Durock Piano vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Piano and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Durock Piano is highly regarded for its proprietary material blend, providing a delightful linear typing experience. With a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, the Piano switch offers a bassy and frictionless typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch is perfect for those who desire both a tactile feedback and a silenced typing experience, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. This switch offers a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback, allowing for a polished and accented typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
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
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Durock Piano and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) differ in terms of their impact on the sound profile of the switches. The Piano features a proprietary POM blend top and bottom housing, which offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) utilizes a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This means that the Piano switch would provide a more consistent sound experience throughout the keystroke, while the Silent T1 switch would offer a contrasting sound profile with more emphasis on the top-out and bottom-out sounds.
In terms of aesthetics, the difference in housing materials between the two switches is evident. The Piano's POM blend top housing is not translucent, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent T1 allows for the transmission of RGB lighting. Therefore, if you prioritize the use of RGB lighting in your keyboard, the Silent T1 would be a more suitable choice. However, if you appreciate a more opaque and solid appearance for your switches, the Piano would be a better option.
When it comes to the tactile experience of typing on these switches, the housing materials play a significant role. The POM blend top and bottom housing of the Piano would result in a consistent and satisfying feel throughout the keystroke. Conversely, the Silent T1's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing would provide a different tactile experience. The bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel would be more pronounced, while the top housing would have a stronger influence on the sound when releasing a key. Consequently, those seeking a more nuanced and varied typing experience might prefer the Silent T1 switch.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) greatly contribute to their distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. While the Piano's proprietary POM blend offers a satisfying and deep sound profile, the Silent T1's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, complemented by the nylon bottom housing's deep and full tone. Aesthetically, the Silent T1's translucent polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting, while the Piano's solid POM blend presents a more opaque appearance. Moreover, the housing materials dictate the tactile feedback, with the Piano providing a consistent feel and the Silent T1 offering a more differentiated keystroke experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, appearance, and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, it is worth noting that the actuation force for both switches is unavailable. However, the bottom out force of the Piano is 63.5 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy, while the bottom out force of the Silent T1 is slightly higher at 67 grams, also classified as medium-heavy.
For those who prefer a lighter feel, both switches may provide a similar experience since the actuation force is unknown. This can be ideal for individuals who type for longer periods or engage in extended gaming sessions, as the lighter weight allows for more comfortable usage. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Silent T1 may be more suitable.
Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference. Whether one values a lighter keystroke for prolonged use or desires a heavier and more pronounced typing experience, the actuation force and bottom out force of the respective switches should be taken into consideration.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Piano linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel a consistent travel distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer the same results and provide a satisfying 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 Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
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 known for its deep, creamy sound signature, offering a pleasant audio experience during key presses. The sound profile of the Piano switch is characterized by its bassy nature, with a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is designed to produce a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. These muted switches are ideal for noise-sensitive environments, as they minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Piano switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience. This switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless keystroke, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The frictionless nature of the Piano switch enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel. Similarly, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch has its own unique qualities in terms of feel. It is described as a stepped switch, meaning it has two stages in its tactility. This switch provides a mild tactile feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. Additionally, the Silent T1 switch can be considered accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The polished finish of the Silent T1 switch ensures a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Durock Piano linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Piano switch provides a deep, creamy sound signature and a frictionless, silky typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 switch offers a muted sound profile, ideal for noise-sensitive environments, and a stepped tactile feel with an accented tactility. Both switches provide pleasant typing experiences with their respective qualities. However, it's important to note that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a pleasant linear switch with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano is the ideal choice for you. It offers a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and is best known for its proprietary material blend. On the other hand, if you want both a tactile and silenced switch, especially for noise-sensitive environments, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) is the perfect option. It provides a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback, with a slightly higher bottom-out force of 67 grams. Additionally, the Piano switch is characterized by a bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. In contrast, the Silent T1 is muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. In terms of feel, the Piano switch is frictionless and silky, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 has a stepped, accented, and polished feel, offering mild tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy, while also providing a sleek and refined typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize the linear typing experience and sound of the Piano or the tactile and silenced features of the Silent T1.
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