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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: yester64 on Thu, 28 November 2013, 12:52:12
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Hello, i am looking for a keyboard with quiet keys. Currently i have a WASD with blue switches. Its a great keyboard, i just despise clicky loud keys. I read about the Matias Quiet Pro but the reviews were mixed so not sure if its really good.
Personally, i don't care what key switch technology is in there i just like to feel that i press a key and its quieter.
Originally i hoped for the clear switches, but there seems to be a problem to get a keyboard with these switches. Is my only hope currently brown switches? Red i tried too but i find them a little to soft and can't really tell when you press and get feedback.
Also, i can not spend to much money on a keyboard but up to $150 should be fine.
Thanks for suggestions. I know its all personal preferences but its really hard if you can not try them like the Matias which i haven't seen in a store.
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I really don't like browns, and if you want feedback you shouldn't go with linear switches such as reds or blacks.
Did you try using o-rings?
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Ah, the rings.. yes i did. I did not like the rings so i removed them. It created a very high pitch noise which i can't stand. I think i would rather use it like it is made. I know i can try blacks somewhere.
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I do like the Matias switches, but never tried the quiet ones.
I'd say you would like Topre :P, the sound is more 'muffled'.
There is the WASD V2 with clears: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-v2-87-key-barebones-mechanical-keyboard.html
My lubbed clears are very quiet.
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I do like the Matias switches, but never tried the quiet ones.
I'd say you would like Topre :P, the sound is more 'muffled'.
There is the WASD V2 with clears: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-v2-87-key-barebones-mechanical-keyboard.html
My lubbed clears are very quiet.
Topre but it's out of your price range unless you find a real force used. Get blacks and lube and oring them
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Just like how luxury cars are "LOUD"
luxury-keyboards are also "LOUD"
The most quiet keyboards are those $8 ones.. they use very thin keycaps, which means less stored momentum during key travel.. They also have very thin silicone domes inside, so force is around 30cn..
If your priority is quiet.. then there is no challenge to the $8 boards..
If instead, you want to blow money.. and then justify doing it in "OTHER WAYS". well.. you've come to the right place...
But make no mistake, NONE of the boards, matias, topre, topre-silenced, mx red, mx brown.... NONE of them are silent...
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I too was about to suggest a silenced Topre board as it gets a fair amounts of thumbs up in terms of silencing. D-I-Y silencing or otherwise factory fitted silencing. Until I saw the maximum price you want to pay for a keyboard. The only option again as suggested is to go for second hands and fit your own silencing on them if they don't have any silencing fitted.
Then the idea of fitting on silencers for the mechanical keyboard you currently own but then you said that emits a high pitched noise which is not something that you like.
You are pretty much limiting too much factors here, most mechanical boards as far as I know have metal parts that they use to actuate the key presses. These metal parts will make a sound, no matter how much silencing you want to put on them unless you want to go with some cheap membrane keyboard.
Topre has metal spring, ALPS, Cherry MX and Buckling Spring all have springs. Hushing the metal is not easy as people would know when metal hits metal in general it would create a sort of "ting" noise when they contact with each other.
If I were to be picky about what you wrote, you did not specify that you want a mechanical keyboard, that would allow me to give you at least two suggestions. One of them would be a touchscreen keyboard with the haptic feedback turned off. There will be no need for the keys to travel any sort of distance. Then there are those water resistant membrane keyboards, these are sealed pretty completely and chances are they won't make that much audible noise when used. Last but not least are those "holographic" keyboards, keyboards that uses laser to beam an image of a keyboard (at least the layout) onto an empty table. Again much like touchscreen keyboards, there is no need for a key to travel any sort of distance as there is essentially none. Typing on those holographic keyboards I can imagine would be as fun as tapping on any old regular desk without any sort of keyboard or anything.
Now, with that mentioned aside, $150 seems to be fairly restrictive for a mechanical keyboard with or without silencing pre-fitted. You could think outside the box for a bit and invest in some idea of making/buying a soundproof bag/box large enough for your keyboard and/or mouse to sit in. The more soundproof (including to the extreme point of where you have to use those "gloves" provided within the bag/box in order to type on the keyboard, etc.) the chances of keyboard emitting any sort of noise probably is the better.
