Durock Black Lotus vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Piano both offer unique features that make them stand out. The Black Lotus is a linear switch, known for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision. Typing on these switches is a delight, thanks to their reduced housing and stem wobble. With an actuation weight of 55g, they provide a substantial but not overly heavy key press. The Black Lotus also features a unique light column that adds a visually appealing in-switch lighting option which is fully removable. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is another linear switch that is widely favored for its proprietary material blend. This blend gives the Piano a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, resulting in an extremely pleasant typing experience. Categorized as bassy, frictionless, and silky, the Piano offers a different tactile experience compared to the Black Lotus. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the Durock Piano both feature unique and premium housing materials that contribute to their distinct characteristics. The Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, while the Piano incorporates a proprietary POM blend. Although the exact details of their blends are not known, both offer a satisfying sound profile. The Black Lotus boasts a premium feel with its modified PC and UPE blend, while the Piano provides a deep and satisfying sound profile with its POM blend.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Black Lotus utilizes a nylon material, which is a classic choice for switch housing. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as nylon is relatively softer and absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend for its bottom housing, offering a deep and satisfying sound profile similar to the Black Lotus. While the exact details of the POM blend are unknown, it is clear that it contributes to the unique sound experience of the Piano switch.
When it comes to the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall switch experience, there are noticeable differences. Pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. The Black Lotus, with its nylon bottom housing, may provide a slightly duller and rounder sound due to the softer nature of nylon. Conversely, the Piano's proprietary POM blend bottom housing likely contributes to a similar satisfying and deep sound profile. However, the impact of the top housing on the sound when releasing a key cannot be overlooked. Both the Black Lotus and the Piano have unique top housings that contribute to their respective sound profiles and enhance the overall typing experience.
Overall, while the Durock Black Lotus and the Durock Piano differ in their choice of housing materials, they both offer exceptional sound profiles and typing experiences. Whether it's the premium feel of the modified PC and UPE blend in the Black Lotus or the satisfying sound profile of the proprietary POM blend in the Piano, both switches provide a unique and enjoyable typing experience. The bottom housing materials, nylon and the proprietary POM blend, contribute to the deep and full sound profiles of each switch. Ultimately, regardless of the specific housing materials used, both switches are designed to deliver a high-quality and immersive typing experience.
Weight
When it comes to the actuation force and bottom out force, the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Piano linear switches have some similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Black Lotus is lighter compared to the Piano switch. The Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams, providing a medium-heavy feel when triggering keystrokes. On the other hand, the actuation force for the Piano switch is unknown, so it is difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls within the medium-heavy range. This means that regardless of the actuation force of the Piano switch, if it has a similar bottom out force, users can expect a comparable typing experience in terms of the amount of pressure required to press the keys fully. Ultimately, individuals who prefer a lighter feel may lean towards the Black Lotus, while those who enjoy a stronger push for a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Piano switch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feel and keypress experience when using either the Black Lotus or the Piano switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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 Black Lotus switch has no specific description provided. On the other hand, the Piano switch is described as having a deep, creamy sound signature with a bassy profile. It offers a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Black Lotus switch is described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished. These qualities contribute to an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Black Lotus switch offers a safe middle-ground feel that should be approachable to most users. The Piano switch is described as frictionless and silky, indicating an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with no sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Both switches prioritize smoothness in their feel, ensuring a comfortable typing experience.
Overall, the Black Lotus and Piano switches both prioritize smoothness and provide a pleasant typing experience. While the Black Lotus offers a silky, buttery, mild, and polished feel, the Piano switch focuses on being frictionless and silky. Their sound profiles differ, with the Black Lotus having no specific description and the Piano switch offering a deep, creamy, and bassy sound signature. However, both switches aim to provide a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Depending on individual preferences and the other components used in the keyboard setup, users can expect similar results from either switch in terms of feel and sound.
Conclusion
To sum up, both the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Piano linear switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, placing them in the medium-heavy range. The Black Lotus is best known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, with reduced housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. It also features a unique light column for in-switch lighting, which is fully removable. On the other hand, the Piano switch is praised for its proprietary material blend, resulting in a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature.
When it comes to sound, the Black Lotus doesn't have a specific descriptor provided. On the other hand, the Piano switch is described as "bassy," offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones.
In terms of feel, the Black Lotus has descriptors such as "silky," "buttery," "mild," and "polished," indicating a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Piano switch is described as both "frictionless" and "silky," emphasizing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Piano switches will depend on your personal preferences. If you value a silky smooth feel with unparalleled precision, reduced wobble, and the option for in-switch lighting, the Black Lotus may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a typing experience with a gliding push feel, a deep and creamy sound signature, and an emphasis on frictionless and effortless key presses, the Piano switch would be a great option. Consider your desired sound, feel, and additional features to make an informed decision that suits your typing preferences.
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