Durock Dolphin vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Dolphin and the PH Studio Milk Tea are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique characteristics and benefits. The Dolphin is best suited for those seeking a silent typing experience, making it perfect for office settings or quiet work environments. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, it provides a satisfying press and precise typing experience. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch by PH Studio offers a unique auditory blend with a high-pitched sound that is still muted, striking a delicate balance between presence and subtlety. It boasts a light bottom-out force of 43.5g and is designed for extended typing sessions, with the use of Ly for the stem material ensuring effortless keystrokes. 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
N/A
Actuation force
37.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the PH Studio Milk Tea, one noticeable difference is in their top housing materials. The Dolphin features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This is in contrast to the Milk Tea's POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. While the Dolphin's polycarbonate emphasizes clarity and resonance, the Milk Tea's POM offers a unique and pleasing sound experience. Despite these differences, both housing materials are designed to enhance the overall sound quality of the switches.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, another point of contrast between the Dolphin and the Milk Tea becomes apparent. The Dolphin incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softness, allowing it to absorb more sound and produce a rounder tone. On the other hand, the Milk Tea utilizes a POM bottom housing, which also contributes to a deeper and more muted sound experience. Despite the difference in material, both bottom housings are designed to complement the top housing and overall sound profile of the switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the PH Studio Milk Tea play a significant role in determining the sound quality and feel of the switches. While the Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing offer a clearer and fuller sound profile, the Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housings provide a deeper and more muted tone. The combination of these housing materials results in distinct sound experiences for each switch, showcasing the importance of material choice in creating unique and enjoyable typing experiences. Despite their differences, both switches aim to enhance the overall sound and feel for users, highlighting the diversity and innovation in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, one notable difference is the actuation force and bottom out force. The Durock Dolphin has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium, while its actuation force is not specified. In contrast, the PH Studio Milk Tea has an actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, making it lighter than the Dolphin. This means that the Milk Tea switch may be preferred by those who enjoy a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, the Dolphin switch, with its higher bottom out force, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking faster response times, particularly gamers. The Dolphin has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Milk Tea, providing a slightly deeper keystroke feel. However, the difference of 0.2 mm is minimal and may not be noticeable to the average user. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance, making them suitable for users who prefer a more responsive typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
The PH Studio Milk Tea has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milk Tea for $4.00.
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 Durock Dolphin linear switch is known for its muted and low-pitched qualities, providing a softer and quieter typing experience that is ideal for environments where noise levels need to be kept in check. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch offers a unique auditory blend with a slightly high-pitched yet muted sound profile, creating a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. The Milk Tea switch is also described as clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant, offering a distinct sound that is sharp and crisp when pressed. Ultimately, the sound of a switch will also depend on factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, both the Durock Dolphin and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches are described as polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Additionally, the Milk Tea switch is also described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing feel that minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. These qualities make both switches comfortable for prolonged typing sessions, ensuring a pleasant and effortless typing experience.
When considering the subjective qualities of the Durock Dolphin and PH Studio Milk Tea linear switches, it is clear that each switch offers unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Dolphin is best suited for those seeking a more muted and low-pitched sound with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Milk Tea provides a high-pitched yet muted sound with a lighter actuation force and a smoother typing experience due to the use of Ly material for the stem. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using your keyboard. If you are in a setting where noise levels matter, such as an office or shared workspace, the silent operation of the Dolphin switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a lighter actuation force and prefer a unique auditory blend with a high-pitched yet muted sound, the Milk Tea switch would be a perfect fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for sound, actuation force, and typing feel to ensure a satisfying typing experience tailored to your needs.
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