Durock Piano vs. Gazzew U4

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Piano and the Gazzew U4 offer unique and enticing features for keyboard enthusiasts. The Durock Piano is widely praised for its proprietary material blend, which provides a delightful typing experience. With a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, these linear switches offer a truly pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 switches stand out for their sharp and exhilarating tactile bump. Typing on these switches provides an unexpectedly plush and felt-like bottom-out sensation. Furthermore, the U4 switches have a whisper-quiet sound profile, adding a touch of subtlety to their style. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision for your typing needs.

By the numbers

Durock Piano Linear

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Durock Piano and the Gazzew U4 both feature proprietary blend top and bottom housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles. Although the exact details of the blends are undisclosed, both switches boast satisfying and deep sound profiles. The Piano's POM blend top housing and the U4's Gazzew blend top housing share a common characteristic in delivering a rich and deep sound due to their softness. However, the Piano's blend is specifically described as offering a uniquely satisfying sound profile, while the U4's blend is sometimes referred to as "boba plastic."

Similarly, both the Piano and the U4 have proprietary blend bottom housings that add to their respective switches' sound profiles. The impact of the bottom housing is more prominent when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. The POM blend bottom housing of the Piano and the Gazzew blend bottom housing of the U4 both contribute to a rich and deep sound profile. Again, the exact details of their blends are unknown, but the softness of the Gazzew blend is mentioned as a contributing factor to its sound profile, resembling the description of the Piano's blend.

In summary, while the exact details of the proprietary blend housing materials for the Durock Piano and the Gazzew U4 switches are undisclosed, they share similarities in delivering satisfying and deep sound profiles. Both switches' top and bottom housings contribute to their unique sound characteristics, with the bottom housing having a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key. The U4's Gazzew blend is sometimes referred to as "boba plastic," which may indicate a distinct feel compared to the Piano's blend. Nonetheless, both switches offer impressive sound profiles due to their carefully selected housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, there are a few noteworthy differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Durock Piano's specific force is unknown, while the Gazzew U4 requires 43 grams to trigger a keystroke. Thus, the U4 has a lighter actuation force compared to the Piano. On the other hand, when it comes to bottom out force, the Durock Piano has a measurement of 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy, whereas the Gazzew U4 requires 62 grams, making it slightly lighter.

The weight of the switches is a crucial factor to consider when choosing between the two. For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Gazzew U4 with its lower actuation force could be an ideal choice. This lighter feel allows for more extended typing sessions, making it suitable for work or long gaming periods. However, for individuals who desire a stronger push and a more substantial typing experience, the Durock Piano, with its higher bottom out force, would cater to their preferences.

While the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, it is important to note that both fall into the medium range. Therefore, if someone is seeking similar results in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke and bottom out, they can expect a comparable typing experience from both the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, it is clear that the Piano has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the U4 has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Piano falls within the more traditional range, offering a balance between depth and responsiveness. On the other hand, the U4's 3.6 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, making it a popular choice among gamers who desire faster response times. However, it is important to note that while the shorter travel distance may provide increased responsiveness, it may also feel abrupt to some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences, with the Piano offering a longer and more traditional travel distance, while the U4 provides a slightly shorter and more responsive feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound signature. With their proprietary material blend, these switches create a pleasant and bassy sound profile, resembling the richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch produces a muted and low-pitched sound. This switch is specifically designed to be whisper quiet, minimizing the noise often found in mechanical keyboards. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, but the Piano switch provides a deeper and richer sound, while the U4 switch focuses on producing a quieter tone.

In terms of feel, the Durock Piano linear switch is known for its frictionless and silky typing experience. The switch glides effortlessly, providing a fluid and smooth travel. This frictionless feel minimizes any resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in a comfortable typing experience. In contrast, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch is described as offering a sharp and intense tactile bump. Each keypress delivers a distinct and crisp feedback, giving typists a satisfying tactile sensation. While the Piano switch prioritizes a frictionless and silky feel, the U4 switch emphasizes a sharp and pronounced tactile experience.

Overall, the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch offer contrasting subjective qualities. The Piano switch delivers a deep and creamy sound signature, along with a frictionless and silky typing feel. On the other hand, the U4 switch produces a muted and low-pitched sound while providing a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump. Depending on personal preferences, typists can choose between a switch that focuses on sound richness and smooth feel, or a switch that prioritizes a quieter sound and intense tactile feedback. If one desires similar results in terms of sound or feel, it is recommended to consider factors such as choice of keyboard and keycaps, as these can also influence the overall experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are someone who values a smooth and effortless typing experience, along with a deep, creamy sound signature, then the Durock Piano linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its frictionless and silky feel, you can expect a gliding push feel when typing, minimizing any sense of resistance. Additionally, the bassy sound profile of the Piano switch adds a richness and depth to your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, along with a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation, then the Gazzew U4 tactile switch would be the way to go. The U4 switch offers a high feedback intensity with its strong and crisp tactile bump, making each keypress distinct. Furthermore, the U4 switch has a muted and low-pitched sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Piano and Gazzew U4 switches depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as the specific feel and sound you desire in a mechanical keyboard switch. We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision and find the perfect switch for your typing needs.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$6.50 per 10

Learn more