HMX Cheese vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch to the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it's clear that each offers unique advantages for different preferences. The HMX Cheese is praised for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, accompanied by a satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin is known for its silent operation, making it a great choice for quiet office environments. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, the Dolphin provides a substantial feel that balances precision with a satisfying press. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
46g
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
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cheese and Durock Dolphin both use different materials for their top and bottom housing components, with the Cheese featuring a nylon top housing and bottom housing, while the Dolphin utilizes a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing. The nylon top housing of the Cheese creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound for a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Dolphin produces a sharper and crisper sound profile thanks to its stiffer plastic nature, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. This difference in top housing materials highlights how the choice of plastic can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
While the top housing materials of the HMX Cheese and Durock Dolphin differ in their composition and sound characteristics, both switches feature a nylon bottom housing. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches, creating a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. The shared use of nylon for the bottom housing showcases how this material can consistently provide a certain level of sound quality and tactile feedback, even when paired with different top housing materials. This similarity in bottom housing material suggests that the typing experience may be more consistent between the switches than if both top and bottom housings were made of different materials.
Overall, the HMX Cheese and Durock Dolphin offer users a choice between different combinations of housing materials, with each option showcasing unique sound profiles and tactile feedback. The Cheese's nylon top and bottom housings create a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing produce a sharper and crisper sound. This variety in housing materials allows users to tailor their typing experience based on personal preference for sound and feel. Despite the differences in housing materials between the two switches, the use of nylon for the bottom housing in both models ensures a consistent level of sound quality and tactile feedback for typists looking for a similar experience in that aspect.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it is clear that the Cheese is lighter than the Dolphin. The Cheese has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Dolphin does not specify an actuation force but has a bottom out force of 62 grams. The Cheese offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons where fatigue may become an issue. On the other hand, the Dolphin provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches have their own strengths, with the Cheese being lighter and the Dolphin offering a medium force option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirement.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the travel distance of the Durock Dolphin linear switch is 3.8 mm. The Cheese switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Dolphin switch. With a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, the Cheese switch may offer a faster response time, making it a preferred choice for gamers. On the other hand, the Dolphin switch with a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm may provide a more satisfying and deeper key press for those who prefer a more tactile feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.99.
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
Overall, the HMX Cheese linear switch provides a unique typing experience with its ultra-light weight and satisfying clacky sound. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin linear switch offers a silent typing experience ideal for quieter environments, with a medium-heavy actuation force for those who prefer switches with more resistance. While the Cheese switch focuses on providing a smooth and pristine typing feel, the Dolphin switch boasts a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. In terms of sound, the Cheese switch produces a satisfying poppy and crispy sound, while the Dolphin switch offers a muted and low-pitched sound profile. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and actuation force, but both switches are sure to provide a high-quality typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, consider the specific qualities each switch offers. If you prioritize a light actuation force, smooth typing experience, and a satisfyingly clacky sound, the HMX Cheese switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force, a silent typing experience, and a polished feel, the Durock Dolphin switch might be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences regarding actuation force, sound, and feel. Consider these factors carefully to ensure you select the switch that enhances your overall typing experience.
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