Durock Koala vs. KTT MoonRosa
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the KTT MoonRosa switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Koala mechanical keyboard switch is known for its perfect balance of tactile feedback, providing a pronounced bump without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, the KTT MoonRosa switch offers a smooth and easy-to-press linear experience with a neutral sound profile. While the Koala is polished, low-pitched, and stiff, the MoonRosa is mild, low-pitched, and easy-to-press. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences in typing experience. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Koala utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the KTT MoonRosa features a POM top housing that creates a deeper and more muted sound. While the Koala's polycarbonate top housing offers clear and resonant sound due to its stiffness, the MoonRosa's POM top housing provides a unique and pleasing sound experience with deeper tones. Despite their differences, both housing materials offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Koala employs a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Similarly, the MoonRosa utilizes a POM bottom housing that also contributes to a pleasing and unique sound experience with deeper tones. Both switches offer a more muted sound profile due to the bottom housing material, appealing to users who prefer a quieter typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the Durock Koala and KTT MoonRosa plays a significant role in shaping the sound profiles of each switch. While the Koala's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, the MoonRosa's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing in the Koala produces a fuller sound profile, while the POM bottom housing in the MoonRosa contributes to a unique and pleasing sound experience. Ultimately, both switches provide distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT MoonRosa linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Koala has an actuation force of None grams, meaning it requires no force to trigger a keystroke, while the MoonRosa has an actuation force of 37 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Koala requires 67 grams of force to press all the way down, making it medium-heavy, whereas the MoonRosa only needs 45 grams, which is considered light. The Koala offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, while the MoonRosa provides a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference, with some preferring a lighter touch for extended use and others favoring a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT MoonRosa linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the MoonRosa has a shorter travel distance compared to the Koala. The shorter travel distance of the MoonRosa may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, while the Koala's longer travel distance might be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial keypress feel. Both switches offer distinct advantages depending on personal preference, with the shorter distance providing quick input and the longer distance offering a more satisfying keystroke. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual typing preferences and desired feel while typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
The KTT MoonRosa comes in at $4.88 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
When it comes to sound, both the Durock Koala and KTT MoonRosa switches are described as having a low-pitched sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Koala, however, is also noted to have a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Koala switch offers a polished typing experience with an accented tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. The switch's stepped tactility provides a unique typing sensation with a mild bump that doesn't span the entire keystroke, resulting in a refined and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT MoonRosa switch is described as mild and easy-to-press, offering a gentle typing experience with minimal resistance during key presses. This makes the MoonRosa switch approachable and comfortable for most users, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Durock Koala tactile switch and KTT MoonRosa linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While both switches share a low-pitched sound profile, the Koala provides a polished and accented tactile feedback with a stepped tactility, catering to users who prefer a more pronounced bump without being too stiff. On the other hand, the MoonRosa switch offers a mild and easy-to-press typing experience, making it a great option for those seeking a buttery smooth keystroke with minimal resistance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and typing style, ensuring that you get the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT MoonRosa linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force with a pronounced bump and a bit of resonance, the Koala switch is a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force with a buttery smooth typing experience and a neutral sound signature, the MoonRosa switch would be more suitable for you. Additionally, if you appreciate a more polished, accented, and stepped tactile feel, the Koala switch is the way to go. However, if you prefer a mild and easy-to-press linear switch for a gentle typing experience, the MoonRosa switch would be a better fit. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing preferences and the overall feel you desire in your mechanical keyboard.
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