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
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ducky-channel-one-mechanical-keyboard-brown-cherry-mx-switch-uk-layout-dkon1508f-bukadaab1-kb-202-dk.html
Seems the main criticism of them is the cheap keycaps, which wouldn't be an issue in this case of course. Shame they don't seem to be in ISO layout, but the Kailh blues are clones of the Cherry MX blues so this keycap set should fit them fine (although if you're after browns I don't see that as an option on Amazon at least).
There are more budget options around than when I was last looking -- good luck with the search :-)