Red ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Violet Gold Pro provides a more muted and fuller sound with its nylon bottom housing, while the Wine Red offers a sharper and clearer sound with its polycarbonate bottom housing. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housings, ensuring a consistent level of transparency and brightness for RGB lighting. Whether you prefer a deeper and rounder sound or a crisper and more resonant sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it is evident that the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Wine Red's 44 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Wine Red takes the lead with a force of 55 grams, whereas the bottom out force of the Violet Gold Pro is unknown. This difference in bottom out force suggests that the Wine Red switch may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches fall within the medium-light range, making them suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the KTT Wine Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Violet Gold Pro has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Wine Red. In general, a shorter travel distance like that of the Violet Gold Pro can be preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance like that of the Wine Red can provide a more satisfying depth to the key press. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, so choosing between them depends on personal preference for responsiveness or depth. Ultimately, the travel distance of a switch plays a significant role in the typing or gaming experience it offers.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. While both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, the final sound experience will also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch provides a stepped feel, offering a medium level of tactility with a light touch. This provides a balanced typing experience with a slight pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation, making it suitable for those who prefer a more subtle tactile feedback. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch does not have specific feel descriptors provided, but based on its pillowy light type feel, it likely offers a smooth and consistent typing experience without the tactile feedback found in the Violet Gold Pro switch.
In conclusion, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and KTT Wine Red switches offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. While the Violet Gold Pro provides a balanced and medium tactility with a neutral sound profile, the KTT Wine Red offers a smooth and light typing experience with a rich and deep sound profile. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch will come down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound profile, the Violet Gold Pro may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a pillowy light typing feel with a deep and rich sound profile, the Wine Red switch may be more up your alley. Consider the sound and feel descriptions provided for each switch and think about which one aligns more closely with your desired typing experience. Both switches have their unique qualities, so choose the one that best suits your preferences for a satisfying typing experience.
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