Bsun Akashi vs. Durock Black Lotus
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the Durock Black Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Akashi and Durock Black Lotus both offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences. The Bsun Akashi is a linear switch that stands out for its UPE stem for smoothness and hybrid housing with POM top and nylon bottom, resulting in a distinctive sound contrast and a novel typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Black Lotus, also a linear switch, is praised for its silky smooth feel, reduced wobble, and 55g actuation weight for precision. While the Akashi is described as 'clacky', 'creamy', and 'easy-to-press', the Black Lotus is characterized as 'silky', 'buttery', and 'mild'. Both switches have their advantages, but diving deeper into their specific features will help you make the best choice for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage extended spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Bsun Akashi and the Durock Black Lotus both utilize POM top housings, which create a unique and satisfying sound profile. The Akashi's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted sound, while the Black Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a premium feel. Both materials are known for their high quality and durability, ensuring a consistent typing experience with each press of a key. While the sound profiles may differ slightly due to the materials used, users can expect a satisfying typing experience from both switches.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Akashi and the Black Lotus utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for its ability to produce a deep and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use this material. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of these switches ensures a consistent and enjoyable typing experience, with a focus on creating a satisfying sound profile that enhances the overall feel of the switch.
Although both the Bsun Akashi and the Durock Black Lotus switches have different materials used for their top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material still play a crucial role in defining the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound when letting go of a key. Both switches offer a unique typing experience thanks to the materials used in their top and bottom housings, ultimately providing users with a premium feel and satisfying sound profile with each keystroke.
Weight
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, while the Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that the Akashi switch provides a lighter typing experience overall compared to the Black Lotus switch. Those who prefer a more effortless typing experience may lean towards the Akashi switch, as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out. On the other hand, the Black Lotus switch offers a more substantial typing feel for users who prefer a heavier push. Both switches have their own strengths and are suitable for different preferences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, the Akashi has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Black Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Black Lotus being more on the standard side. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Akashi due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Black Lotus. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Akashi has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Akashi for $3.70.
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
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 Bsun Akashi linear switch is known for its clacky nature, producing a sharp and snappy sound with each key press, resulting in a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is unknown. However, it is important to note that sound is also influenced by factors such as keyboard layout and keycap material, which can alter the overall acoustics of the switches.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Akashi linear switch offers a variety of descriptors such as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press, emphasizing a smooth and luxurious typing experience with minimal resistance, enhanced responsiveness, and reduced friction for effortless keystrokes. On the contrary, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished, indicating a smooth and fluid typing sensation with a gentle touch, approaching the typing experience with a safe and approachable middle-ground zone.
Overall, both the Bsun Akashi and Durock Black Lotus linear switches provide a premium typing experience with unique characteristics in sound and feel. While the Akashi offers a clacky sound profile and a range of smooth feel descriptors, the Black Lotus accentuates silkiness and buttery qualities. Depending on personal preference and typing style, users can expect similar results in terms of smoothness and responsiveness from both switches, with slight variations in sound and feel to cater to individual tastes. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches would depend on the specific qualities that resonate most with the user's preferences and typing experience desired.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, you should consider the factors that matter most to you in a switch. If you prioritize a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a unique and resonant typing experience with a clacky sound, then the Akashi switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, along with a switch that offers a buttery and polished typing experience, then the Black Lotus switch may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound, and actuation force. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and preferences for a truly enjoyable typing experience.
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