Durock Medium Tactile vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Cherry MX Brown are two popular options to consider. The Durock Medium Tactile is known for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, offering a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, it has a unique jelly-like sound signature that adds a touch of character to your keystrokes. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switches boast a subtle and gentle tactility, providing a smooth typing experience without being too overwhelming. The audio feedback of the MX Browns is low-pitched and bassy, creating a more subdued typing sound. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision when choosing the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Cherry MX Brown switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Medium Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the MX Brown has a nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder tone. Therefore, while the Medium Tactile offers a clearer and more resonant sound, the MX Brown delivers a deeper and fuller tone.
Both the Medium Tactile and the MX Brown switches share the use of nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This material brings a similar quality to both switches, creating a consistent experience when typing on them. However, since the bottom housing has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, it is likely that the effect of the nylon housing will be more noticeable when actively pressing down on the keys.
In terms of aesthetics, the Medium Tactile's polycarbonate top housing offers the advantage of translucency, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the MX Brown's nylon top housing does not possess this feature. Therefore, if you prioritize the visual aspect of your keyboard and plan to incorporate RGB lighting, the Medium Tactile would be the preferred choice. Overall, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference regarding sound and lighting preferences, as well as the desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Durock Medium Tactile has an actuation force of unavailable grams, while the Cherry MX Brown requires 45 grams of force for actuation. This indicates that the MX Brown is lighter in terms of actuation force. In terms of bottom out force, the Durock Medium Tactile requires 65 grams of force, which is considered medium-heavy, while the MX Brown requires 55 grams, making it medium-light.
Considering weight is important because it can affect typing or gaming experiences. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the MX Brown as it requires less actuation force, allowing for longer, more comfortable typing sessions. This can be particularly beneficial for those bringing their keyboard to work or engaging in lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push and a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Durock Medium Tactile with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Cherry MX Brown offer different experiences due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces. Depending on personal preferences, individuals can choose between a lighter actuation force with the MX Brown or a stronger push with the Durock Medium Tactile for their ideal typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when selecting a keyboard, as it directly impacts the typing experience. In the case of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switches, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance of travel for both switches. As such, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience provided by these switches. Whether you opt for the Durock Medium Tactile or the Cherry MX Brown, you can enjoy a comfortable typing experience with a consistent travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile is known for its jelly-like sound signature. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available to describe the sound in more detail. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switches are described as having a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. This means that the sound produced by the MX Brown switches is deeper and richer, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, the Medium Tactile and MX Brown switches are likely to provide similar results in terms of sound, with the MX Brown offering a slightly deeper and bass-heavy tone.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile is known for its accented, stepped, mild, and polished characteristics. Accented switches provide a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Stepped switches have a two-stage feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Mild switches offer a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Lastly, polished switches have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switches are described as having a textured feel, meaning they have noticeable friction when pressed. Some users prefer this subtle texture, while others prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience. Both the Medium Tactile and MX Brown switches offer different tactile experiences, with the Durock switch providing more prominent tactility and a smoother typing experience compared to the textured feel of the MX Brown.
Based on the available information, the Durock Medium Tactile and Cherry MX Brown tactile switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Medium Tactile switch has a jelly-like sound signature, while the MX Brown switches have a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. In terms of feel, the Medium Tactile switch provides an accented, stepped, mild, and polished experience, while the MX Brown switches have a textured feel. These switches cater to different preferences, with the Medium Tactile switch offering a more pronounced tactility and smoother typing experience, and the MX Brown switches providing a subtler tactility and textured feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on the user's personal preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a pronounced yet balanced tactility, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is the right choice for you. It offers a jelly-like sound signature and provides an accented, stepped, mild, and polished feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with gentle tactility and muted audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown switch is the way to go. It has a medium-light bottom out force and is known for its subtlety. The MX Brown switch provides a textured feel, which may appeal to some users who prefer noticeable friction. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for tactility, sound, and feel. Consider the characteristics of each switch carefully to find the one that best suits your typing style and desired experience.
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