Durock Koala vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Durock Koala, a tactile switch, and the Durock Piano, a linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. The Koalas are a great choice for those who desire a tactile experience without it being too overwhelming. With a stepped tactility and a bit of resonance, they offer a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the Pianos stand out for their smooth and frictionless linear feel, providing a gliding push sensation and a deep, creamy sound. While the Koalas are categorized as 'Polished', 'Low-pitched', 'Accented', 'Neutral', 'Stepped', and 'Stiff', the Pianos are described as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Koala features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. On the other hand, the Durock Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend top housing that offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While the Koala's top housing is more translucent and ideal for RGB lighting, the Piano's top housing material remains a mystery in terms of its exact composition. These differences in top housing material contribute to the distinct sound profiles of the two switches.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Durock Koala boasts a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Durock Piano features a proprietary POM blend bottom housing that also offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Despite not knowing the exact details of the blend, this bottom housing material contributes to the overall sound profile of the Piano switch. Both switches benefit from the specific qualities that their bottom housing material brings to the table.
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Koala and the Durock Piano, it is clear that they each offer unique sound profiles due to their top and bottom housing materials. While the Koala utilizes polycarbonate and nylon for its top and bottom housings, respectively, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend for both top and bottom housings. This difference results in distinct sound profiles for each switch, with the Koala producing a sharper and crisper sound, and the Piano offering a deep and satisfying sound. Despite these variations, both switches are designed to provide an exceptional typing experience with their carefully chosen housing materials.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the Durock Piano 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 Piano also has an actuation force of None grams, indicating the same light touch needed. However, the Koala has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Piano, which has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that while both switches have a light touch for actuation, the Koala provides a slightly heavier typing experience when bottoming out. These differences in force can cater to individual preferences, with the Koala offering a more substantial typing feel compared to the Piano.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of key travel distance when using either switch. The 4 mm travel distance provides a satisfying tactile feedback for the Koala switch, while also offering a smooth linear keystroke for the Piano switch. Overall, the travel distance on both switches allows for comfortable and efficient typing experiences, regardless of the switch type being used.
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 Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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 Koala tactile switch is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone without being too loud. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and rich bassy sound during key presses, giving a smooth and creamy sound signature. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Koala focusing on a more subdued tone while the Piano emphasizes a richer sound experience.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Koala tactile switch is described as polished, accented, stepped, and stiff, offering a refined typing experience with a moderate amount of tactility that is not overwhelming. The Piano linear switch, on the other hand, is characterized as frictionless and silky, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing feel with minimal resistance. While the Koala offers a stepped tactility and a slightly stiffer typing experience, the Piano excels in providing a gliding push feel with a silky smooth key travel.
Overall, the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch offer distinct qualities in both sound and feel. The Koala provides a balanced tactile typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, while the Piano delivers a smooth and creamy linear typing feel with a deep bassy sound signature. Whether you prefer a pronounced bump with a polished finish or a gliding push feel with a silky smooth texture, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the Koala and Piano switches will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel, ensuring that you'll get a satisfying typing experience with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a tactile switch with a pronounced bump that is not too overwhelming, then the Koala would be a great choice for you. The Koala also offers a low-pitched sound profile, making it suitable for various environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound signature, the Piano linear switch might be more appealing to you. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so consider what typing experience you prioritize when making your decision.
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