Durock Piano vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Piano and the Dareu Sky POM stand out for their unique qualities. The Durock Piano is praised for its proprietary material blend, providing a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. Categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Durock Piano offers a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM switch boasts being crafted entirely from POM material, offering a clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and a gentle actuation force. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Silky', the Dareu Sky POM provides premium quality at an accessible price point. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
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 spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Dareu Sky POM switches both aim to provide a unique and satisfying sound profile. The Piano utilizes a proprietary blend of POM for both the top and bottom housings, offering a deep and satisfying sound. On the other hand, the Sky POM switch features a POM top housing that creates a pleasing and unique sound profile with deeper tones. However, the Sky POM switch has a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound.
While both switches focus on delivering a deep sound profile, the specific material compositions of their housing components differ. The Durock Piano uses its proprietary POM blend for both top and bottom housings, while the Dareu Sky POM combines a POM top housing with a nylon bottom housing. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of the Sky POM switch allows for a more muted and rounder sound compared to the sharper and deeper sound produced by the POM blend in the Piano switch. These differences in housing materials contribute to the overall acoustic experience of typing on each switch.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Durock Piano and the Dareu Sky POM switches, both aim to provide a uniquely satisfying sound profile for users. The top housing material of a switch typically impacts the sound when the key is released, while the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and overall feel. While the POM blend in the Piano switch may offer a slightly sharper sound compared to the nylon bottom housing of the Sky POM switch, both switches ultimately deliver a deep and pleasing sound experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Piano has an actuation force of None grams, which means it is unknown, and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Sky POM has an actuation force of 40 grams, indicating it is lighter, and a bottom out force of None grams, which is unknown. If we were to compare them based on weight alone, the Sky POM would be the lighter option due to its lower actuation force. Some users may prefer the lighter feel of the Sky POM for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others might prefer the more substantial typing experience offered by the heavier bottom out force of the Piano. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Piano has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Sky POM. In terms of responsiveness, the Sky POM may have a slight edge due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Piano switch with its longer travel distance may offer a more pronounced tactile feedback and a deeper press feel, which could be preferable for those who enjoy a more hearty typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference, with the shorter travel distance of the Sky POM offering quicker responses and the longer travel distance of the Piano providing a more tactile 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 Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
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 is known for its bassy sound profile, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch offers a low-pitched sound that is more bass-heavy and mellow. Depending on your preference for sound, the Piano may offer a more profound and intense typing experience, while the Sky POM delivers a calmer and softer auditory feedback.
As for feel, the Durock Piano switch is praised for its frictionless and silky typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless keystroke without any sense of resistance. Conversely, the Dareu Sky POM switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation that is smooth and fluid. If you enjoy a typing experience that feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, both switches offer a luxurious feel that enhances the overall smoothness of typing.
In conclusion, while the Durock Piano linear switch may provide a deeper and richer sound profile with a frictionless and silky typing experience, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch offers a more bass-heavy and mellow sound with a buttery, creamy, and silky smooth typing sensation. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer premium quality and an exceptional typing experience at different price points. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on whether you prioritize sound depth or smoothness in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an unknown bottom out force that offers a clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and gentle actuation force, the Dareu Sky POM switch might be more suitable. Additionally, take into account the feel of the switches - whether you prefer a frictionless and silky experience with the Durock Piano, or a buttery and creamy typing sensation with the Dareu Sky POM. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and bottom out force.
Mentioned in this article
