Durock Piano vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Piano and the HMX Vintage Citrus provide strikingly different experiences, both optimized for distinct preferences. The Durock Piano, recognized for its luxurious typing experience, features a proprietary material blend that delivers a soft, gliding push feel combined with a deep, creamy sound signature. Its characteristics of being bassy, frictionless, and silky make it a top choice for typists seeking comfort and a satisfying auditory feedback. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus is engineered with gamers in mind, boasting an impressively low actuation force of just 1mm, ensuring quick, responsive keystrokes for rapid gameplay. This switch is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound profile, contributing to an engaging gaming environment alongside a remarkably smooth push feel. Choosing between the two often comes down to whether you prioritize typing comfort or gaming responsiveness; 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
48g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Piano and HMX Vintage Citrus switches present an interesting contrast that emphasizes both similarity and difference. The Durock Piano switch utilizes a proprietary POM blend for its top and bottom housings, which is known for unique sound properties that enhance the auditory experience. While the exact formulations of this blend are not disclosed, it is acknowledged to provide a satisfying and deep sound profile. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus employs a classic nylon composition for both its top and bottom housings. Recognized for its softer texture, nylon is conducive to absorbing sound, resulting in a rounder and more muted acoustic output. This difference in material may result in a variance in the typing experience and sound characteristics between the two switches.
Despite these differences in housing materials, both switches strive for a similar auditory experience, promoting a deep and rich sound profile. The choice of materials inherently affects how sound is produced when a key is pressed and released. The Durock Piano’s inclusion of a POM blend at both ends of the switch indicates that its sound profile is designed to be deeply layered, potentially matching the fuller sound produced by the nylon in the Vintage Citrus. Although nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, meaning it may lead to a more subdued typing experience, this could allow both switch types to elicit satisfying auditory feedback in their respective rights.
The split characteristics of the housing materials further underlines the role each material plays during key presses. With the Durock Piano's proprietary POM blend, users benefit from a unified sound experience throughout the press and release, while the HMX Vintage Citrus offers distinct sound profiles depending on which part of the switch is being engaged. The bottom housing greatly influences the bottom-out sound and impact, while the top housing affects the sound upon release. Consequently, while the Durock Piano may offer a more cohesive aural experience due to the uniform use of POM, the HMX Vintage Citrus creates a diversified sound experience through its specialized use of nylon. Ultimately, both switches can achieve satisfactory results in providing a deep sound profile, but the mechanism and nuances involved in their performance may vary significantly due to the choice of housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Piano linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, notable differences arise in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Durock Piano lacks a specified actuation force but features a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus has an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, placing it in the medium-light range. This means that the Vintage Citrus requires less force to trigger a keystroke, making it a more suitable choice for those who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the heavier bottom out force of the Durock Piano provides a more substantial tactile experience for users who enjoy a stronger push feel. Overall, those looking for a lighter feel may gravitate toward the Vintage Citrus, while the Durock Piano caters to those who appreciate a heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Piano linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there is a distinct difference. The Durock Piano features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the more traditional experience that many users appreciate for its depth and feedback. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm, catering to those who prioritize quick response times, particularly favored by gamers. While the 3 mm travel distance provides a more responsive feel, some users might find it too abrupt compared to the satisfying depth offered by the 4 mm travel distance of the Piano switch. Thus, if you prefer a more pronounced key press with a hearty depth, the Durock Piano is the better choice, whereas the Vintage Citrus will suit those seeking a snappier response.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 delivers a deep and creamy auditory experience, characterized by a rich, bassy tone that enhances the overall typing experience. This sound profile provides a sense of fullness during each key press, which can be particularly enjoyable for users who appreciate a more nuanced audio feedback from their keyboard. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed with a bright, clacky sound profile. While the specifics of its acoustic characteristics aren’t laid out in detail, this sounds like it could be more suited for fast-paced gaming scenarios where auditory feedback is more sharp and pronounced, encouraging quick response times.
In terms of feel, the Piano switch excels with a frictionless and silky typing experience that allows for a seamless and enjoyable interaction with the keys. The design of the switch minimizes any sense of resistance, resulting in a fluid travel that enhances the typing rhythm. Conversely, while the feel of the Vintage Citrus switch is not explicitly described, its exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm suggests that it would offer a responsive and potentially light experience, especially tailored for rapid gaming inputs.
Ultimately, both the Durock Piano and HMX Vintage Citrus switches cater to distinct preferences within the typing and gaming communities. The Pianos are ideal for users seeking a richer auditory experience paired with smooth feel during regular typing, while the Vintage Citrus pulls ahead in speed and quick response for gaming, albeit with a brighter sound profile. Despite the differences, both switches aim to provide satisfying tactile experiences, so whichever you choose, you can expect quality performance in your keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch can greatly impact your typing or gaming experience, and understanding the strengths of the Durock Piano linear and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches is crucial. If you prioritize a balanced typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom-out force, smooth feel, and rich sound profile, the Durock Piano switches would likely suit you best. Their frictionless and silky characteristics provide a delightful typing sensation, making them ideal for both office work and casual gaming. Conversely, if you are a gamer who values rapid response times and a lightweight feel, the Vintage Citrus switches are the better option. Their low actuation force and quick activation make them perfect for fast-paced gaming scenarios, while their bright and clacky sound profile adds a fun auditory dimension to your gameplay. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your primary use case—opt for the Piano for a more well-rounded typing experience, and choose the Vintage Citrus if you prioritize speed and performance in gaming.
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