Durock Piano vs. Wuque Studio WS Onion
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two notable options that deserve attention are the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Onion. The Durock Pianos stand out for their proprietary material blend, rendering them incredibly pleasant to type on. With a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound, these linear switches embody qualities categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless,' and 'Silky'. On the other hand, the WS Onions boast a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, providing a buttery smooth keystroke that is exceptionally satisfying. These switches offer a crisp, responsive feel and a neutral sound profile, reflecting qualities classified as 'Neutral,' 'Buttery,' and 'Polished'. Both switches offer unique advantages, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can make an informed decision 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
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
WS CL635 Gold Plated Stainless Spring
Housing materials
The Durock Piano and Wuque Studio WS Onion differ in their housing materials, resulting in contrasting sound profiles. The Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housing, offering a satisfying and deep sound. Although the exact details of this blend remain unknown, the POM material contributes to a unique sound experience. In contrast, the WS Onion features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, allowing for clear and resonant sound production. Additionally, the Piano's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, while the WS Onion utilizes a softer nylon material for a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the transparency of the polycarbonate top housing in the WS Onion is advantageous for those planning to use RGB lighting. The translucency of polycarbonate allows for a visually appealing and vibrant lighting effect. In comparison, the Piano's top housing material remains undisclosed, suggesting that it may not provide the same level of transparency.
When comparing the impact on sound and feel, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound when pressing down on the switch. The POM blend material in the Piano's bottom housing contributes to a substantial impact and sound experience during key presses. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. The polycarbonate top housing in the WS Onion is likely to create a distinct and crisp sound upon key release.
Overall, the Durock Piano and Wuque Studio WS Onion offer distinct sound profiles due to their housing materials. While both switches aim to provide a satisfying and deep sound experience, the POM blend material in the Piano's housing results in a unique and undisclosed sound profile. Conversely, the polycarbonate and nylon materials utilized in the WS Onion create sharper, higher-pitched sounds and deeper, fuller sounds, respectively. Additionally, the transparent nature of the polycarbonate top housing in the WS Onion offers an advantage for RGB lighting enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, both switches have an actuation force of unavailable grams. This means that we are unable to directly compare the two in terms of their actuation force. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which classifies them as medium-heavy switches.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer typing sessions, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, others may prefer a switch with a heavier force for a more substantial typing experience. In this case, both the Durock Piano and WS Onion switches offer a similar typing experience as their bottom out forces are equal.
Overall, it is worth noting that although we cannot compare the actuation forces, both the Durock Piano and the WS Onion switches provide a medium-heavy typing experience with a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Therefore, individuals seeking a keyboard for extended typing or gaming sessions can expect similar results from either of these switches.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Piano linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the switch travel 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of travel distance.
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 Onion has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Onion for $5.53.
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 switches are known for their deep and creamy sound signature, offering a pleasant and rich experience during key presses. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switches have a more neutral sound profile, providing a moderate sound that is suitable for various purposes. The Piano switches offer a bassy sound with a lower frequency range, while the WS Onion switches have a more balanced sound that is neither too loud nor too soft. It should be noted that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Piano switches are described as frictionless and silky, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. These switches minimize any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, providing a fluid travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches are described as buttery and polished. They offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The switches have a refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the Durock Piano and Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switches offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Piano switches provide a deep and creamy sound signature with a gliding push feel, while the WS Onion switches offer a more neutral sound profile with a crisp and responsive feel. In terms of feel, the Piano switches are frictionless and silky, while the WS Onion switches are buttery and polished. Depending on personal preference, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience. It is important to consider other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used to achieve the desired sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, both the Durock Piano and Wuque Studio WS Onion are great options. The Durock Piano stands out for its proprietary material blend, offering a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Onion features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, providing a buttery smooth keystroke feel and a crisp, responsive feel.
In terms of sound, the Durock Piano has a bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. Meanwhile, the WS Onion has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes and settings.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Piano is known for its frictionless and silky experience, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. The WS Onion, on the other hand, provides a buttery and polished feel, giving a seamless and uniform typing sensation with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Piano and the Wuque Studio WS Onion will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel. If you prefer a deeper, rich sound and a frictionless, silky feel, the Durock Piano is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound and a buttery, polished feel, the WS Onion is the switch for you. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience overall.
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