KTT Hyacinth vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Hyacinth and the BSUN Kiki Red mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Hyacinth stands out for its 3.5mm travel distance, aimed at providing a smoother bottoming-out experience and a balanced tactile feedback. In contrast, the Kiki Red offers a high-pitched, clacky nuance without being overly loud, thanks to its all-POM housings and Ly stems for smooth actuation. The Hyacinth is categorized as ['Neutral', 'Silky', 'Subtle'], while the Kiki Red is described as ['Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Snappy', 'Easy-to-press']. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Hyacinth and the Bsun Kiki Red, one key difference is in the top housing material used. The Hyacinth features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. In contrast, the Kiki Red utilizes a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This variation in sound profile showcases how different housing materials can greatly impact the overall acoustic experience of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Another point of comparison between the two switches is in their bottom housing materials. The Hyacinth incorporates a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. Meanwhile, the Kiki Red also uses a POM bottom housing, which again leads to a deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted. Despite having different top housings, both switches share a similar quality in their bottom housing material, resulting in a comparable sound experience in terms of depth and richness.
Overall, the choice between the KTT Hyacinth and the Bsun Kiki Red ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Hyacinth's combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing delivers a clearer and more resonant sound, while the Kiki Red's POM top and bottom housing provide a deeper and more muted sound experience. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, showcasing how the selection of housing materials can greatly influence the overall sound profile and typing feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that they both offer relatively light typing experiences. The Hyacinth has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, making it a medium-light option. In contrast, the Kiki Red features an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, leaning towards the lighter end of the spectrum. Both switches provide a comfortable typing experience with a minimal amount of force required for key presses. While the Hyacinth offers slightly higher force requirements, both switches cater to individuals seeking a lighter actuation and bottom out feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for a slightly heavier or lighter typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches is minimal and may not be noticeable to the average user. Ultimately, whether you choose the slightly shorter Hyacinth or the slightly longer Kiki Red will depend on personal preference for key feel. Gamers may lean towards the shorter travel distance for increased responsiveness, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may prefer the slightly longer option. In terms of travel distance, the Hyacinth is slightly shorter but the difference is minimal enough that both switches are likely to provide similar results in practical use.
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 Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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 is characterized as neutral, providing a moderate sound profile suitable for various intents and purposes. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is noted for its clacky sound, delivering a sharp and percussive auditory feedback. The choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard, including the type of keycaps and the keyboard case.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the KTT Hyacinth switches offer a silky and subtle typing experience, enhancing smoothness and minimizing resistance during key presses. Conversely, the Bsun Kiki Red switches are described as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press. These qualities collectively provide a buttery smooth typing sensation with minimal friction and effortless key travel. Depending on your typing style and preference for key feel, the decision between these switches will vary.
In conclusion, the KTT Hyacinth and Bsun Kiki Red linear switches offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Hyacinth provides a comfortable and balanced experience with neutral sound and subtle key feel, the Kiki Red switches offer a clacky sound and creamy, frictionless feel for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback and smooth keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the individual's preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering which switch to choose between the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, you should opt for the Hyacinth if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and value a design focused on tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. The Hyacinth offers a neutral sound profile and a silky typing experience, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch with a lighter bottom out force and a distinctive clacky sound, the Kiki Red is the way to go. The Kiki Red provides a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, ideal for those who appreciate smoothness and finesse in performance. Ultimately, your choice between the Hyacinth and Kiki Red will depend on your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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