Durock Piano vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When comparing the Durock Piano and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences. The Durock Piano is praised for its proprietary material blend, providing a smooth and creamy typing experience with a deep sound signature. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, offering typists a remarkably smooth and creamy feel reminiscent of its namesake dessert. While the Piano is described as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Vanilla Ice Cream is characterized as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', and 'Resonant'. Both switches have their unique qualities that make them appealing choices for different users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Piano Linear

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing and bottom housing both offer a satisfying and deep sound profile, creating a well-rounded auditory experience. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, while the POK bottom housing offers smoothness and durability. These differences in sound profiles can cater to different preferences, with the Piano focusing on depth and satisfaction, and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a more pronounced and clacky sound.

Despite the differences in sound profiles, both the Durock Piano and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream prioritize durability in their housing materials. The POK material used in the bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch boasts exceptional strength and wear resistance, far surpassing traditional materials like POM. This ensures a long-lasting switch that can withstand heavy use without degrading in performance. On the other hand, the exact details of the POM blend used in the Piano's bottom housing remain a mystery, but its ability to provide a uniquely satisfying sound profile suggests a level of durability that can hold up over time.

When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it is important to note how the qualities of each material are distributed between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch, while the top housing impacts the sound when the key is released. With the Durock Piano and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizing different materials for their top and bottom housings, users can expect a balance of sound characteristics that cater to both the press and release of a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for sound profile, feel, and durability.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that there are notable differences between the two. The Durock Piano has an actuation force of None grams, making it lighter in terms of initial keypress compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Durock Piano requires a higher force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy, whereas the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream only needs 48 grams, making it a lighter option. These variances in force requirements cater to different preferences - the Durock Piano provides a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offers a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends 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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm in the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the traditional 4 mm travel distance of the Durock Piano switch may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper and more satisfying key press. Both switches offer a smooth linear action, so whether you choose the shorter or longer travel distance, you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and performance. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press sensation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy profile, characterized by a bassy tone that provides a pleasant auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch produces a high-pitched and clacky sound that stands out with its unique resonance and sharpness. While the Piano delivers a more mellow and rich sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a crisper and brighter tone. Both switches provide distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Piano offering a more soothing typing experience with its deeper notes, and the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a sharper and more vibrant sound.

In terms of feel, the Durock Piano linear switch is praised for its frictionless and silky typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless feel when pressing the keys. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a seamless and uniform keystroke sensation that resembles gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. Both switches prioritize smoothness in typing, with the Piano focusing on minimal resistance and fluid travel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream emphasizes a luxurious and effortless typing experience.

Overall, the Durock Piano and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Piano excels in providing a deep and rich sound profile, along with a frictionless and silky typing experience, perfect for those who enjoy a soothing and seamless typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out with its high-pitched and clacky sound signature, combined with a buttery and creamy feel that offers a luxurious and effortless typing sensation. Whether you prefer the bassy depth of the Piano or the marbly resonance of the Vanilla Ice Cream, both switches guarantee a satisfying typing experience that will elevate your mechanical keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth, buttery typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound signature, and typing feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so consider what aspects are most important to you when making your decision.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more