Outemu Cold Plum vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Cold Plum and Durock Piano switches are both popular options, each offering unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Cold Plum switch is characterized by its thocky sound profile and smooth keystrokes, thanks to its fully nylon construction, making it a favorite among enthusiasts looking for a distinct and enjoyable typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch stands out for its proprietary material blend, resulting in a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. With categories such as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Piano switch offers a different typing experience compared to the Cold Plum. 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
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Outemu Cold Plum's nylon top housing and bottom housing both contribute to creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on the switch. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound effectively and produces a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. In contrast, the Durock Piano's proprietary POM blend top and bottom housings also aim to offer a satisfying and deep sound profile. While the exact details of the blend used in the Piano's housing are unknown, it is clear that both switches prioritize enhancing the sound experience for the user.
Although both the Cold Plum and Piano switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, they ultimately serve to complement each other in creating a unique typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing material significantly influence the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, whereas the top housing material has a more pronounced impact on the sound when releasing a key. In essence, both switches aim to provide a tactile and satisfying typing experience by balancing the characteristics of their top and bottom housings.
Overall, while the specific materials used in the Cold Plum and Piano switches differ - nylon for the Cold Plum and a proprietary POM blend for the Piano - the end goal of creating a deep and satisfying sound profile remains consistent. Both switches leverage the properties of their respective housing materials to enhance the sound and tactile feedback when typing. The choice between the Cold Plum and Piano switches may ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel, as both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is evident that the Cold Plum has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Piano's unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Cold Plum is 70 grams, while the Piano's bottom out force is 63.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of force required. Those who prefer a lighter typing touch may lean towards the Durock Piano due to its lighter bottom out force, making it more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, individuals looking for a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Outemu Cold Plum with its slightly heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Durock Piano linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cold Plum offers a quicker and more responsive key press, which can be beneficial for gamers looking for fast response times. On the other hand, the Piano switch provides a deeper and more substantial key press, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference in terms of travel distance and key press feel.
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 Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 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 Outemu Cold Plum switches are known for their thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying and distinct auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switches offer a deep, creamy sound signature that is described as bassy, adding richness to each key press. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience, depending on personal preference and setup.
As for the feel, the Cold Plum switches are recognized for their smooth keystrokes, providing a satisfying tactile feedback to typists. In comparison, the Durock Piano switches are known for their frictionless and silky feel, offering an effortlessly smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, but the Piano switches are particularly highlighted for their smooth and gliding push feel, enhancing the overall typing comfort.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Cold Plum and Durock Piano switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Cold Plum switches excel in providing a thocky sound profile and smooth keystrokes, while the Piano switches offer a deep, creamy sound signature and a frictionless, silky typing feel. Depending on whether you prefer a distinct sound or a smooth typing experience, both switches provide excellent options that can enhance your overall typing satisfaction. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are seeking.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing experience. If you enjoy a unique thocky sound profile, fully nylon construction, and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, then the Outemu Cold Plum switch may be the ideal choice for you. However, if you prefer a gliding push feel, deep and creamy sound signature, and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, then the Durock Piano switch could be more suited to your typing style. Consider factors such as sound, feel, and bottom out force to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Happy typing!
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