Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
- Visually looks pretty good but...the letters on the backlit keys have some small imperfections (small lines blocking the light, stabilizers are a tiny bit rattly) the rgb around the case is not completely uniform and you can see where the LEDs are.
- Very rough keycaps, not sure this is a plus or a minus but its taking some getting used to
- The switches will vary based on your choice but the halo clears arent terrible
- To change your LED's or keymaps you will need to download some files, use massdrop's webbased compiler and reflash the firmware. I have yet to try this but I'm not stoked about this process as ive heard of people having problems... After messing with it, it is a bit confusing but i figured it out for the most part... seems that my keyboard is having trouble with showing the correct color on the right side panel even when changing them around it still shows the same lights in the wrong color (but always within the color scheme i set which is so weird.... those lights do have the capability of using all the RGB spectrum as the defaults work fine
- The feet are just plain stupid designing and demonstrate a lack of testing preproduction... they were on for less than a minute before falling off due to being weak magnetic feet that fall if you move sideways. back in the box they went
Remember i just got this today and have barely used it... i did at least test all my keys and the switches and lights (for the most part) are working SO FAR.. Im curious how it will behave once i swap the switches assuming I dont return it due to anymore serious problems