Durock Piano vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Piano and the Aflion Windy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, both being linear switches, there are some key differences to consider. The Durock Piano stands out for its proprietary material blend that provides a smooth and pleasant typing experience, with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. Categorized as bassy, frictionless, silky, the Durock Piano offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow is known for its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce thanks to its extended spring. These switches have a 55g bottom-out force, making them comfortably medium-light to type on. Categorized as low-pitched, mild, neutral, the Aflion Windy Shadow offers a different yet equally enjoyable typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Aflion Windy Shadow, it is evident that both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials. The Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deep and satisfying sound profile. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow features a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and crisper sound, while its nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. The difference in sound profiles between the two switches can be attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate versus the softness of nylon.
While the POM blend top housing of the Piano and the polycarbonate top housing of the Windy Shadow may have different qualities, they both offer benefits in terms of sound profile. The POM blend top housing of the Piano provides a uniquely satisfying sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Windy Shadow creates a sharper and higher-pitched profile. Additionally, both switches feature a proprietary blend for their bottom housing materials. The Piano's POM blend offers a deep sound profile, while the Windy Shadow's nylon bottom housing elicits a fuller and rounder sound.
Overall, the choice of housing material plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile of a switch. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the Windy Shadow creates a more resonant and clear sound, while the softness of nylon in the same switch results in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the POM blend utilized in the Piano provides a satisfying and deep sound profile. Despite their differences, both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials that cater to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is evident that the Piano has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the Windy Shadow's 55 grams. The actuation force for both switches is not specified, but based on the bottom out force, it is likely that the Piano requires more force to trigger a keystroke. This means that the Piano switch would provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel, while the Windy Shadow would offer a lighter typing experience, suitable for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for typing force.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Windy Shadow has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Piano switch. The Piano switch, with its 4 mm distance, offers a more traditional feel, while the Windy Shadow provides a slightly shallower travel distance of 3.5 mm. Gamers may prefer the Windy Shadow for its faster response time due to the shorter distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Piano switch. Both switches offer a different experience, and the choice between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 is known for its bassy sound profile, providing a deep and rich tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience depending on personal preference and setup.
In terms of feel, the Durock Piano switch is praised for its frictionless and silky typing experience, offering an extremely smooth and effortless key press with fluid travel. Conversely, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. These qualities make both switches approachable and comfortable for most users, with the Piano switch emphasizing smoothness and the Windy Shadow switch falling in a safe middle-ground zone.
Overall, the Durock Piano linear switch and Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch each offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Piano switch provides a deep and creamy sound with a gliding push feel, while the Windy Shadow switch offers a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. Both switches are comfortable to type on, with the Piano emphasizing smoothness and the Windy Shadow offering a mild typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, you should consider the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a smooth, gliding push feel with a deep, creamy sound, the Durock Piano switches may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and value a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from an extended spring, the Aflion Windy Shadow switches may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you are seeking.
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