Durock Piano vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Piano and Dareu Violet Gold Pro are two popular options worth considering. The Durock Piano is a linear switch that is praised for its proprietary material blend, resulting in a smooth and pleasant typing experience with a deep, creamy sound signature. It is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', making it a great choice for those who enjoy a smooth and quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch that offers a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature. Positioned as an ideal "Goldilocks" tactile option, it provides a balanced typing experience for those who prefer a bit of feedback while typing. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Piano and Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique qualities in their housing materials. The Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both the top and bottom housing, which provides a satisfying and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffness, while the nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. In terms of sound profile, the Piano may excel in providing a more satisfying and resonant sound, while the Violet Gold Pro might offer a sharper and crisper tone.
In terms of aesthetics, the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing is especially useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency, giving users the option to customize their keyboard with vibrant lighting effects. In contrast, the Durock Piano's POM blend top housing does not offer the same visual flair but may excel in providing a more unique sound profile. Additionally, the use of different materials for the top and bottom housing in both keyboards can impact the overall sound experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, both the Durock Piano and Dareu Violet Gold Pro offer distinct sound profiles and qualities based on their housing materials. While the POM blend in the Piano may provide a satisfying and deep sound, the use of polycarbonate and nylon in the Violet Gold Pro offers a sharper, crisper sound and a deeper, fuller sound, respectively. Ultimately, the choice between the two keyboards will depend on personal preferences for sound profiles, aesthetics, and the overall typing experience desired by the user. Similar results in sound quality can be achieved with either keyboard, but the specific characteristics of each housing material will impact the overall typing experience.
Weight
Comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is clear that they have different characteristics. The Piano switch has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Violet Gold Pro switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Piano switch will provide a more substantial typing experience, with a heavier feel when pressing down the keys, while the Violet Gold Pro switch will offer a lighter touch for quicker keystrokes. Both switches have a force of None grams for either actuation or bottom out, resulting in a similar typing experience in terms of required force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, but the Piano offers a slightly longer press down distance compared to the Violet Gold Pro. Gamers may lean towards the Violet Gold Pro for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial key press may prefer the Piano. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired feel for typing or gaming.
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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 is known for its deep and creamy bassy sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience during key presses. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for a wide range of users and scenarios. While both switches have distinct sound characteristics, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Piano linear switch is praised for its frictionless and silky typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless keystroke that minimizes any sense of resistance. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch is described as having a stepped feel, providing a more subtle tactile feedback compared to other tactile switches. Whether you prefer a smooth and seamless typing experience or a more nuanced tactile response, these descriptions can help guide you in selecting the right switch for your needs.
Taking into consideration the subjective qualities of sound and feel, it is evident that the Durock Piano linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Piano excels in providing a deep and rich sound with a frictionless and silky feel, creating a luxurious typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a balanced sound profile with a stepped tactile feel, appealing to those who prefer a more subtle tactile feedback. Ultimately, understanding your own preferences and considering factors such as keyboard setup and keycap choice will help you determine which switch is the best fit for your typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a smooth and frictionless feel with a deep, creamy sound, the Piano switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound profile, the Violet Gold Pro switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style to ensure a satisfying typing experience. Consider trying out both switches to determine which one suits your needs best.
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