Durock Piano vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are countless options to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics. Two popular linear switches, the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, offer their own distinct advantages that cater to different preferences. The Durock Piano is best known for its proprietary material blend, delivering a typing experience characterized by a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear stands out for its smooth and high-pitched typing experience, with a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing that allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem of the WS Aurora Clear is also lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Both switches offer their own unique qualities that may appeal to different individuals. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
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
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear offer contrasting sound profiles. The Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing provides a deep and satisfying sound, while the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. The POM blend used in the Piano is known for its unique sound profile, although the exact details are unknown. On the other hand, the polycarbonate housing of the WS Aurora Clear is stiffer, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate material of the WS Aurora Clear allows for the use of RGB lighting due to its translucency, providing an aesthetically pleasing option for those who enjoy visual effects.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Durock Piano features its proprietary POM blend, which contributes to its satisfying and deep sound profile. Similarly, the bottom housing of the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear is made of UHWMPE, a newer material known for its bright sound signature. This material creates resonant clacks when typing on switches equipped with such housings. Both the POM blend and UHWMPE bring unique characteristics to their respective switches, enhancing the typing experience with different sound profiles.
Although the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in determining the sound profile, the impact of each material will still be present on the overall sound. Pressing down on a switch will allow the qualities of the bottom housing to shine, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when you let go of a key, the sound will be affected by the characteristics of the top housing. Therefore, even though the materials used in the top and bottom housings may differ between the Durock Piano and the WS Aurora Clear, they both contribute to the overall sound profile of each switch in their own unique ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are both similarities and differences to note. Firstly, it is worth mentioning that the actuation force of the Piano switch is unavailable, whereas the WS Aurora Clear has an actuation force of 53 grams. This implies that the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls under the category of medium-heavy.
Considering weight as a factor, some individuals prefer a lighter switch that allows for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions. In this case, the WS Aurora Clear with its lighter actuation force might be a suitable choice. On the contrary, some individuals prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. For these users, the Durock Piano switch, with its currently undisclosed actuation force, might provide the desired level of resistance.
Overall, while the actuation forces between the switches differ, it is important to note that they both share the same bottom out force. Therefore, those seeking a similar typing experience in terms of key resistance and force required may still achieve comparable results with these two switches, despite the differences in actuation forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Piano linear switch is 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Piano's 4.0 mm travel distance is considered to be a more traditional distance, providing a familiar and comfortable feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's 3.8 mm travel distance offers a slightly shorter and potentially more responsive experience, particularly favored by gamers who value faster response times. If you prioritize a quicker and more immediate feedback, opting for the shorter travel distance of the WS Aurora Clear would be recommended. However, it is important to consider personal preferences as well, as some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. In this case, selecting the Durock Piano with its longer travel distance would provide a deeper and potentially more satisfying tactile experience.
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 Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 per 10 switches.
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
The Durock Piano linear switch is characterized by a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. This switch offers a pleasant and smooth typing experience, with a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Piano switch is also described as frictionless and silky, providing an extremely smooth and effortless keystroke experience with minimal resistance or friction. Overall, the Durock Piano switch excels in delivering a buttery and polished typing feel.
On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is known for providing a smooth and high-pitched typing experience. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, these switches allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem of the WS Aurora Clear is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. The sound of this switch is described as high-pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. The WS Aurora Clear switch offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience, with a seamless, effortless, and uniform sensation.
Comparing the two switches, the Durock Piano and WS Aurora Clear offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Piano switch provides a deep and creamy sound profile with a gliding push feel, while the WS Aurora Clear offers a high-pitched sound and a smooth typing experience. Both switches excel in delivering a buttery and polished typing feel, ensuring minimal friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the information provided, individuals looking for a deeper and richer sound profile with a gliding push feel may prefer the Durock Piano linear switch. On the other hand, those seeking a sharper and crisper sound with a smooth typing experience may opt for the WS Aurora Clear. However, keep in mind that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps. Overall, both switches offer satisfying and enjoyable typing experiences, allowing users to achieve similar results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a pleasant and smooth typing experience, both the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch are excellent choices. The Piano switches are known for their gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. They offer a frictionless and silky typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switches provide a smooth and buttery keystroke experience. Their transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. These switches are lightly lubed for minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke.
In terms of sound, the Piano switches have a more bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switches produce a high-pitched and crisp sound, perfect for those who prefer a sharper sound profile.
Considering the bottom out force, both switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams.
Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch depends on your preference for sound and feel. If you prefer a deep and rich sound profile, along with a frictionless and silky typing experience, the Piano switches might be the better choice for you. However, if you enjoy a high-pitched sound and a smooth and buttery keystroke experience, the WS Aurora Clear switches could be the perfect fit. Consider your personal preferences and desired typing experience when making your decision.
In closing, both switches offer their own unique characteristics and advantages, allowing you to customize your mechanical keyboard to best suit your preferences.
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