Durock Piano vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct experiences for the user. The Durock Piano is best known for its proprietary material blend, which results in a pleasant linear switch to type on. With a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, the Piano creates a bassy and frictionless typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches are captivating in their own right. With a remarkable tactile bump and a satisfying resistance of 70g, each keystroke becomes an engaging and immersive journey. The WS Heavy Tactile switches also provide a familiar and captivating sound profile, thanks to Wuque Studios' nylon housings that contribute to a resonant and "thocky" resonance. With adjectives like bouncy, clacky, high-pitched, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, the WS Heavy Tactile switches certainly offer a unique typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
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-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile both have unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Piano features a proprietary POM blend for its top and bottom housing, while the WS Heavy Tactile utilizes nylon for both. Although the exact details of the POM blend are unknown, it is said to offer a satisfying and deep sound profile. Similarly, nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. Therefore, both switches are likely to provide a rich and resonant typing experience.
However, there are slight differences in how the housing materials affect the switches. The POM blend top housing of the Piano is expected to create a uniquely satisfying sound when the key is released, making it ideal for those who appreciate a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the WS Heavy Tactile absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when the key is released. Therefore, individuals seeking a smoother and more muffled release sound might prefer the WS Heavy Tactile.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the POM blend of the Piano and the nylon of the WS Heavy Tactile both contribute to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. However, as the bottom housing has a more significant impact on this aspect, the specific qualities of the POM blend and nylon will play a crucial role. Again, the unique POM blend of the Piano promises a deep and satisfying sound profile when keys are bottomed out, potentially appealing to enthusiasts who enjoy a robust and resonant typing experience. Conversely, the softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a slightly duller but still full sound when keys are bottomed out with the WS Heavy Tactile.
Overall, while both the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile offer satisfying deep sound profiles, they achieve this through slightly different means. The proprietary POM blend of the Piano and the nylon material used for both the top and bottom housing of the WS Heavy Tactile contribute to their respective unique auditory experiences. Whether one prefers the satisfying release sound of the Piano or the smoother release and slightly muffled bottom-out sound of the WS Heavy Tactile would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, it is worth noting that the actuation force for both switches is unavailable in the given information. However, in terms of the bottom out force, the Durock Piano switch has a heavier force of 63.5 grams, which falls under the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch has a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams, categorizing it as a light switch.
Considerations of weight come into play when choosing between these switches. Some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force as it allows them to type for extended periods of time, making it ideal for work or lengthy gaming sessions. However, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, where a stronger push feel is preferred, then opting for switches with heavier forces is recommended.
Unfortunately, since the actuation force is not provided for either switch, it is challenging to directly compare them in this aspect. Nonetheless, it is possible to achieve similar results by considering the bottom out forces. For a lighter typing experience, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch with its 45-gram bottom out force would be a suitable choice. Conversely, for those who prefer a heavier and more substantial typing feel, the Durock Piano switch with its 63.5-gram bottom out force would be a better option.
Travel distance
The Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch have contrasting travel distances. The Piano has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional length, while the WS Heavy Tactile has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This makes the Piano switch slightly longer in terms of travel distance. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the WS Heavy Tactile switch, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial and deeper feel when pressing down on a key may opt for the longer travel distance of the Piano switch. Both options have their advantages depending on personal preferences.
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 Heavy Tactile comes in at $3.50 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 well-known for its pleasant typing experience. When using these switches, users can expect a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. The sound profile can be characterized as bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. This creates a satisfying auditory feedback that enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches provide a remarkable tactile experience. With a pronounced tactile bump and a tactile force of 70g, each keystroke offers a satisfying resistance, making typing an engaging and immersive journey. Additionally, the WS Heavy Tactile switches have a sound profile that can be described as clacky, high-pitched, and resonant. The nylon housings used in these switches contribute to a "thocky" resonance, producing a sharp and crisp sound with each keypress.
Considering all the available information, the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Durock Piano provides a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep and bassy sound profile. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile delivers a pronounced tactile feedback, moderate actuation force, and a clacky, high-pitched sound profile. Both switches offer an immersive typing sensation, but cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. If you enjoy a smoother, frictionless typing experience with a bassy sound, the Durock Piano is a great choice. However, if you prefer a tactile switch with a pronounced bump and a clacky, high-pitched sound, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch would be a better fit. Regardless of your choice, both switches provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, it all comes down to your personal preferences and typing experience. If you are looking for a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound, the Durock Piano is an excellent choice. With its proprietary material blend, it offers a gliding push feel and a bassy sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a more engaging and immersive typing journey with a pronounced tactile bump and a captivating sound, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch is a remarkable option. Its 70g tactile force provides satisfying resistance, while the nylon housing contributes to a thocky resonance. Ultimately, consider whether you prioritize a frictionless and silky feel or an accented and invigorating sensation, as well as whether you prefer a bassy or clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile. By taking these factors into account, you can make an informed decision and choose the switch that best suits your needs and preferences.