Durock Ice King Linear vs. KTT Phalaenopsis
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Linear to the KTT Phalaenopsis, it's clear that both switches offer unique benefits to enhance your typing experience. The Ice King Linear provides a silky smooth typing experience with its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, creating a frictionless and creamy feel while typing. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis offers a light actuation force of 37g and a satisfying tactile bump at 50g, making each keystroke effortless and delightful. While the Ice King is categorized as silky and subdued, the Phalaenopsis is described as bassy and thocky. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, depending on your typing preferences. 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
52g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Phalaenopsis both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Ice King Linear features a nylon top housing, known for its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Phalaenopsis utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound. While the Ice King Linear offers a duller and rounder sound, the Phalaenopsis delivers a clear and resonant sound, especially ideal for switches with RGB lighting.
On the flip side, the bottom housings of the Ice King Linear and Phalaenopsis also showcase the differences between nylon and polycarbonate materials. The nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Linear offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Phalaenopsis creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, complementing its polycarbonate top housing. Both switches maintain consistency in sound quality from top to bottom, emphasizing the importance of housing materials in switch design and performance.
Overall, the choice between nylon and polycarbonate housing materials ultimately depends on the sound profile you prefer in a switch. The Durock Ice King Linear provides a consistent deep and full sound with both nylon top and bottom housings, while the KTT Phalaenopsis delivers a sharp and resonant sound with its polycarbonate housings. Whether you prioritize a dull and round sound or a clear and crisp sound, each switch offers a unique typing experience based on the materials used in its housing. Ultimately, both switches demonstrate the impact that housing materials have on sound quality and overall typing feel.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 37 grams, making the Ice King Linear switch heavier. In terms of bottom out force, the Ice King Linear requires 62 grams, while the Phalaenopsis only requires 50 grams, making the Ice King Linear heavier in this aspect as well. The heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Ice King Linear provide a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Phalaenopsis make it ideal for users who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distances between the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, it is clear that the Ice King Linear has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Phalaenopsis's 4 mm. This means that the Ice King Linear offers a quicker key press response due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers seeking fast input recognition. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis with its longer travel distance provides a more substantial key press feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper actuation point. Both switches have their respective advantages, with the Ice King Linear offering speed and the Phalaenopsis offering a more tactile experience. Whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance ultimately depends on your personal typing or gaming preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Linear has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Linear for $4.20.
The KTT Phalaenopsis has an MSRP of $4.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Phalaenopsis for $4.15.
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 Ice King Linear switch is described as producing a more subdued sound compared to most switches, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is characterized by a bassy and thocky sound profile, providing a deeper and richer sound with a satisfying thud or knock when pressed and released. Both switches offer different sound experiences, with the Ice King Linear being more muted and the Phalaenopsis being more robust and full-bodied, catering to different preferences for sound during typing sessions.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Linear switch is praised for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless feel with minimal resistance or friction. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis tactile switch is described as stepped, providing a unique two-stage tactile feedback with some pre-travel and post-travel sensation compared to a traditional uniform bump throughout the keystroke. While the Ice King Linear focuses on smoothness and ease of typing, the Phalaenopsis offers a different tactile sensation with a distinct feel during each key press, catering to those who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Linear and KTT Phalaenopsis switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Linear provides a subdued sound and a silky smooth typing experience, while the Phalaenopsis offers a bassy sound and a stepped tactile feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, users can choose between the two switches to enhance their typing experience. Keep in mind that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so experimenting with different setups can help achieve the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches, consider your preference for a medium bottom out force of 62 grams with a silky smooth typing experience offered by the Ice King Linear. If you value a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and a delightful tactile bump, then the Phalaenopsis switch is the way to go. Furthermore, if you prefer a more subdued sound profile, the Ice King Linear is suitable, whereas if you enjoy a bassy and thocky sound, the Phalaenopsis switch is more appealing. Lastly, if you prefer a silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience, the Ice King Linear is the choice for you, while the Phalaenopsis offers a stepped tactile feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and tactile feel.
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