Kailh Box Royal vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options stand out: the Kailh Box Royal, a tactile switch, and the Durock Piano, a linear switch. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Kailh Box Royal is well-known for its incredibly tactile feel, making it the go-to choice for those who crave an aggressive typing experience. With a sharp, binary tactility and a relatively higher pitched sound profile, these switches are perfect for those who want an unmistakable tactile sensation with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Piano stands out for its proprietary material blend, providing a pleasant and smooth typing experience. Users often describe a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature when typing on these switches. Categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Durock Piano offers a different typing sensation compared to the Kailh Box Royal. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and Durock Piano differ in terms of their housing materials. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, which is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material is relatively softer, absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for its top housing. Although the exact details of this blend remain undisclosed, it is known to offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While both switches aim to provide a rich sound experience, the materials used in their top housings differ, potentially leading to distinct acoustic qualities.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Box Royal again employs nylon as the housing material. This classic material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when pressing down on the switch. Similar to its top housing, the nylon material absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Durock Piano incorporates a proprietary POM blend for its bottom housing. Although specific details about this blend are unknown, it is suggested to offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile, complementing the sound experience provided by the top housing. Therefore, when pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing's characteristics would play a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and overall tactile feel of the switch.
It is important to note that the impact of each housing material on the switch's sound profile differs. When you press down on a key, the qualities of the bottom housing become more noticeable, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing exerts a greater influence on the sound produced when the key is released. Considering this, the housing materials chosen for the Kailh Box Royal and Durock Piano switches will contribute unique characteristics to the overall typing experience, resulting in distinct auditory interactions between the user and the keyboard.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Box Royal is lighter in terms of actuation force at 45 grams, while the actuation force of the Piano is unavailable. However, both switches have a bottom out force in the medium-heavy range, with the Box Royal at 70 grams and the Piano at 63.5 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Box Royal would be a good choice due to its lower actuation force. This can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions where fatigue may become a concern. On the other hand, the Piano switch offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a stronger push feel for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience.
It should be noted that since the actuation force of the Piano switch is unavailable, it is difficult to provide a direct comparison between the two switches in terms of actuation force. However, if the actuation force of the Piano switch were to be similar to the Box Royal, users can expect similar results in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch comes down to personal preference. Those seeking a lighter typing experience may favor the Box Royal, while those who prefer a slightly heavier feel might opt for the Piano switch.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is slightly shorter than the traditional 4.0 mm distance of the Durock Piano linear switch. Both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience, but they differ in terms of travel distance. The shorter travel distance of the Box Royal may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Piano may offer a more substantial and deliberate feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25 per 10 switches.
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
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is known for its sharp and binary tactility, providing a nearly aggressive tactile experience. When it comes to sound, these switches have a relatively higher pitched profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch stands out for its proprietary material blend, resulting in a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel. The sound signature of the Piano switch is deep and creamy, offering a bassy sound profile with a lower frequency range.
When comparing the two in terms of sound, the Box Royal is known for its high-pitched profile, which provides a sharp and crisp sound upon key presses. In contrast, the Piano switch offers a bassy sound profile, characterized by a deeper and richer tone. It's important to note that the sound can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Box Royal switch has a sharp tactile bump, offering a high feedback intensity that can be distinctly felt with each keypress. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience, minimizing resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This translates into an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing feel.
Overall, if you prefer an aggressive and sharp tactile experience with a higher pitched sound profile, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you're looking for a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound, the Durock Piano linear switch would be more suitable. Keep in mind that the final sound and feel can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Conclusion
All in all, if you're someone who values intense tactility and a higher pitched sound profile, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches provide a sharp and crisp tactile bump, giving you a satisfying and almost aggressive typing experience. Additionally, the higher pitched sound produced by the Box Royal switches adds to the overall tactile feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and more effortless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch would be a great fit. These switches have a gliding push feel and offer a frictionless and silky typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance. The Piano switches also have a bassy sound profile, which adds a deep richness to the typing sound. Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and Durock Piano switches depends on your personal preferences for tactility, sound, and typing feel.
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