Durock Piano vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at the Durock Piano and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, it is clear that both offer unique and appealing features. The Durock Piano stands out for its smooth linear feel and deep sound signature, making typing a truly pleasant experience. On the other hand, the TTC Venus boasts a frictionless glide coupled with a distinctive Q-texture that adds a delightful tactile sensation to each key press. While the Piano is categorized as bassy, frictionless, silky, the Venus offers a plethora of descriptors including buttery, gummy, frictionless, low-pitched, mild, muted, neutral, polished, subdued, thocky. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Piano and TTC Venus both feature POM blend top housings that offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. However, the Venus's POM housing creates a sound profile that is described as relatively more muted compared to the Piano. In contrast, the Piano's proprietary POM blend bottom housing also provides a satisfying and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the Venus utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in bottom housing materials will impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed.
While both switches feature top housings made from POM blend material, the Durock Piano and TTC Venus differ in the composition of their bottom housings. The use of polycarbonate in the Venus's bottom housing results in a clearer and more resonant sound profile, especially noticeable when releasing the key. In contrast, the Durock Piano's bottom housing, also made from a proprietary POM blend, offers a deep and satisfying sound experience when pressing the switch down. The distinct characteristics of the bottom housing materials contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of each switch.
In summary, the Durock Piano and TTC Venus showcase differences in their housing materials, impacting the sound profiles and overall typing experience. While both switches feature POM blend top housings that offer a uniquely satisfying sound, the Venus's POM housing is described as more muted compared to the Piano. The choice of polycarbonate for the Venus's bottom housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the Piano's POM blend bottom housing provides a deep and satisfying sound profile. These differences highlight the importance of housing materials in keyboard switches and how they can influence the overall typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, we find that the Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy, while the Venus has a bottom out force of 52 grams, making it medium-light. The actuation force of the Piano is None grams, whereas the Venus has an actuation force of 45 grams. In terms of weight, the Venus is the lighter option, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Piano offers a heavier push feel for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Both switches provide distinct tactile experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences for typing and gaming.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both of these switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with 4.0mm being more common. Gamers may prefer the Venus switch for its slightly faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more tactile feel may prefer the Durock Piano switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of keypress responsiveness and feel.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a bassy profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch is characterized by its low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound signature, promising a softer and quieter typing experience. Both switches aim to reduce the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, providing a more pleasant auditory experience. Depending on personal preference and the setup of your keyboard, you can expect to achieve similar results in sound quality with both switches.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Piano switch is praised for its frictionless and silky typing experience, offering smooth and effortless key presses with minimal resistance. In contrast, the TTC Venus switch is described as buttery, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation that feels like a fluid glide. Additionally, the Venus switch offers a gummy feel when bottoming out, adding a unique tactile element to the typing experience. Both switches prioritize a smooth and comfortable typing feel, catering to different preferences in terms of tactility and keypress sensation.
Considering the subjective qualities of the Durock Piano linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident that both switches excel in providing a smooth and engaging typing experience. While the Piano switch offers a bassy sound profile and a gliding push feel, the Venus switch impresses with its low-pitched, muted sound signature and buttery typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will boil down to personal preference in sound, feel, and the overall typing experience you seek. It is recommended to try both switches to determine which one aligns better with your preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering between the Durock Piano linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, your choice will ultimately depend on your preferences for typing feel and sound signature. If you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force that offers a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound, then the Durock Piano may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-light bottom out force that provides a seamless, frictionless glide, captivating "Q-texture," and a unique matte sensation, the TTC Venus linear switch might be more suitable for your typing style. It's important to consider how these switches align with your typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are seeking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience depending on your personal preferences.
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