Durock Medium Tactile vs. Gazzew U4

Overview

The Durock Medium Tactile and the Gazzew U4 are two distinctive mechanical keyboard switches, both falling within the tactile switch category. The Medium Tactile, known for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, offers a unique jelly-like sound signature. With its accented, stepped, mild, and polished characteristics, this switch provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 stands out with its sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, accompanied by an unexpectedly plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation. Its sound profile is whisper quiet, thanks to its muted, low-pitched, and sharp attributes. When choosing between these switches, consider your preference for tactility, sound profile, and typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

$6.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Medium Tactile and the Gazzew U4 switches differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Medium Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This stiffer plastic material resonates clearly, making it ideal for those seeking a more pronounced sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for the integration of RGB lighting, adding to its visual appeal. On the other hand, the U4 switch utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, often referred to as "boba plastic." This unique plastic blend contributes to a rich and deep sound profile, enhanced by its softness. While the Medium Tactile focuses on a sharper and clearer sound, the U4 offers a more rounded and full-bodied auditory experience.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Medium Tactile employs a nylon material that brings about a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This material choice is ideal for those seeking a more muffled typing experience. In contrast, the Gazzew U4 utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, which, similar to the top housing, contributes to a rich and deep sound due to its softness. Both the Medium Tactile and the U4 achieve a satisfying sound, but through different means. While the Medium Tactile utilizes nylon for absorbing sound and creating a rounder profile, the U4's Gazzew blend bottom housing complements its top housing to produce a cohesive acoustic experience.

The different housing materials in the Medium Tactile and U4 switches distribute their qualities between the top and bottom, resulting in distinct experiences during key presses. The bottom housing of each switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, providing impact and feedback when a key is pressed down. The Medium Tactile's nylon bottom housing, with its softer and sound-absorbing properties, enhances the bottom-out experience by creating a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, the U4's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, which shares characteristics with its top housing, delivers a rich and deep sound profile, adding to the overall tactile feedback. Conversely, the top housing's influence becomes more noticeable when a key is released, impacting the sound quality at the moment of key release. Ultimately, the Medium Tactile and U4 switches offer unique combinations of housing materials that cater to different preferences in sound and tactile feedback.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the exact measurement for the Medium Tactile switch is unavailable, whereas the U4 requires 43 grams of force. Both switches fall within the medium range, but the U4 is slightly lighter in terms of actuation force. Moving on to bottom out force, the Medium Tactile switch exerts a medium-heavy force of 65 grams, while the U4 requires 62 grams, which is also in the medium range. Overall, the Medium Tactile switch has a heavier bottom out force compared to the U4 switch. This weight distinction is worth considering for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and enjoy a stronger push feel. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions may find the U4 more suitable. Despite the slight variation in actuation and bottom out forces, both switches offer a similar level of performance, ensuring that users can achieve their desired typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, it is clear that the Medium Tactile has a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm compared to the U4's travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Durock Medium Tactile falls into the category of more traditional travel distances, providing a deeper key press at 4.0 mm. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may be more appealing to gamers who value quicker response times. For those who prefer a more immediate and shallower feeling when pressing down on the key, the U4 would be the preferable option. However, if a more satisfying and hearty depth is desired, the Durock Medium Tactile with its longer travel distance would be the better choice. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and whether one prioritizes speed or a more substantial key press experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch has a distinctive jelly-like sound signature. It provides a pronounced yet balanced tactility, resulting in a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 switch offers a muted sound profile that is considered whisper quiet. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This is due to its low-pitched nature, which gives it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is described as an accented, stepped, mild, and polished switch. It offers a prominent level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, making it a great option for those who prefer a medium tactile experience. The stepped nature of this switch provides a mild feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Additionally, its mild characteristics ensure a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The polished finish of the switch contributes to a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.

In comparison, the Gazzew U4 switch is characterized by a sharp tactile bump. This switch is known for its high feedback intensity, offering a strong and crisp tactile experience with each keypress. The sharp nature of its tactile bump sets it apart from the Durock Medium Tactile switch, which has a more balanced and nuanced tactility.

Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile and Gazzew U4 switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Durock Medium Tactile provides a pronounced yet balanced tactility with a jelly-like sound signature, the Gazzew U4 offers a sharp tactile bump with a muted and low-pitched sound profile. These differences make each switch suitable for different preferences. However, it's important to consider other factors such as keyboard board and keycap choices to achieve the desired sound and feel. It is worth noting that if you prefer a softer and quieter sound with a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, the Gazzew U4 switch might provide a similar experience to the Durock Medium Tactile switch.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy switch with a balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile would be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium force switch with a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, along with a plush and felt-like bottom-out sensation, the Gazzew U4 would be a great option. In terms of sound, the Medium Tactile has a sound profile that is yet to be described, while the U4 is known for its muted and low-pitched sound. When it comes to feel, the Medium Tactile is described as accented, stepped, mild, and polished, while the U4 is known for its sharp tactile bump. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer their own unique characteristics. Happy typing!

Mentioned in this article

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$6.50 per 10

Learn more