Durock Koala vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Koala and the SP-Star Yanyu offer distinct experiences to cater to different preferences. The Durock Koala is a tactile switch known for its balanced keystrokes that provide a satisfying bump without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu is a linear switch that offers a more delicate typing experience, perfect for extended typing sessions. While the Koala boasts a polished, accented feel with a pronounced bump, the Yanyu stands out for its subtle, feathery keystrokes with a crisp sound profile. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your personal preference and typing style; 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
43g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Durock Koala and SP-Star Yanyu both offer unique housing materials for their switches. The Koala features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. In contrast, the Yanyu utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards a brighter tone. While the Koala's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Yanyu's blend offers a more pleasant and unique sound profile that is different from the typical nylon material.
Both switches showcase the impact of different housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switch. The use of polycarbonate in the Koala's top housing allows for a clear and resonant sound, while the Yanyu's blend offers a brighter and more pleasant tone. On the other hand, both switches use nylon in their bottom housing, with the Koala providing a duller and rounder sound compared to the Yanyu's unique blend. This showcases how the combination of different housing materials can influence the overall sound profile of a switch.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Koala and SP-Star Yanyu will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. While the Koala offers a sharper and crisper tone with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the Yanyu provides a more unique and pleasant sound with its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top and bottom housing. Both switches offer a high-quality typing experience, with the differences in housing materials leading to distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch differ in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Durock Koala has a bottom out force of 67 grams, giving it a medium-heavy feel, while the SP-Star Yanyu has a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it lighter in comparison. The actuation force of both switches is unknown, but the difference in bottom out force suggests that the Koala may require a stronger push for activation compared to the Yanyu. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Koala may be the better choice, while those who prefer a lighter feel may lean towards the Yanyu. Ultimately, the weight of the switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a switch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, providing users with a consistent typing experience in terms of keypress depth. Both switches offer a similar feel when pressing down on the key due to their identical travel distances. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing experience regardless of which switch they choose. In conclusion, the travel distance of both the Durock Koala and the SP-Star Yanyu switches is the same, making them equally suitable options for those looking for a standard keypress depth in their mechanical keyboard.
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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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, both the Durock Koala and SP-Star Yanyu switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The Koala is noted for its low-pitched sound, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Yanyu is described as thocky, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Koala switch is characterized as polished, accented, stepped, and stiff. These qualities combine to offer a tactile switch with a smooth and refined finish, providing a sleek typing experience with a pronounced but not overwhelming bump. In comparison, the SP-Star Yanyu switch is mild, feathery, subtle, and polished. This means it offers a more gentle typing experience with light actuation force and reduced finger fatigue, while maintaining a smooth key travel for comfortable extended typing sessions.
Overall, the Durock Koala tactile switch and SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of both sound and feel. If you prefer a switch with a more pronounced bump and a low-pitched sound, the Koala would be a great choice. However, if you are looking for a lighter and more subtle typing experience with a thocky sound profile, the Yanyu switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force with a pronounced bump and some resonance without being too loud, the Koala may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light bottom out force with a more delicate typing experience and a crisp sound profile, the Yanyu switch could be the better option. Ultimately, it's important to choose the switch that aligns with your typing style and preferences to enhance your overall typing experience.
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