Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Durock Piano both stand out as impressive linear options. The Cloudy Shadow, with its bouncy feel and neutral sound signature, offers a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is popular for its proprietary material blend, providing a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. While the Cloudy Shadow is characterized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Piano is labeled as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. Both switches have their strengths and reasons why one might choose them, 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
N/A
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
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Durock Piano, we can see that both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, high-pitched sound profile, ideal for those who enjoy a crisp typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing offers a deep and satisfying sound profile, appealing to individuals who prefer a fuller sound. While the materials are different, both switches deliver distinct acoustic qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing, the Cloudy Shadow's nylon material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more rounded typing experience. Similarly, the Piano's POM blend bottom housing provides a satisfying and deep sound profile, adding to the overall tactile feedback of the switch. Although the materials differ, both switches prioritize sound quality and offer a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences. Whether you prefer a softer or stiffer housing material, both the Cloudy Shadow and the Piano deliver excellent performance in terms of sound and feel.
Overall, the choice between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Durock Piano ultimately comes down to personal preference when it comes to housing materials. While the Cloudy Shadow features a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, providing a sharp and deep sound profile, the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both top and bottom housings, offering a satisfying and deep sound profile. Both switches excel in their own right, showcasing the importance of housing materials in determining the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch. Whether you prefer a sharper sound profile with the Cloudy Shadow or a deeper sound profile with the Piano, both switches deliver exceptional performance that will enhance your typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, both switches have an actuation force of None grams, making them equally light in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Durock Piano also has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that both switches provide a medium-heavy experience when fully pressing down on the keys. For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience to prevent fatigue during extended typing sessions, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow may be a better choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial and satisfying keypress may opt for the Durock Piano. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Piano switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Cloudy Shadow. The difference of 0.5 mm may not seem significant, but for those who prefer a deeper key press feeling, the Piano switch would be the better choice. On the other hand, individuals looking for a more responsive key press may opt for the Cloudy Shadow with its shorter travel distance. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distance, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference on which one to choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloudy Shadow for $3.91.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellow and balanced typing experience suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a bassy sound profile, giving off a deep and rich tone during key presses. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, with the Cloudy Shadow focusing on a more neutral tone while the Piano leans towards a deeper bass sound.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel for users. The extended springs contribute to a bouncy sensation, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Durock Piano linear switch is described as frictionless and silky, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The gliding push feel on the Piano switch adds to the overall comfort of typing on this switch.
Overall, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Durock Piano linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cloudy Shadow provides a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience with bouncy springs, the Durock Piano offers a bassy sound signature and a frictionless, silky feel for seamless typing. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, users can choose between these switches to achieve a satisfactory typing experience. Additionally, considering the quality and innovation of both manufacturers, users can expect reliable and high-performance switches from either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when making a decision between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, consider the following guidelines. You may want to choose the Cloudy Shadow if you are looking for a switch with a neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, offering a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that provides a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, you may want to go with the Durock Piano. Additionally, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Cloudy Shadow is the way to go, while the Piano offers a more bassy sound profile. Lastly, if you prefer a mild typing experience, the Cloudy Shadow is a good choice, whereas the Piano offers a frictionless and silky smooth typing experience. Consider these factors when choosing between the two switches based on your typing preferences and needs.
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