TTC Brother vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the TTC Brother and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Durock Piano linear switch stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The TTC Brother is celebrated for its lightweight design, featuring a breezy actuation of just 37g, making it a favorite among clicky switch enthusiasts. With a satisfyingly crunchy sound signature and a perfectly balanced tactile bump, it offers a tactile experience that is both precise and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is praised for its proprietary material blend, providing a smooth and gliding typing experience accompanied by a deep, creamy sound signature. While the Brother is known for being crunchy, easy-to-press, stepped, the Piano is categorized as bassy, frictionless, silky. Deciding between these switches may come down to personal preference and typing style; 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
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17.5mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Brother and Piano keyboards both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Brother utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharp, high-pitched sound with a clear and resonant profile. This material is also ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing produces a deep and satisfying sound profile, although the exact details of the blend remain unknown. Despite their differences, both materials offer distinct sound characteristics that cater to different preferences.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Brother features a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and results in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Piano boasts a proprietary POM blend bottom housing, which mirrors the deep and satisfying sound profile of its top housing. Although the exact composition of the blend remains a mystery, it is clear that both keyboards prioritize sound quality in their design.
Overall, the choice between the Brother and Piano keyboards may come down to personal preference in sound profile. The Brother's combination of polycarbonate and nylon produces a sharp top sound with a deep bottom sound, offering a balanced experience for keyboard enthusiasts. Conversely, the Piano's consistent use of a proprietary POM blend in both top and bottom housings ensures a coherent and satisfying sound profile throughout. Ultimately, both keyboards provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences, whether it's a preference for sharpness and clarity or deep and satisfying tones.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is clear that the Brother is lighter in terms of actuation force at 37 grams, while the Piano's actuation force is unknown. On the other hand, the Piano has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, compared to the Brother's unknown bottom out force. The actuation force of the Brother allows for a lighter touch when typing, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Piano's heavier bottom out force provides a more solid and substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer different experiences based on the force required, with the Brother being lighter and the Piano being heavier, but each can provide satisfying results depending on individual preferences.
Travel distance
The TTC Brother clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the Durock Piano linear switch. The Brother switch offers a quicker and more responsive typing experience, making it a popular choice among gamers who prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. On the other hand, the Piano switch provides a slightly deeper key press, which some users may find more comfortable for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and typing feel. Both switches offer a different typing experience, so it's essential to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Brother has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Brother for $3.30.
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.
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 TTC Brother clicky switch is known for its crunchy sound signature that resonates with each key press, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a bassy sound profile, deeper and richer in tone, providing a unique auditory experience. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Brother appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced click, while the Piano attracts users who appreciate a deeper and smoother sound during typing sessions.
In terms of feel, the TTC Brother clicky switch is described as easy-to-press, offering a gentle resistance that requires minimal force for activation. The stepped tactile bump provides a distinct feedback without being too intense, creating a balanced typing experience. Conversely, the Durock Piano linear switch is known for its frictionless and silky smooth feel, offering an effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Both switches provide unique tactile experiences, with the Brother emphasizing a light and responsive feel, while the Piano prioritizes a smooth and fluid key press.
Overall, the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Durock Piano linear switch each offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. The Brother excels in providing a satisfyingly crunchy sound and easy-to-press tactile feel with a balanced tactile bump, appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano stands out for its deep and creamy bassy sound profile, along with a frictionless and silky smooth typing feel that prioritizes effortless keystrokes. Whichever switch you choose, you can expect a high-quality typing experience tailored to your preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the TTC Brother clicky switch or the Durock Piano linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you appreciate a lightweight, tactile, and satisfyingly crunchy typing feel with clear clicky feedback, the Brother switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, frictionless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound profile, the Piano switch would be more to your liking. Remember that the Brother switch offers an easy-to-press sensation with a stepped feel, while the Piano switch provides a silky smooth feel with a bassy sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal typing preferences and what you value most in a keyboard switch.
Mentioned in this article
