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
- 62g Sakurios: Light, linear, and SO quiet. These feel so smooth out of the bag. Didn't bother to lube them. They don't need it. Might suggest just lubing the springs, but I barely notice any twang at all. Ultimately I found, for me, these were a tad too light. I tend to hit keys harder than some folks and was getting some accidental presses because I'm a gorilla. But damn these are nice.
- 67g Roselios: Same as the Sakurios, but a bit stiffer. I found these more comfortable for me, as I type heavier. I also lubed these springs and they feel great.
- 67g Aqua Zilents: As a recent fan of tactiles, and current user of Holy Pandas and V2 67g Zilents and Zealios, I am impressed. In a side by side with the regular 67g Zilents, the Aquas are just a tad smoother around the bump. Regular Zilents and Zealios seem a bit crisper or have a sharper bump. Zeal's site says the difference is the bottom of the housing. I looked for a difference in the stem/spring/leaf and my eyes saw none, but its noticeably smoother. They are very close to Holy Pandas in feel, but have slightly sharper tactility. HP's sound a bit better when made from POM housings, but sound is secondary to feel for me. Yes, I'll be ordering more from Drop now that Zeal's intro price is gone. EDIT: I DID lube these with Krytox 105 on the springs, and Tribosys 3204 on the stems. Perfecto!
I don't have the 62g Aqua's because I'm fairly certain they'd be too light, but I have no doubts they're as awesome as the 67g's.