Durock Dolphin vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Dolphin and the TTC Gold Red mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Durock Dolphins are favored for their silent operation, making them ideal for quiet office environments or shared workspaces. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, they provide a satisfying press with a balanced level of precision. On the other hand, the Gold Red switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium resistance level, accompanied by a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality without being too loud. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the TTC Gold Red, both switches utilize polycarbonate top housings that create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the differences lie in their bottom housings, where the Dolphin features a nylon material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Gold Red also utilizes a nylon bottom housing for a similar effect. Both switches benefit from the sound-absorbing qualities of nylon, creating a more rounded sound compared to harder plastics.
While the top housings of the Durock Dolphin and TTC Gold Red switches are comprised of the same polycarbonate material, their bottom housings diverge with the use of nylon. The Dolphin's nylon bottom housing provides a more absorbent sound profile, enhancing the typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, the Gold Red's nylon bottom housing offers a similar effect, demonstrating how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the sound and feel of a switch. Despite their differences, both switches showcase the unique qualities of nylon in creating a distinct sound profile that differs from switches made with harder plastics in the bottom housing.
Ultimately, the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and TTC Gold Red switches play a crucial role in shaping their sound profiles. While both switches share the benefits of a polycarbonate top housing, it is the nylon bottom housing that sets them apart in terms of sound quality. The Dolphin's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Gold Red's nylon bottom housing offers a similar rounder sound profile. Whether typing or gaming, the top and bottom housings work in tandem to produce a unique sound experience for users, showcasing the impact of housing materials on the overall performance of mechanical switches.
Weight
The Durock Dolphin linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch have noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Dolphin has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Gold Red has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams, making it the lighter option between the two. The Dolphin's actuation force is unknown, while the Gold Red has an actuation force of 43 grams. The Gold Red switch requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Dolphin, which can impact typing speed and accuracy. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Dolphin for its higher bottom out force, while those looking for a lighter touch may opt for the Gold Red. Both switches offer different experiences and cater to different preferences when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the TTC Gold Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are popular for their quick response times, particularly favored by gamers. The slight difference of 0.2 mm between the two may not be noticeable to most users, but for those who are sensitive to travel distances, the Dolphin may feel slightly more responsive compared to the Gold Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference - whether you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for speed, or a slightly longer one for a more substantial key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
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 Durock Dolphin linear switch offers a muted and low-pitched sound profile, which is ideal for maintaining a quiet workspace. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound that adds a touch of personality without being overly loud. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, contributing to a deeper and mellow tone when typing. Due to these characteristics, you can expect a similar result in sound quality from both switches, with the Dolphin being slightly quieter and the Gold Red having a bit more personality.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Dolphin switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the TTC Gold Red switch provides a mild, silky, and subtle typing experience that is approachable to most users, with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches are polished, ensuring a sleek typing experience, but the Gold Red switch emphasizes smoothness and light typing feel. By considering these qualities, you can expect a similar level of smoothness and refined typing experience from both switches, with the Dolphin leaning towards a slightly more refined feel and the Gold Red focusing on overall smoothness.
In conclusion, the Durock Dolphin linear switch excels in providing a quiet and substantial typing experience with its muted sound profile and polished feel, ideal for those seeking a precise and satisfying press. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switch offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a touch of personality in its thocky sound profile, making it suitable for users looking for a light-medium level of resistance. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ultimately providing a satisfying typing experience depending on the user's needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, consider your environment and personal preference. If you value a quiet typing experience and prefer a switch with medium-heavy actuation force, the Durock Dolphin would be a great choice, particularly in office settings where noise levels need to be minimized. On the other hand, if you prefer a light-medium resistance switch with a buttery smooth feel and a subtle, thocky sound profile, the TTC Gold Red switch may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your typing style and the ambiance you want to create in your workspace.
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