So a neighbour at work mildly mentioned in passing something about the noise from my keyboard (Realforce 86U).  At my desk I did a little check and found that the only possible noise that could make me distinct from the rubber domes all around (we work in cubicles) is on my key release.  I'm getting better now at not bottoming out much.  When I let a topre key go, the key hits at the top end and makes a little strike sound.

Turns out this is really no different than any other key I have; I'm on my Leo Otaku brown and it does the same thing.  So does my Model M.  The only one that doesn't is the scissors on my newer Apple keyboard.

Question is, hasn't any manufacturer picked up on this and offered any dampening at the top end vs all the attention paid to the bottoming out?  Is there any other discussion of that around?  

Not even sure if it can be done or what it would take, but it seems to me that after all the technology and engineering they've put into the bottom, I would think a little filter along the top is all would take.  Am I wrong?  

Discuss, discuss.

You can dampen the sound by putting dental bands on the keycap/plunger. I haven't tested it yet.

 
I was aware of such mod for the Bucklingspring switch. I didn't know it could be applied to Topre as well.

Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

so harsh.  I LIKE IT

Y'know, even the up-click has a sweet tone...like harmony with the down.  Somebody musical should check out the octaves or whatever.

My Realforce is actually a LOT quieter than the Keytronics everyone else in my office has...

My Realforce is actually a LOT quieter than the Keytronics everyone else in my office has...

And what is harder on the ears that pure rubber membranes throwing up at seventy words a minute.  Barf.  But they don't know they are typing on barf.

You can dampen the sound by putting dental bands on the keycap/plunger. I haven't tested it yet.

does that damp the sound at the end of upward travel when releasing the key? I thought the rubber rings and foam cushions are to reduce the bottoming out sound?

so harsh.  I LIKE IT

Seconded. As I'm typing on my RF right now I really don't get what someone could complain about, and I bottom out (gently). Heck, my girlfriend specifically requested that I use my Realforce at night as the sound is actually somewhat soothing and is heads and shoulders below(?) my Filco in noise level. It's really probably just jealousy or some other office shenanigans. It's going to be a tad louder than a regular rubber dome (unless you're SLAMMING the keys) but it still takes a back seat to BS and Blues.

Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

 
^ What this guy said.  Was the guy observing that it was different (I could believe that), or complaining that it was too loud?

I think it depends on exactly what you're comparing it to.  A lot of generic rubber dome keyboards have a lot of pinging from the key caps.  My RF has none.  This isn't to say that key release doesn't make a sound, but it's down in the mechanism and not the key cap "ringing" on release.  I also found that my Realforce does have a quiet "clink" when any stabilized key is released but it doesn't sound unpleasant.

Swap your RF out with an IBM Model M for a few days.  See if you ever hear any complaints about keyboard noise after you switch back.

I just did that two days ago.  I think I'm going to register a complaint against myself