Haimu Neo White vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Haimu Neo White and the Durock Piano are both linear switches that offer unique characteristics. The Neo White stands out for its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing feel with a smooth actuation thanks to the rare Ly stem. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is known for its proprietary material blend, offering a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature while typing. While the Neo White is categorized as 'Mild' and 'Neutral', the Piano is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. Each switch has its own merits and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
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
Polycarbonate
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
Double-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Haimu Neo White and the Durock Piano, one key difference lies in the material used for the top housing. The Neo White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is in contrast to the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing, which offers a uniquely deep and satisfying sound profile. While both materials aim to enhance sound quality, polycarbonate may provide a brighter tone compared to the richer sound produced by POM blend.
Another point of comparison stems from the bottom housing materials used in these switches. The Neo White features a nylon bottom housing, which tends to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition. On the other hand, the Durock Piano boasts a proprietary POM blend bottom housing, known for providing a satisfying and deep sound profile. Although the specifics of the POM blend are unknown, it is clear that both materials aim to enhance the overall sound experience of the switch.
Despite their differences, the housing materials of the Neo White and the Piano play a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of these switches. While the impact of the bottom housing is felt when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing material dictates the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the selection of housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience, with polycarbonate offering a brighter sound profile in the Neo White, and POM blend providing a uniquely deep sound in the Piano. Ultimately, both switches aim to deliver a high-quality typing experience through their distinct housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is clear that both switches have a similar actuation force of None grams. However, the Haimu Neo White has a bottom out force of 58 grams, making it lighter compared to the Durock Piano, which has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it slightly heavier. The difference in bottom out force means that the Durock Piano will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience compared to the Haimu Neo White. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Haimu Neo White may be the better option for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Durock Piano would be more suitable for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Haimu Neo White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Neo White has a shorter travel distance compared to the Piano switch. The 0.4 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers and individuals looking for faster response times may prefer the Neo White with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Piano switch. Both options offer unique experiences and cater to different preferences in terms of typing feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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
When it comes to sound, the Haimu Neo White linear switch offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch provides a bassy sound profile with deeper and richer tones during key presses. Both switches will provide a satisfying typing experience, but if you prefer a deeper sound with a bassy tone, the Piano switch would be the better choice.
In terms of feel, the Haimu Neo White linear switch offers a mild typing experience, making it approachable to most users with its safe middle-ground characteristics. In contrast, the Durock Piano linear switch provides a frictionless and silky smooth typing experience, minimizing any resistance or friction when pressing the keys. If you prefer a typing experience that feels effortless and extremely smooth, the Piano switch would be the ideal choice for you.
Overall, both the Haimu Neo White and Durock Piano linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you enjoy a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience, the Neo White switch would be a great option. However, if you prefer a deeper, bassy sound profile and a frictionless, silky smooth typing experience, the Piano switch would be the better choice. Ultimately, your decision between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel during typing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, you should consider your preference for switch weight, typing feel, and sound profile. If you prefer a medium weight switch with a smooth actuation and a mild typing experience, the Haimu Neo White could be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a frictionless and silky smooth typing experience, along with a deep and rich sound profile, the Durock Piano may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing style, preferences, and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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