Durock Medium Tactile vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Akko V3 Piano Pro offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Durock Medium Tactile is celebrated for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, creating a jelly-like sound signature that appeals to tactile switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro stands out for its snappy sound signature and smooth actuation, providing a lively and crisp typing experience for linear switch fans. While the Medium Tactile is categorized as 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the V3 Piano Pro boasts categories such as 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Polished', 'Resonant', and 'Silky'. Each switch has its own set of characteristics that make them desirable, but to truly determine the best fit for your typing needs, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities.
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
1.90 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
Overall, the main difference between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Akko V3 Piano Pro lies in the materials used for their housing. The Medium Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro utilizes a nylon top housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both materials have their unique qualities, the polycarbonate in the Medium Tactile is stiffer, leading to a more clear and resonant sound, while the softer nylon in the V3 Piano Pro absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material's ability to absorb sound plays a significant role in creating a more muted and rounded sound when compared to harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material means that the typing experience and sound produced by pressing down on the switches will have a consistent tone and feel. However, the top housing material will still influence the sound profile when releasing a key, with the polycarbonate in the Medium Tactile producing a clearer sound, while the nylon in the V3 Piano Pro creates a fuller sound upon key release.
Overall, while the housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Akko V3 Piano Pro are different, they both bring unique qualities to the typing experience. The polycarbonate top housing of the Medium Tactile offers a sharp and resonant sound, ideal for users who prefer a crisper typing feel. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the V3 Piano Pro provides a deeper and fuller sound, perfect for those who enjoy a more subdued typing experience. Despite their differences, both switches incorporate nylon in their bottom housing, resulting in a consistent deeper sound profile when pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing feel.
Weight
The Durock Medium Tactile switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light. The actuation force of the Medium Tactile is unknown, but the V3 Piano Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the V3 Piano Pro switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Medium Tactile switch. Some may prefer the lighter V3 Piano Pro for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the heavier Medium Tactile for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Durock switch would be considered the longer option compared to the Akko switch. The 4.0mm travel distance on the Durock provides a more traditional keypress feel, while the 3.5mm travel distance on the Akko offers a slightly shallower experience. Gamers looking for faster response times might prefer the shorter travel distance of the Akko switch, while those who enjoy a deeper keypress sensation may lean towards the Durock switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer unique experiences based on their travel distances, and the choice between them would depend on the individual's preference for keypress depth.
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 Akko V3 Piano Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Piano Pro for $3.10.
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 switch has a jelly-like sound signature that provides a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch is known for its snappy and lively sound, adding a crisp quality to each keystroke. The Piano Pro switches have a clacky and resonant sound profile, while the Medium Tactile's sound quality is not specified. Remember that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as your keyboard and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is described as accented, stepped, mild, and polished, offering a pleasant tactile experience without being overwhelming. The Akko V3 Piano Pro switch, on the other hand, provides a bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky feel, enhancing the smoothness and elasticity of each keystroke. Both switches have a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and a sleek typing experience.
Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile and Akko V3 Piano Pro switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Medium Tactile switch provides a balanced tactility and jelly-like sound, the Piano Pro switch delivers a snappy sound and smooth actuation. Choosing between the two will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel, as both switches offer high-quality performance. If you're looking for a unique tactile experience, the Durock Medium Tactile may be the way to go, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro is great for those who prefer a lively and smooth typing feel. Ultimately, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, tactility, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a balanced, pronounced tactility with a jelly-like sound signature, the Medium Tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a snappy, lively sound signature with smooth actuation, the V3 Piano Pro switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience, sound, and feel.
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