PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock Piano both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea, a linear switch by BSUN, is renowned for its high-pitched yet muted sound profile, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a balance between presence and subtlety. With a bottom-out force of 43.5g and a stem material made of Ly, the Milk Tea switch is designed for comfortable and effortless typing during extended sessions. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch stands out for its smooth and creamy typing experience, thanks to its proprietary material blend that offers a gliding push feel. While the Piano switch is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Milk Tea is labeled as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', 'Polished', 'Silky', and 'Resonant'. Both switches have their unique strengths and qualities that appeal to different preferences; 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
37.5g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock Piano both feature POM housing materials in their construction. The Milk Tea's POM top housing and the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing are both known for creating a uniquely pleasing and deep sound profile. However, while the sound profile of the Milk Tea is described as relatively more muted, the exact details of the Piano's POM blend remain unknown. Nonetheless, both keyboards will likely provide a rich auditory experience for users.
In terms of bottom housing, the story remains much the same for the Milk Tea and the Piano. Both keyboards utilize POM materials for their bottom housings, resulting in an incredibly pleasing and deep sound profile. The unique qualities of the POM material are split between the bottom and top of the switch in each keyboard, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. This dual impact of housing materials ensures a comprehensive auditory and tactile experience for users of both keyboards.
Overall, the use of POM housing materials in both the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock Piano highlights a focus on providing users with a satisfying sound profile. While there may be slight differences in the exact details of the POM blend used in each keyboard, both are designed to offer a deep and pleasing auditory experience. Whether pressing down on a key or releasing it, users can expect a unique sound profile that is a result of the careful selection and implementation of high-quality housing materials. Ultimately, fans of POM keyboards will likely find both the Milk Tea and the Piano to be impressive options for their typing and gaming needs.
Weight
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch differ in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The Milk Tea has a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams compared to the Piano's unknown actuation force. The Milk Tea also has a lighter bottom out force of 43.5 grams, while the Piano has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Milk Tea for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may prefer the Piano. In this case, the Milk Tea provides a lighter typing experience while the Piano offers a heavier, more tactile feel.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the Durock Piano linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Milk Tea switch would provide a slightly quicker response due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster reaction times. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch offers a bit more depth in the key press, which may be more satisfying for those who prefer a more substantial feel. Both switches fall within the range of modern travel distances, so regardless of which one you choose, you can expect similar results in terms of performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Milk Tea has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milk Tea for $4.00.
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
The Milk Tea linear switch is known for its high-pitched and somewhat muted sound profile, creating a gentle balance between presence and subtlety during key presses. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep, creamy sound signature with a gliding push feel, thanks to its proprietary material blend. While the Milk Tea is described as clacky, high-pitched, and somewhat marbly in sound, the Piano is characterized as bassy, providing a richer and deeper audio experience. When it comes to feel, the Milk Tea is polished and silky, offering a smooth and refined typing experience, whereas the Piano is noted for being frictionless and silky, providing an extremely smooth and effortless key press. Both switches excel in offering a pleasant typing experience, albeit with slightly different sound profiles and tactile feels. However, if you prefer a smoother and refined typing experience with a balance of presence and subtlety, the Milk Tea might be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deep, creamy sound with a gliding push feel, the Durock Piano could be the perfect fit for your keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience for users with different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prioritize a lighter bottom-out force and a unique auditory experience with a balance between presence and subtlety, the Milk Tea may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a pleasant typing experience with a deep, creamy sound signature, the Piano switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a keyboard switch.
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