SP-Star Ayara vs. Durock Black Lotus
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Durock Black Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that come to mind are the SP-Star Ayara and the Durock Black Lotus. The Ayara switch is known for its medium heftiness, making it ideal for those who prefer a more robust typing experience. Typing on these switches offers a soft bottom-out feel and a pleasantly clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Black Lotus switch stands out for its silky smooth feel and exceptional precision. It boasts reduced housing and stem wobble, ensuring maximum typing pleasure. With an actuation weight of 55g, it strikes a balance between substantial and comfortable. Additionally, its unique light column provides in-switch lighting that can be easily removed if desired.
While these generalities give a good overview of the two switches, diving deeper into their specific features and characteristics will help you make the best decision for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Durock Black Lotus switches have both similarities and differences. Starting with the top housing, the Ayara features a nylon top housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which gives the switch a unique and premium feel. Although both materials contribute to the overall sound profile, the Ayara's nylon housing may result in a slightly duller and rounder sound compared to the Black Lotus.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Ayara and the Black Lotus adopt a nylon housing material. This classic switch housing material once again elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its ability to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. Therefore, both switches are likely to provide a similar sound experience when pressed down.
It is worth noting that if the top and bottom housing materials differ in a given switch, the qualities associated with each material will affect different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the sound and feel when bottoming out, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, it is crucial to consider both the top and bottom housings to achieve the desired sound and feel when choosing between the Ayara and the Black Lotus switches.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Ayara switch has an actuation force that is unavailable in grams, while the Black Lotus requires 55 grams of force for actuation. In terms of bottom out force, the Ayara switch requires 62 grams, which can be considered medium, whereas the Black Lotus is slightly heavier at 63.5 grams, classified as medium-heavy.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Ayara switch may be more suitable as its actuation force is unknown, suggesting a potentially lighter touch is required. This lighter weight can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, reducing the strain on fingers and allowing for longer periods of comfortable use. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial and pronounced typing feel might opt for the Black Lotus switch with its slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams. This provides a stronger push while typing, resulting in a more impactful and tactile typing experience.
Although the actuation forces of these switches differ, both share a similar bottom out force, with the Ayara requiring 62 grams and the Black Lotus demanding 63.5 grams. This means that when fully pressing down either switch, the resistance felt is relatively similar, offering a consistent level of resistance and feedback upon bottoming out.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Ayara and Durock Black Lotus linear switches showcase differences in their actuation forces, with the Ayara having an unknown force and the Black Lotus requiring 55 grams. However, they share a comparable bottom out force, with the Ayara at 62 grams and the Black Lotus at 63.5 grams. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference, with lighter weights favored for extended typing sessions, while heavier options provide a more forceful and substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a keyboard, as it determines the tactile feedback and typing experience. In the case of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel and experience the same 4 mm of travel distance. Consequently, users can expect similar results in terms of feedback and typing experience with both switches. Therefore, the travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is the same, providing consistent and satisfying typing experiences for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
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 Ayara switch provides a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. Additionally, if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound when pressing the keys, the Ayara switch also offers a high-pitched option. On the other hand, the Black Lotus switch does not have a specified sound description, so it is unknown how it sounds. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Ayara switch provides a polished and refined typing experience. This is achieved through its smooth and sleek finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Ayara switch offers a soft bottom-out feel, which adds to the overall typing comfort. Conversely, the Black Lotus switch is described as silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience. It minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys, giving a buttery and fluid keystroke sensation. The Black Lotus switch is also considered mild, offering a more gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Similar to the Ayara switch, the Black Lotus switch also provides a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the subjective qualities of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch differ in sound and feel. The Ayara switch has a neutral sound profile and a soft bottom-out feel, offering a hearty typing experience. On the other hand, the Black Lotus switch focuses on smoothness and precision, providing a silky and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance. Although the specific sound and actuation weight of the Black Lotus switch are not mentioned, it can be assumed to offer similar results to the Ayara switch in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile, we recommend the SP-Star Ayara linear switches. With its medium heftness and medium actuation force, these switches are suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether you're using them at home or work. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, along with reduced housing and stem wobble, the Durock Black Lotus linear switches are the way to go. With their substantial actuation weight and unique light column for in-switch lighting, these switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. They offer an effortless and uniform typing sensation, making them suitable for those who prefer a gentle and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between SP-Star Ayara and Durock Black Lotus will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
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