Durock Piano vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Piano and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear are both popular choices for mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Durock Piano is widely regarded for its proprietary material blend, resulting in a pleasant typing experience characterized by a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound. It falls into the category of being 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear stands out for its innovative design, providing a whisper-quiet topping-out sound combined with a satisfying clacky bottom-out sound. Known for its silky smooth type feel, it offers a balance between a muted and responsive typing experience. Categorized as 'Subdued', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', it offers a different set of qualities to enhance your typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Mystery material
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Piano and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear differ in terms of their housing materials. The Piano features a proprietary POM blend top housing, while the Semi-Silent Linear utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The POM blend in the Piano offers a satisfying and deep sound profile, although the exact details of the blend are unknown. On the other hand, the polycarbonate in the Semi-Silent Linear creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound. However, both materials have their own aesthetic advantages. Polycarbonate's translucency makes it particularly useful for utilizing RGB lighting.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend bottom housing, while the Semi-Silent Linear utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The POM blend in the Piano results in a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. However, the nylon bottom housing in the Semi-Silent Linear elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. When typing on switches with nylon bottom housing, you can expect a more pronounced and immersive auditory experience.
While the top and bottom housings of a switch can have different materials, they each contribute to different aspects of the overall sound and feel. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Both the Durock Piano and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, delivering satisfying and variable sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Unfortunately, the specific actuation forces for both switches are unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. However, it can be noted that both switches fall under the medium to medium-heavy range in terms of bottom out force.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the weight of the switch becomes an important factor. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that the Durock Piano switch is lighter since its bottom out force is 63.5 grams, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Durock Piano switch may be more suitable for individuals who desire a lighter switch, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without experiencing as much fatigue.
On the other hand, some individuals prefer switches that provide a stronger push feel, resulting in a more substantial typing experience. For these users, options with heavier forces are preferred. While the differences in bottom out force between the Durock Piano and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches are minimal, it can be speculated that the Durock Piano switch might offer a slightly stronger push feel due to its higher bottom out force.
Overall, although the specific actuation forces for both switches are unknown, it can be inferred that the Durock Piano linear switch may offer a lighter typing experience compared to the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch due to its slightly higher bottom out force. However, since actuation force information is unavailable, it is difficult to make a definitive comparison in this aspect. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on personal preferences regarding typing feel and desired weight.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch have different travel distances. The Durock Piano has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has a travel distance of 3.7mm. In terms of comparison, the Piano has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Semi-Silent Linear. The Piano's 4.0mm travel distance is a more traditional option, providing a sense of depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear's 3.7mm travel distance is slightly shorter, which may appeal to gamers who prioritize faster response times. The preference for a shorter or longer travel distance ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness. Both options offer unique experiences, and it is important to consider whether a shallower or deeper travel distance aligns better with individual preferences.
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 Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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 Durock Piano linear switch is best known for its pleasant linear typing experience. The switch offers a gliding push feel, meaning that typing on it feels smooth and effortless. Additionally, it has a deep and creamy sound signature that can be characterized as bassy, providing a rich and satisfying auditory experience.
On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch stands out for its innovative design. It features a semi-silent label because it produces a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. This means that the switch offers a more subdued sound profile compared to most switches. Its type feel is described as silky smooth, providing a frictionless and comfortable typing experience that is not over-polished.
When comparing the sound qualities of these switches, the Durock Piano offers a bassy sound profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has a more subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Durock Piano switch is described as frictionless and silky. It offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. It is also exceptionally smooth, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has a mild feel, providing a gentle typing experience. It falls into a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. Additionally, it is described as snappy, indicating its super responsiveness, which makes the typing experience feel more alive. Furthermore, it is said to have a buttery and polished feel, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Durock Piano linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch have their own distinct subjective qualities. The Piano switch offers a pleasant linear typing experience with a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch stands out for its innovative semi-silent design, offering a subdued sound and a silky smooth feel. Both switches provide a smooth typing experience, but the Piano is characterized by its bassy sound and frictionless feel, while the Semi-Silent Linear has a more gentle and snappy feel with a subdued sound. Depending on personal preferences and specific needs, these switches can deliver similar results in terms of overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a pleasant and smooth typing experience with a deep, creamy sound signature, you should choose the Durock Piano linear switch. Its frictionless and silky feel provides an effortless typing experience, making it ideal for those who want a fluid and polished keystroke. Additionally, if you enjoy a bassy sound profile with a lower frequency range, the Piano switch would suit your preferences.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a semi-silent switch with a subtle and subdued sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear would be your best choice. Despite not being completely silent, it provides a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. The Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a silky smooth feel, suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. Its mild and snappy characteristics ensure a gentle typing experience, while still offering a sense of responsiveness.
Overall, the Durock Piano linear switch and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. Consider your desired sound profile, typing experience, and noise level when making your choice. Ultimately, whether you prioritize a deep and creamy sound or a semi-silent and subtle sound, both switches provide high-quality options for your mechanical keyboard.
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