Durock Piano vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, there are a variety of options available that cater to different typing preferences. Two popular choices in the linear switch category are the Durock Piano and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Durock Piano is best known for its proprietary material blend, which results in one of the most pleasant typing experiences. With a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, this switch is categorized by its bassy, frictionless, and silky attributes. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers offer a unique typing experience with their shorter activation and long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel. These switches also emit a creamy sound signature, but are additionally described as neutral, mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished. Both switches have their own distinct qualities that make them desirable, 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Durock Piano and Jwick Splash Brothers switches offer distinct differences in sound profiles and characteristics. The Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a uniquely satisfying and deep sound. This POM blend creates a clear and resonant sound profile due to its stiffness, providing a sharp and crisp tone. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers features a polycarbonate top housing that produces a higher-pitched sound. The translucency of polycarbonate is especially advantageous for users who plan to incorporate RGB lighting in their setup.
In terms of bottom housing, the Piano maintains its proprietary POM blend while the Splash Brothers utilizes nylon. The use of nylon in the Splash Brothers switch contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Piano's bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and generates a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the POM blend in the Piano's bottom housing adds to the overall satisfaction and depth of the sound, but does not offer the same absorbing qualities as nylon.
When considering the impact on the overall sound, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. Both the Piano and Splash Brothers provide fascinating sound profiles, but their choice of housing materials gives each switch its unique characteristics. However, if you desire similar results in terms of satisfying and deep sound profiles, the proprietary POM blend in both the top and bottom housing of the Piano can offer a comparable experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is important to consider both weight and typing experience. The Piano switch has an unavailable actuation force and a relatively heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch has an unavailable actuation force and a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams, offering a lighter and more effortless keystroke.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Splash Brothers switch may be the preferred choice. This lighter weight allows for longer typing sessions, which is beneficial for work or extended gaming periods. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial push and a stronger tactile feel, the Piano switch with its heavier bottom out force would be more suitable. This provides a more pronounced typing experience that some find more satisfying.
Overall, while the actuation force of both switches is unavailable, it is clear that the Durock Piano linear switch offers a heavier bottom out force than the Jwick Splash Brothers switch. Consequently, individuals seeking a lighter switch should opt for the Splash Brothers, while those desiring a heavier and more substantial typing experience may find the Piano switch more suitable.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have different travel distances. The Piano has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Splash Brothers has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5mm. The Piano's 4.0mm travel distance is considered to be the most traditional, providing a balanced and familiar feel when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers' 3.5mm travel distance is slightly shallower, making it a popular choice among gamers who value faster response times. The shorter travel distance allows for quicker key presses, which can be advantageous in competitive gaming. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. For those who prefer a more substantial feel, the Durock Piano with its longer travel distance may be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user.
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 Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 per 10 switches.
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 rich bassy sound profile. This means that the sound produced during key presses has a lower frequency range, similar to the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch has a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. It does not have any specific characteristics that make it stand out, making it a safe choice for both beginners and advanced users.
In terms of feel, the Durock Piano switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience. These qualities contribute to an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The switch offers a fluid travel, adding to the overall smoothness of the typing feel. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch offers a mild and snappy typing experience. It falls within a safe middle-ground zone, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The snappy characteristic makes the typing experience feel more alive and responsive.
Taking into consideration the available information, the Durock Piano linear switch stands out for its deep, creamy sound signature and frictionless, silky typing feel. It offers a pleasant linear switch experience due to its proprietary material blend. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is known for its shorter activation and long pole stem, which contribute to a great typing feel. It also offers a creamy sound signature. While the Piano switch leans towards a bassy sound and a frictionless feel, the Splash Brothers switch has a more neutral sound profile and a mild, snappy typing experience.
If you're looking for a similar experience to the Durock Piano linear switch but with different sound and feel characteristics, you can expect to get a creamy sound signature with the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch. The typing feel might be slightly different due to its mild and snappy qualities. However, both switches are known for their smoothness, making them enjoyable to type on. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and the specific typing experience desired.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a pleasant typing experience, the Durock Piano switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. Additionally, the Piano switch is described as bassy, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. Furthermore, the Piano switch is known for its frictionless and silky feel, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a unique typing feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch would be the ideal option. These "speed" switches have a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel. The Splash Brothers switch also has a creamy sound signature. Moreover, it is described as neutral, making it suitable for various purposes and user levels.
Ultimately, whether you choose the Durock Piano switch or the Jwick Splash Brothers switch will depend on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as the desired bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to make an informed decision. Both switches offer their own unique qualities and are sure to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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