Durock Dolphin vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Mamba mechanical keyboard switches, it is important to note the differences in their characteristics and qualities. The Durock Dolphin, a linear switch, is known for its silent operation, making it a perfect choice for office settings or quieter workspaces. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, it provides a satisfying press with a bit more resistance, appealing to those who prefer a switch with a substantial feel. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba, also a linear switch, offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience, providing a unique typing experience. While the Dolphin is characterized by polished, muted, and low-pitched qualities, the Mamba is described as neutral, mild, thocky, and polished. Choosing between these two switches will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and typing style; however, let's delve a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Mamba, it is clear that they offer distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound, thanks to its relatively stiff nature. On the other hand, the Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a pleasant, brighter sound profile that is not particularly sharp. The translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting, while the unique blend in the Mamba's top housing adds a touch of brightness without being too sharp.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the differences continue to set the Dolphin and the Mamba apart. The Dolphin's nylon bottom housing creates a deep and full sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound to produce a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Mamba's POM bottom housing offers a deeper and more muted sound profile that is described as incredibly pleasing and unique. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a balance of impact on the sound and feel when using these switches.
While the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Mamba bring their own unique qualities to the table, they both ultimately enhance the overall typing experience in different ways. The Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the Mamba's blend top housing offers a brighter and more pleasant sound. Similarly, the nylon and POM bottom housings of the Dolphin and Mamba, respectively, contribute to the switches' distinctive sound profiles. Whether you prefer a sharper, clear sound or a deeper, fuller sound, both the Dolphin and the Mamba provide quality housing materials that cater to different preferences.
Weight
The Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch both have medium bottom out forces of 62 grams and 60 grams, respectively. However, the actuation force of the Dolphin is not specified, while the Mamba also has an unspecified actuation force. In terms of weight, the Dolphin is slightly heavier than the Mamba due to its higher bottom out force. When considering weight, lighter switches like the Mamba are preferred for extended typing or gaming sessions, as they require less force to press. On the other hand, switches with heavier forces like the Dolphin may offer a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, whether you choose the Dolphin or the Mamba will depend on your personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Dolphin switch offers a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mamba switch, which may appeal to those who prefer a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Mamba switch with its shorter travel distance could be favored by gamers looking for faster response times. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Dolphin linear switch is known for its muted and low-pitched characteristics, providing a softer and quieter typing experience suitable for quieter environments. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a thocky quality, resulting in a deep and rich auditory feedback that is satisfying to the ears. While the Dolphin focuses on minimizing noise levels, the Mamba delivers a more pronounced and enjoyable sound with a touch of bass-heavy tones.
In terms of feel, both the Dolphin and Mamba switches are highlighted for their polished attributes, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. The Dolphin switch specifically provides a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, delivering a substantial feel that balances precision with a satisfying press, making it ideal for those who prefer switches with a bit more resistance. On the other hand, the Mamba switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, providing a gentle and comfortable feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone.
Overall, while the Durock Dolphin and Mamba linear switches may differ in sound and feel, they both offer a polished typing experience that caters to different preferences. The Dolphin excels in providing a quieter typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force, ideal for those who prioritize noise levels and precision. In contrast, the Mamba delivers a more pronounced and enjoyable typing experience with a rich and creamy auditory feedback, suitable for users looking for a satisfying sound profile. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and performance.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you need a silent switch for an office setting or anywhere noise levels are a concern, the Dolphin with its muted sound profile and medium-heavy actuation force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a smoother typing experience with a gliding sensation and rich sound, the Mamba's neutral sound profile and polished feel may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose based on what factors matter most to you in your typing experience.
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