Maybe something like this: (http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11310.jpg)
(http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-42202.html)Then with whatever remaining amount of funds, consider putting soundproof foams, drilling hole in the back to allow the keyboard and/or mouse cable to go through. Any larger holes, consider sealing the rest up with either rubber grommit and/or putty mixture.
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lol... that cool. :)
nah, doesn't need to be quiet quiet but just somewhat quieter than the blues i have.
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lol... that cool. :)
nah, doesn't need to be quiet quiet but just somewhat quieter than the blues i have.
I guess if silenced Cherry MX still isn't quiet, maybe a silenced Topre? Though again that would somewhat blow your budget right out.
Type heaven keyboard I just checked, is on sale for USD$150. Type heaven does not come with silencing so you will need to invest in the silencing yourself and doing it alone more or less.
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I don't really know how to use the quote function properly so.
Yester, I am unsure of how the O-rings produced a high pitched sound for you. O-rings dampen the bottoming out sound very much so you do
not hear the clack of the keycap hitting the top of the switch which is generally the loudest high pitched noise produced on MX boards although
the click from MX Blues is very high pitched. So if you tried o-rings on MX blues it is possible that you no longer heard the bottoming out and
then it isolated the high pitched actuation click and possibly the reset noise was more pronounced contributing to your dislike of o-rings.
You could try o-rings on a non clicky MX switch or as tp4 said, the very cheap dome keyboards are very quiet. I have used one and this is true.
They seem to be quieter than scissor and chiclet boards.
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Based on your descriptions of Browns not providing enough feedback and not caring what key technology, get a rubber dome board. It's exactly what you want: not loud, quiet, and with lots of feedback.
Mechanicals don't fulfill these descriptions together; anybody saying so is just promoting their own board (laughing at the people who are suggesting silenced Topre).
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Orings on browns should do the job.
If you want really quiet, though, your best options are DIY silenced Topre or DIY silenced MX using these mods: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50632.msg1113167#msg1113167
My whole board is trampoline and latex modded browns and it's quieter than all my rubber dome boards.
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Based on your descriptions of Browns not providing enough feedback and not caring what key technology, get a rubber dome board. It's exactly what you want: not loud, quiet, and with lots of feedback.
Mechanicals don't fulfill these descriptions together; anybody saying so is just promoting their own board (laughing at the people who are suggesting silenced Topre).
For the sake of this thread, I do believe the OP still prefers to retain mechanical keyboard but in the form of silencing.
Unless you can suggest another mechanical keyboard that can be fairly quiet, there really isn't much apart from silenced Topre. The OP has already tried o-ring mod but didn't like the high pitched noise coming from the keys when pressed/released whatever. Virtually all other mechanical keyboards may not seem quiet. There is also Matias quiet switches but ironically the majority have preferred to silence their Topre and as a result recommends silenced Topre.
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Based on your descriptions of Browns not providing enough feedback and not caring what key technology, get a rubber dome board. It's exactly what you want: not loud, quiet, and with lots of feedback.
Mechanicals don't fulfill these descriptions together; anybody saying so is just promoting their own board (laughing at the people who are suggesting silenced Topre).
For the sake of this thread, I do believe the OP still prefers to retain mechanical keyboard but in the form of silencing.
Unless you can suggest another mechanical keyboard that can be fairly quiet, there really isn't much apart from silenced Topre. The OP has already tried o-ring mod but didn't like the high pitched noise coming from the keys when pressed/released whatever. Virtually all other mechanical keyboards may not seem quiet. There is also Matias quiet switches but ironically the majority have preferred to silence their Topre and as a result recommends silenced Topre.
Was referring more to the tactile sensation he was talking about. Topres provided about as much tactility as Browns to me, so I would think that silencing would further reduce it. Either black o-ring clears, whites, etc. would work for MX. If he likes Topre, that would work as well, just at a significantly higher price point than proposed. Again, rubber domes provide all wanted factors, with zero quality of manufacturing to worry about.
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Lubed and o-ringed MX reds.
SUCH QUIET
SO SMOOTH
WOW
SUCH DAMPEN
THE SOFTNESS
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I believe the OP has tried blues with orings and stock reds. He found the blues with orings had a loud high pitch sound he doesn't like (the high click is due to the white part of the slider "jumping" down and hitting the bottom part of the case) and the reds too soft with not enough feedback.
