Outemu Crystal vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a multitude of options available to suit different preferences. Two popular choices are the Outemu Crystal and the Durock Piano, both of which fall under the linear switch category. The Crystal switches provide a unique, linear typing experience with their fairly elastic feel and medium-light weight, resulting in a comfortable and responsive typing experience. In addition, these switches have a neutral sound profile, making them a great choice for those who prefer a quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switches are known for their proprietary material blend, offering a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. Their bassy sound profile and frictionless movement make them highly enjoyable to type on. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
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
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
Polycarbonate
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 Outemu Crystal keyboard switch utilizes polycarbonate material for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a consistent sound profile throughout the keystrokes. With its relatively stiffer plastic, polycarbonate brings about a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, enhancing the overall typing experience. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for compatibility with RGB lighting, adding aesthetic appeal to the switch. In contrast, the Durock Piano switch features a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housings, although the exact details of the blend remain unknown. This unique POM blend contributes to a satisfying and deep sound profile, potentially offering a different auditory experience compared to the polycarbonate-constructed Crystal switch.
When different housing materials are utilized for the top and bottom housings, as seen in some keyboard switches, the characteristics of each material are divided between the two sections. In the case of the Crystal switch, the qualities of the polycarbonate bottom housing primarily influence the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing plays a greater role in determining the sound emitted when releasing a key. This differentiation allows for a nuanced typing experience with varying auditory responses based on the specific action performed.
While the Crystal and Piano switches differ in their housing materials, they share the commonality of utilizing translucent material for their top housing. Both switches employ polycarbonate or a POM blend, respectively, in this portion to offer compatibility with RGB lighting. This ensures that users seeking to incorporate vibrant lighting effects into their keyboard setup can achieve similar results with either switch. However, in terms of sound profiles, the Crystal switch is likely to provide a sharper and crisper sound due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, while the Piano switch's proprietary POM blend may offer a deep, yet uniquely fulfilling auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, some notable differences arise. The Crystal switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch, while its bottom out force measures 55 grams. On the other hand, the Piano switch's actuation force is unknown, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the bottom out force for the Piano switch is 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch, such as the Crystal, as it allows for longer typing sessions and is ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the contrary, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier actuation force. However, since the actuation force of the Piano switch is unknown, it is challenging to ascertain the differences in this aspect between the two switches.
Overall, the Crystal switch is lighter in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force, making it more suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience. The Piano switch, though lacking information regarding its actuation force, does possess a heavier bottom out force, appealing to individuals seeking a stronger push feel. In essence, while the specifics of the actuation force for the Piano switch remain unknown, users can expect similar results in terms of bottoming out with both switches.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when selecting a keyboard. In the case of the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, we find that they both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, you will experience the same distance of switch travel with both switches. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both the Outemu Crystal and the Durock Piano switches. It is worth noting that having an equal travel distance ensures consistency and can contribute to a comfortable typing experience for users of both switches.
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 Outemu Crystal comes in at $3.40 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 Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel.
Starting with sound, the Crystal switch can be described as having a chirpy and high-pitched sound profile. This means that when pressed, the switch produces a unique acoustic signature with a slight squeak and sharp, crisp sound. On the other hand, the Piano switch has a bassy sound profile. Pressing the keys results in a deeper and richer sound, akin to the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. With both switches, you can expect a pleasant auditory experience, but with different characteristics.
Moving on to feel, the Crystal switch offers a polished typing experience. This indicates that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The polished surface, along with potential factory lubing, enhances the overall sleekness of the typing feel. On the other hand, the Piano switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience. This means that the switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. These switches provide fluid and highly responsive key travel.
In conclusion, while the Crystal and Piano linear switches have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel, both offer enjoyable typing experiences. The Crystal switch is known for its elastic and medium-light weight feel, coupled with a neutral sound profile. On the other hand, the Piano switch is recognized for its gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature resulting from a proprietary material blend. Depending on the preference for sound and the desired typing experience, newcomers can choose between the chirpy and high-pitched Crystal switch or the bassy and frictionless Piano switch. It is worth noting that individual preferences may vary, and experimentation with different switches, keyboards, and keycaps can lead to desired results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique, linear typing experience with a medium-light weight switch, the Outemu Crystal linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches have a fairly elastic feel and a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a variety of typing tasks. If you prefer a switch with a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch is the way to go. These switches are known for their proprietary material blend, resulting in one of the most pleasant typing experiences. Additionally, the Crystal switch offers a chirpy and high-pitched sound, making it stand out from the rest, while the Piano switch provides a bassy sound profile. In terms of feel, the Crystal switch has a polished finish, reducing friction and offering a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano switch is extremely smooth and frictionless, providing effortless key presses. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for weight, sound, and feel.
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