We are excited to share our latest switch comparison. We tested five popular linear switches (both stock and lubed + filmed) including Gateron Oil King, C³Equalz X TKC Tangerine, C³Equalz X TKC Banana Split, KTT Strawberry, and SP Star Meteor White. We also compared the sound of the frequency of these switches to help you visualize the difference between them.
In this blog, we focus on frequency analysis. If you’d like to hear the sound of these switches, check out our YouTube video here.
The chart below is called the spectrum analyzer, which takes the frequency of the sounds and plots it on the x-axis and the amplitude of the sound on the y-axis.
On the x-axis (horizontal axis), the further left it is the lower the frequency which means it’s a deeper sound. The further right it is the higher the frequency which is a higher pitch sound.
On the y-axis (vertical axis), it is amplitude which is how loud it is. For testing switches, that would depend on how hard we press the switches, so pay less attention to the y-axis. It is more about where it is on the x-axis the peaks are.
First example below, we tested the Gateron Oil King (stock version vs L+F version) to show you the impact of L+F.
On the stock version, you can see the peak which is the highest point of the frequency on the x-axis is at about 2.2 kilohertz. On the L+F version, it’s close to 1.9 kilohertz. By lubing and filming the oil king, the sound was deepened.
Gateron Oil King
Lubed and Filmed Gateron Oil King
Next example below, we tested C³Equalz X TKC Tangerine (stock version vs L+F version).
The stock version has a peak at about 2.3 kilohertz, and the L+F version has a peak at 1.6 kilohertz. Once again, lubing and filming the Tangerine has shifted the pitch of the switch towards a lower frequency.
C³Equalz X TKC Tangerine
Lubed and Filmed C³Equalz X TKC Tangerine
Next, we have C³Equalz X TKC Banana Split. The stock switch has a peak at around 2.5 kilohertz range. The L+F version has around 2.4 ish kilohertz range. The sound profile didn’t shift significantly.
C³Equalz X TKC Banana Split
Lubed and Filmed C³Equalz X TKC Banana Split
For KTT Strawberry, the stock version has a sound frequency quite widespread, the peak is from 1.6 to 3.2 kilohertz. On the L+F version, the graph has shifted to the left. The peak is starting from 1.6 and ending at around 2.5 kilohertz. L+F has deepened the sound of the switch.
KTT Strawberry
Lubed and Filmed KTT Strawberry
Finally SP Star Meteor White. The peak of the non-lubed and filmed version is about 2.8 ish kilohertz. The L+F version has a peak at about 2.8 - 2.9 kilohertz. The sound profit did not shift much.
SP Star Meteor White
Lubed and Filmed SP Star Meteor White
Based on the data, lubing and filming a switch deepens the sound profit on the switch. As for comparison across the switches, the KTT Strawberry and SP Star Meteor White are more clacky and higher pitched switches compared to Oil King, Tangerine, and Banana Split.
Other Readings
Gateron North Pole Linear Switch (Yellow and Red) Review | Compare with Oil Kings, Ink V2, CJ
Durock POM Linear Review (Stock vs L+F) | Compare to Gateron Oil King, Ink V2 Black, North Pole, CJ