Durock Piano vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Piano and the HMX Xinhai are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Durock Piano stands out for its proprietary material blend, which provides a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature while typing. Categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Piano switch offers a smooth and pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai features a unique PA12 top housing for a softer acoustics profile and a POM stem for a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. Categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', and 'Creamy', the Xinhai switch offers a blend of subtle sophistication and precise performance. When choosing between these two switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer – whether it's the smoothness of the Durock Piano or the crispness of the HMX Xinhai. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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 housing materials of the Durock Piano and the HMX Xinhai differ significantly in terms of the top housing. The Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend which offers a deep and satisfying sound profile, while the Xinhai features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Xinhai's top housing leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile, especially evident in switches featuring RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the POM blend in the Piano's top housing is described as offering a unique and deep sound profile, showcasing a different tonal quality compared to polycarbonate.
On the other hand, both the Durock Piano and the HMX Xinhai share similarities in their bottom housing materials. The Piano's bottom housing also utilizes the proprietary POM blend, which contributes to the switch's uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Meanwhile, the Xinhai's nylon bottom housing is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound, showcasing a contrast to the POM blend used in the Piano's bottom housing.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Durock Piano and the HMX Xinhai showcase how the choice of material can impact the sound profile of a switch. While the POM blend in the Piano's top and bottom housing offers a unique and deep sound profile, the Xinhai's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing in the Xinhai adds a deeper and fuller sound, contrasting with the impact of the POM blend used in the Piano. Despite these differences, both switches demonstrate how the choice of housing material can influence the overall sound experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is evident that they offer different typing experiences. The Durock Piano lacks an actuation force but has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, placing it on the lighter side. This means that the Piano switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force, while the Xinhai switch offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Piano being the heavier option and the Xinhai being the lighter alternative for typing.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Piano linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is evident that the Piano has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Xinhai's 3.4 mm. The difference may seem small, but it can have a noticeable impact on the typing experience. The Piano switch will provide a bit more depth and tactility when pressed, which some users may prefer for a more traditional feel. On the other hand, the Xinhai switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it ideal for those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, with the Piano offering a longer travel distance for those who prefer a more substantial feel, while the Xinhai provides a shorter travel distance for a faster and more responsive typing experience.
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 HMX Xinhai 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound profile with a bassy tone, making each key press a satisfying experience with a rich auditory feedback. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai linear switch provides a sharp and clacky sound, giving a crisp and percussive feel to typing. Depending on your preference for sound, the Piano switch may be more appealing for those who enjoy a deeper, richer tone, while the Xinhai switch caters to individuals who prefer a sharper and brighter sound during typing sessions.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Piano switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience, offering smooth and effortless key presses with minimal resistance. This gives users a fluid travel sensation and enhances overall typing comfort. In contrast, the HMX Xinhai switch offers a bouncy and creamy feel, providing a spring-like feedback and a buttery typing experience. Both switches aim to deliver a smooth and comfortable typing experience, but the Piano switch focuses on minimizing friction, while the Xinhai switch aims to provide a more lively and rebounding feel to key presses.
Overall, the Durock Piano and HMX Xinhai linear switches offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. If you enjoy a bassy sound profile and a frictionless typing experience, the Piano switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a clacky sound and a bouncy, creamy typing feel, the Xinhai switch could be more suited to your preferences. It is important to consider your personal preferences in terms of sound and feel when selecting a switch, as both options offer high-quality performance and comfort for typing enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Piano linear switch or the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a deep, creamy sound with a frictionless and silky typing experience, the Durock Piano may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and appreciate a crisp, higher-pitched sound with a bouncy and creamy typing experience, the HMX Xinhai could be the perfect fit for your needs. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and benefits, so it's essential to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your individual preferences and typing preferences.
Mentioned in this article
