Durock Koala vs. KTT Phalaenopsis
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Koala and the KTT Phalaenopsis mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Koala is renowned for its balanced tactility, providing a noticeable bump without being overwhelming, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis stands out for its light actuation force and satisfying tactile bump, promising an effortless typing experience with minimal finger fatigue. While the Koala offers a polished and low-pitched typing experience, the Phalaenopsis boasts a bassy and thocky sound profile. 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
50g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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 spring
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Koala and the KTT Phalaenopsis, it is evident that both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of both the Koala and the Phalaenopsis. However, the Koala utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate bottom housing. This difference in bottom housing material may impact the overall sound and feel of typing on these switches.
While both the Koala and Phalaenopsis share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, the difference in bottom housing materials sets them apart in terms of sound profiles. The Koala's nylon bottom housing provides a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound when compared to the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate bottom housing. This distinction may create a noticeable variance in typing experience for users who prefer a deeper sound profile. Despite this difference, both switches aim to deliver a satisfying typing experience through their unique housing materials.
In conclusion, the choice of housing materials plays a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and overall feel of mechanical switches like the Durock Koala and the KTT Phalaenopsis. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and clear sound profile, the Koala's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound experience compared to the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate bottom housing. Understanding the impact of these housing materials on the typing experience can help users make an informed decision based on their sound preferences and typing style.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Koala has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Phalaenopsis has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. The actuation force of the Koala is unknown, while the Phalaenopsis has an actuation force of 37 grams. This means that the Phalaenopsis requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Koala. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Phalaenopsis for longer typing sessions, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Koala for a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent travel distance of 4 mm. This allows for a similar typing experience and feel when using either switch. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is the same, providing a consistent tactile feedback regardless of which switch you choose.
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 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 Koala switch offers a low-pitched and neutral profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone without being overly loud. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis switch produces a bassy and thocky sound, offering a deeper and richer sound profile that can be quite satisfying to the ears. Depending on your preference for sound, both switches can provide a pleasant typing experience, with the Koala leaning towards a more neutral tone and the Phalaenopsis offering a deeper and richer sound.
In terms of feel, the Durock Koala switch is described as polished, accented, stepped, and stiff, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with a noticeable tactile bump throughout the keystroke. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis switch is described as stepped, offering a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. While the Koala switch provides a more pronounced and prominent tactile experience, the Phalaenopsis switch offers a gentler touch that may appeal to those who prefer a lighter keypress.
Overall, the Durock Koala switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you enjoy a more neutral and polished typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, the Koala switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound profile with a gentler tactile feel, the Phalaenopsis switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, so choosing between the two will come down to your personal preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams and enjoy a pronounced bump without being overly loud, the Durock Koala switches are a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and effortless typing with a discernible tactile bump, the KTT Phalaenopsis switches would be more suitable for you. Additionally, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Koala switches would be ideal, while if you prefer a bassy and thocky sound profile, the Phalaenopsis switches would be more appealing. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for bottom out force, typing experience, and sound profile.
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