KTT Hyacinth vs. Durock Ice King Tactile
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Durock Ice King Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Hyacinth and the Durock Ice King Tactile offer unique and distinct typing experiences. The Hyacinth, a linear switch, is designed with a 3.5mm travel distance to provide a comfortable typing experience without the harsh bottoming-out sensation common with longer-stem switches. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile, a tactile switch, boasts a creamy smoothness combined with a pronounced tactile bump, resulting in a truly satisfying typing experience. While the Hyacinth focuses on a balanced tactile feedback and auditory experience with a single-stage elongated spring, the Ice King Tactile emphasizes a smooth and tactile typing sensation with its unique blend of characteristics. Ultimately, choosing between the Hyacinth and Ice King Tactile comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and feedback; 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
58g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
68g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and the Durock Ice King Tactile both utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom housings. The Hyacinth features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiff nature. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile boasts a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile because of its softer and sound-absorbing properties. Despite these differences, both switches offer distinct sound profiles based on their top housing materials - the Hyacinth with its clear and resonant sound, and the Ice King Tactile with its duller and rounder sound.
In terms of bottom housing materials, both the Hyacinth and the Ice King Tactile opt for nylon, known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. This consistency in bottom housing material between the two switches ensures that users will experience similar sound profiles when typing on either switch, despite any differences in their top housing materials. The impact of the bottom housing is particularly noticeable during bottom-out sounds and feels, while the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a switch plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel of typing on that switch. While the Hyacinth and Ice King Tactile differ in their top housing materials - polycarbonate and nylon respectively - the consistent use of nylon in their bottom housings results in a similarity in the overall typing experience. Whether it's the sharper and crisper sound of the Hyacinth with polycarbonate top housing, or the deeper and fuller sound of the Ice King Tactile with nylon top housing, both switches offer unique sound profiles that are enhanced by their chosen housing materials.
Weight
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Hyacinth has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, making it fall into the medium-light category. In contrast, the Ice King Tactile has a heavier actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. The Hyacinth provides a lighter typing experience, ideal for prolonged use during work or gaming sessions, while the Ice King Tactile offers a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Hyacinth being lighter and the Ice King Tactile being heavier.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users will experience a consistent travel distance from the top to the bottom. The similarity in travel distance between these two switches ensures that users will get similar results in terms of key feel and actuation depth. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable and familiar typing experience with a consistent travel distance, making them suitable choices for those who value a standard key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
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 KTT Hyacinth linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments and preferences. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch produces a more subdued sound, providing a quieter typing experience while still maintaining a satisfying tactile feedback for the user. While both switches offer unique sound qualities, the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference and the surrounding environment in which they will be used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Hyacinth linear switch and the Ice King Tactile tactile switch offer a silky smooth typing experience. However, the Ice King Tactile switch takes it a step further by providing a frictionless feel, a stepped tactile sensation, and a polished finish. These additional features contribute to an enhanced typing experience, offering users a more refined and luxurious feel with each keystroke. Conversely, the Hyacinth switch boasts a subtle and gentle resistance, providing a comfortable typing experience without sacrificing smoothness.
Taking all factors into consideration, both the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch offer unique and desirable qualities that cater to different preferences. Whether you prioritize a neutral sound profile and subtle resistance or a subdued sound and a more refined feel, both switches provide a premium typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Hyacinth and Ice King Tactile switches will come down to individual preferences in sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the KTT Hyacinth linear switch or the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a neutral sound profile with a silky and subtle typing feel, the Hyacinth may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force, a subdued sound profile, and a switch that offers a silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished typing experience, the Ice King Tactile might be more suited to your preferences. Both switches have unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Hyacinth and Ice King Tactile switches will depend on your personal preference for key feel, sound, and typing experience.
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