SP-Star Meteor Orange vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Durock Piano. The Meteor Orange switches are renowned for their exquisitely gentle nature, offering a soft and seductive tactility along with a neutral sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Pianos are known for their proprietary material blend, making them one of the most pleasant linear switches to type on. Users often praise the gliding push feel they provide, along with a deep and creamy sound signature. While both switches offer their own unique advantages, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so that you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Durock Piano exhibit some similarities and differences. The Meteor Orange utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The Piano, however, features a proprietary POM blend top housing, offering a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Although the exact details of this blend are unknown, it is clear that it enhances the overall sound experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches boast classic nylon and POM blend materials, respectively. Nylon exhibits similar qualities to its top housing counterpart, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Through its softer plastic composition, nylon effectively absorbs more sound and produces a rounder sound. Similarly, the Durock Piano's proprietary POM blend bottom housing complements its top housing, promoting a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While the exact details of the blend remain undisclosed, it is evident that the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch.
It is worth noting that when a switch has different top and bottom housing materials, the characteristics of each material are divided between the top and bottom. This means that the bottom housing primarily influences the sound and feel when the key is pressed down, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when the key is released. Therefore, the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Durock Piano may provide similar results in terms of sound quality since both housing combinations strive to enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is evident that there are differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. Unfortunately, the actuation force for both switches is unavailable. However, considering the available information, the Meteor Orange has a bottom out force of 57 grams, which is considered medium-light. On the other hand, the Piano switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category.
The difference in bottom out force showcases the variance in typing experiences between the two switches. For users who prefer a lighter feel, the Meteor Orange would be a suitable choice as it allows for longer typing sessions without excessive finger fatigue. This would be ideal for individuals who use their keyboards for extended periods, such as during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Piano switch offers a heavier touch, providing a more substantial typing experience. This can be preferred by users who enjoy a stronger push and prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback.
While the actuation force remains unknown for both switches, it is likely that, depending on the design, they will provide similar results. Users looking for switches with light actuation forces can opt for the Meteor Orange, as its medium-light bottom out force suggests a comparable actuation force. Similarly, individuals seeking switches with heavier actuation forces may find the Piano switch to be a viable option, given its medium-heavy bottom out force.
Ultimately, the decision between the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch will depend on the user's preference for typing feel and their desired weight. Those preferring a lighter touch may gravitate towards the Meteor Orange, while those seeking a heavier push may lean towards the Piano switch.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches require the same amount of force to push them down to the bottom. When pressing down a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, the results will be similar for both switches in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor Orange has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor Orange for $5.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch is best described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound when pressed and released, making it suitable for most purposes, whether you're a beginner or an advanced user and whether you plan to use it at home or work. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch has a deep and creamy sound signature. It offers a rich and bassy sound profile, with a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch offers a gentle typing experience. It falls into the mild category, providing a more approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The switch also has a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience. This is achieved through the materials used or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience. It offers an extremely smooth and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel and ensures minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Taking into account all the available information, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch stands out for its gentle and soft tactility, along with a neutral sound profile. It offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is known for its proprietary material blend that provides a pleasant linear typing experience. It offers a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature characterized by a bassy sound profile. Both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of whether one prefers a tactile or linear switch.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a switch with a gentle and seductive tactility, as well as a neutral sound profile, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a medium-light bottom out force of 57 grams, it offers a mild and polished typing experience that is approachable to most. Additionally, if you appreciate a deep and satisfying sound when pressing keys, the Meteor Orange switch also provides a thocky sound signature.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, the Durock Piano switch might be more suitable for your typing preferences. It is best known for its proprietary material blend, offering a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. With a bassy sound profile, the Piano switch provides a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones.
Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch comes down to your personal preference for tactility, sound, and feel. Consider your typing style, desired sound profile, and whether you prefer a tactile or linear switch. This will ensure that you find the perfect switch that enhances your typing experience.
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