KTT Ash Gray vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the KTT Ash Gray and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Ash Gray and the Durock Dolphin stand out as popular options with distinct characteristics. The Ash Gray switch is a tactile switch that offers a light touch with a crisp actuation, providing a delightful blend of tactile feedback that is neither too overwhelming nor unnoticeable. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin is a linear switch known for its silent operation, making it a great choice for quiet office environments. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, the Dolphin offers a balanced feel that combines precision with a satisfying press. While the Ash Gray switch is easy to press and mild, the Dolphin switch is polished, muted, and low-pitched. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on your preference for tactile feedback or silent operation. 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
38g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The KTT Ash Gray and Durock Dolphin both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting. However, while both switches offer similar characteristics in their top housings, they may differ in terms of their bottom housings.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, both the Ash Gray and Dolphin utilize nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing materials may impact the overall sound and feel of typing on these switches, with the bottom housing having more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the top and bottom of a switch can lead to a unique typing experience. While both the KTT Ash Gray and Durock Dolphin share similarities in their polycarbonate top housings, the variation in their nylon bottom housings may result in slightly different sound profiles and typing experiences. However, by understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall sound and feel of a switch, users can make an informed decision based on their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it is clear that the Ash Gray is the lighter of the two. The Ash Gray has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In contrast, the Dolphin has an unknown actuation force but has a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium category. The Ash Gray provides a lighter typing experience, which may be preferred for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Dolphin offers a slightly heavier feel, which can give a more substantial typing feedback. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Ash Gray tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Dolphin switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ash Gray switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. However, the difference of 0.3 mm between the two switches may not be significant enough to noticeably affect the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of how much travel depth is preferred for typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Ash Gray has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ash Gray for $2.55.
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
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 KTT Ash Gray switch provides a neutral experience with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin switch offers a muted and low-pitched sound, making it a great choice for those looking for a quieter typing experience, especially in office settings. Both switches can provide a satisfying sound profile depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ash Gray switch offers an easy-to-press and mild typing experience, making it effortless and comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Dolphin switch, described as polished, provides a smooth and refined typing experience due to its reduced friction and smooth key travel. While both switches offer different tactile experiences, they both aim to enhance the overall typing feel for the user, catering to individuals with varying preferences.
Overall, the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch is best suited for those who enjoy a balanced tactile feedback with a moderate sound profile, while the Durock Dolphin linear switch is ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience with a more polished feel. Depending on personal preferences and the intended use case, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, consider the type of environment you will be using the keyboard in and your preferred typing experience. If you value a switch with a light touch and a crisp actuation, along with a tactile feedback that is not overwhelming, the Ash Gray switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent switch for a workspace where noise levels matter, along with a medium-heavy actuation force that provides precision and a satisfying press, the Dolphin switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and requirements for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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