Durock Piano vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Two popular choices are the Durock Piano, a linear switch, and the TTC Silent Bluish White, a tactile switch. The Durock Piano is best known for its proprietary material blend, which results in a smooth and satisfying typing experience. With a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, this switch is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White offers a medium tactile feel, providing a level of resistance that makes typing precise and comfortable. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. Characterized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Stepped', 'Muted', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', their satisfying tactility doesn't come with a disruptive noise. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Piano and TTC Silent Bluish White have different housing materials that greatly influence their sound profiles. The Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing offers a satisfying and deep sound profile, although the exact details of the blend are unknown. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate provides a clear and resonant sound, making it a great choice for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both materials contribute to a unique and pleasing sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Piano utilizes its proprietary POM blend, which also offers a satisfying and deep sound profile. Conversely, the Silent Bluish White employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. While the Piano's POM blend provides a unique sound experience, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Bluish White offers a distinct and resonant typing sound.
The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the TTC Silent Bluish White play significant roles in the overall sound and feel of the switches. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, with the Piano's POM blend offering a uniquely satisfying experience, while the Silent Bluish White's nylon bottom housing elicits a deep and full typing sound. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. The Piano's POM blend top housing provides a satisfying and deep sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Bluish White creates a sharper and crisper sound. Despite these variations, both switches deliver a high-quality and enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Piano switch has an actuation force that is unavailable in terms of grams, while the Silent Bluish White switch has an actuation force of 42 grams. Despite this, both switches have a relatively light actuation force compared to other switches on the market.
In terms of bottom out force, the Piano switch requires a heavier force of 63.5 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a preferred choice for individuals who prioritize a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods without fatigue.
Considering weight is important, as it determines the overall feel and experience of typing on the switch. Those who prefer lighter switches may find the Silent Bluish White switch more suitable, as it allows for extended typing periods, ideal for office or gaming settings. Alternatively, individuals seeking a more robust and satisfying typing experience may lean towards the Piano switch, with its slightly heavier bottom out force.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the Durock Piano linear switch is unavailable, it is likely to offer a comparable result to the TTC Silent Bluish White switch, given its light actuation force. However, the Piano switch's heavier bottom out force provides a heavier and more solid typing experience, whereas the Silent Bluish White switch offers a lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch have contrasting travel distances. The Piano has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer compared to the Silent Bluish White's 3.5 mm. 4.0 mm is the more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White's 3.5 mm offers a shallower travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. The choice between the two depends on personal preference - if you prioritize responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Bluish White is the way to go. However, if you prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press, the longer travel distance of the Durock Piano is the better option. Overall, both switches offer different tactile experiences and it's important to choose based on 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 TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
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 typing experience, characterized by a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. These switches offer a bassy sound profile, with a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch provides a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, giving a precise and comfortable typing experience. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, producing a muted sound that is softer and quieter compared to regular or clacky switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Piano switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The switch has a frictionless and silky feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience. In contrast, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch provides a buttery and mild typing experience. It offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, with a gentle resistance that is approachable to most typists. Additionally, this switch can have a stepped feel, providing a mild tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation. The sound of the Silent Bluish White switch is also subtle and not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
Based on the available information, the Durock Piano linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Piano switch provides a deep and creamy sound signature, while the Silent Bluish White switch offers a softer and quieter muted sound. In terms of feel, the Piano switch offers a frictionless and silky typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White switch provides a buttery and mild typing sensation, with some stepped feedback. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant and comfortable typing experience, with the Silent Bluish White switch focusing on a quiet operation suitable for office or shared living spaces. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preference and the specific requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a smooth and effortless typing experience, along with a deep and creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its proprietary material blend, you will enjoy a gliding push feel and a satisfyingly bassy sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter tactile feel with moderate resistance and a muted sound, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would be more suitable. These switches offer a precise and comfortable typing experience with their medium tactility, while also being designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound characteristics.
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