Durock Piano vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Piano and Gateron Silent Ink Black are two popular options that offer distinct advantages. The Durock Piano switch is highly regarded for its proprietary material blend, providing a pleasant and smooth linear typing experience. With a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, this switch is favored by those seeking a bassy and frictionless typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch excels in offering a quieter typing experience, making it ideal for environments where minimal audio feedback is necessary. With a cushion-like bottom-out feel, this switch provides a polished and muted typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Mystery material
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in their proprietary blends and resulting sound profiles. The Piano features a POM blend top housing, which offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. In contrast, the INK blend top housing of the Silent Ink Black provides a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. While both offer satisfying sound profiles, the Piano's top housing produces a deeper tone compared to the Silent Ink Black's sharper tone.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Piano and the Silent Ink Black again have different materials and resulting sound profiles. The POM blend bottom housing of the Piano contributes to its uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Similarly, the INK blend bottom housing of the Silent Ink Black adds a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. However, it's important to note that the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down. Therefore, the housing material of the Piano may provide a more pronounced impact on the overall feel and sound when bottoming out compared to the Silent Ink Black.
As for the impact of the top and bottom housings on sound, the Piano and the Silent Ink Black switches showcase their unique characteristics. When you release a key, the top housing material comes into play, influencing the sound produced. The POM blend top housing of the Piano likely enhances the deep and satisfying sound when a key is released. On the other hand, the INK blend top housing of the Silent Ink Black contributes to its clacky and higher-pitched sound upon key release. Although they have different sound qualities, both switches offer satisfying results when it comes to the sound produced after key release.
In summary, the housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches vary in their proprietary blends and resulting sound profiles. The Piano's POM blend top and bottom housings provide a uniquely satisfying and deep sound, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend top and bottom housings contribute to a relatively high-pitched, yet not overly sharp, and clacky sound. While they offer distinct sounds, both switches deliver pleasing results when releasing keys. Furthermore, the bottom housing of each switch has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, with the Piano likely offering a more pronounced effect due to its POM blend material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The Piano switch has an actuation force of unavailable grams, making it difficult to determine its specific lightness or heaviness in this regard. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams, indicating a relatively lighter touch required to trigger a keystroke.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Piano switch boasts a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which can be considered as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. Thus, the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly firmer press to fully engage the switch.
Considering weight, there are individuals who prefer a lighter actuation force, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. Therefore, those who prioritize a lighter touch and prolonged usage may prefer the Durock Piano switch or the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch.
However, there are users who seek a more substantial typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel. For them, the heavier actuation force of the Silent Ink Black, though only slightly heavier than the Durock Piano, may provide a more satisfying tactile feedback.
In summary, while the Durock Piano's actuation force remains unknown, the Gateron Silent Ink Black possesses a lighter actuation force, making it well-suited for those desiring a lighter touch during typing or gaming. When it comes to the bottom out force, the Durock Piano is slightly lighter at 63.5 grams compared to the 70 grams of the Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Piano and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, both switches will travel the same distance from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance when using either of these switches.
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 Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound signature. These switches have a bassy sound profile, which means they produce a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is designed to be muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. This switch minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it perfect for environments that require quieter typing. Both switches provide a pleasant typing experience in terms of sound, although the Piano offers a deeper and richer sound while the Silent Ink Black is designed to be quieter.
When it comes to feel, both the Durock Piano and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches offer a silky smooth typing experience. These switches are described as frictionless and silky, meaning they provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The Piano switch also offers a gliding push feel, further enhancing the smoothness of typing. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This can be attributed to the materials used or factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and even smoother key travel. Overall, both switches provide a comfortable and smooth typing experience.
Based on the available information, the Durock Piano linear switch excels in providing a deep and creamy sound signature, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy a bassy sound. The gliding push feel of the Piano switch also adds to the overall pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch prioritizes quiet operation and offers a cushiony, pillow-like bottom-out feel. It is designed for environments that require minimal audio feedback. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience with minimal resistance or friction, making them ideal for users who prioritize comfort and effortless typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the user's preference for sound, typing experience, and the specific requirements of their environment. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, with proper customization, one can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound, the Durock Piano linear switch is an excellent choice for you. With its proprietary material blend, it offers a frictionless and silky typing experience, providing an effortless and smooth key travel. Additionally, the Piano switch is known for its bassy sound, which adds a deeper and richer sound profile to your typing.
On the other hand, if you need a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the way to go. This switch offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, making it suitable for environments that require reduced noise. Like the Piano, the Silent Ink Black switch also provides a silky and polished typing experience, ensuring smooth and refined key travel with minimal resistance.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Piano and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches depends on your priorities. If you value a smoother typing experience and a deeper sound profile, the Piano switch is the ideal option. However, if a quieter typing experience is essential to you, the Silent Ink Black switch is the better choice. Consider your preferences and needs to make an informed decision on which switch will enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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