Browns with orings are quieter, a little harder to press than reds due to the tactile bump and have the bump to let you know when they activate (and prevent accidental presses / typing mistakes).
Thick, dense keycaps helps make the sound of keys lower, too. I find thick POM the most "thocky" as opposed to "clicky". PBT is not as dense, ABS is least dense.
Topres are just different. The tactile "bump" is right at the top, then the dome "collapses" along with the pressure and there's a progressive increase in pressure again right near the bottom. They're quieter than stock MX. But a good Topre board is expensive.
DIY silencing a Topre is more effective than the stock "S" option.
You can videos on YouTube comparing the different options.
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You have tried WASD blue, so you should get a WASD brown or a Filco brown - quieter and lighter.
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Actually, i think i will try topre. Ironically Amazon has one of the "cheap" ones on sale and it fits the bill. I am not really married to MX-cherry switches and so i do like to try something else out. Conventional rubber dome i know and yes they are quiet and pretty nice. But i do like the mechanical keyboards since there do offer, at least in my case, a long lasting experience and use.
I hope no one talks me out of this now. :)
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Actually, i think i will try topre. Ironically Amazon has one of the "cheap" ones on sale and it fits the bill. I am not really married to MX-cherry switches and so i do like to try something else out. Conventional rubber dome i know and yes they are quiet and pretty nice. But i do like the mechanical keyboards since there do offer, at least in my case, a long lasting experience and use.
I hope no one talks me out of this now. :)
Sound decision (excuse the pun). I think you will enjoy it.
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It always depends how quiet you need. My experience is that stock linear/clear MX switches are on par with ordinary rubber domes, unless you smash them. When I need something silent, touchscreens or scissor switches with a rubber skin are obviously a better choice.
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Actually, i think i will try topre. Ironically Amazon has one of the "cheap" ones on sale and it fits the bill. I am not really married to MX-cherry switches and so i do like to try something else out. Conventional rubber dome i know and yes they are quiet and pretty nice. But i do like the mechanical keyboards since there do offer, at least in my case, a long lasting experience and use.
I hope no one talks me out of this now. :)
My HHKB is probably the quietest board I have. The Topre thick is much less intrusive than the Cherry click, and almost silent compared to the Model M clackity clack.
Having used all three at home early in the morning and late at night, the HHKB receives the least frowns from my other half.
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Maybe something like this: (http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11310.jpg) (http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-42202.html)
ROFL - Do they make those in 60% form factor?
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Maybe something like this: (http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11310.jpg) (http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-42202.html)
ROFL - Do they make those in 60% form factor?
(http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-42202.html)
That probably fits the 60% just perfectly hahaha. Nah I don't know but the photos is enough to tell one a thousand words what sort of soundproofing equipment they want if they are that fearful of sounds being emitted from keyboard.
Though.. on the contrary, that sort of setup, if ever done properly in real life would be virtually water and dust proof. Besides one also wouldn't need to worry too much about typing with cold bare hands as well! :))
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Just wanted to say that the keyboard is nice.
Its the "Type Heaven" and it may be the cheap version of them all, its nevertheless a great keyboard. It took me some while to get used to the keys but they are quiet.
Perhaps they are similar to the black cherry, not entirely sure about that. But its nice to type on it.
Not sure if anyone else has the same keyboard.
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If you are still looking for a quiet keyboard, try the Compaq Enhanced Keyboard II. Technically, it's not a mechanical keyboard (it uses rubber domes), BUT it is built like a tank. It is very heavy, and feels very solid, as heavy as a model M if not more so. It doesn't have that cheap plasticky feeling that modern dome keyboards have. The keys move straight up and down in their shafts; they don't wiggle or rattle side-to-side. Most importantly, the keyboard is very quiet, much quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
It's probably the quietest keyboard I have, and I have a half dozen crapy rubber domes accumulated over the years, along with the aforementioned MX black board, an MX blue, and some Model Ms.
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
Linear Switch + landing pads ?
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
Linear Switch + landing pads ?
Seems like the way to go if he wants silent linear.
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
Linear Switch + landing pads ?
Seems like the way to go if he wants silent linear.
Haha the keyboard that makes no noise
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
Linear Switch + landing pads ?
Seems like the way to go if he wants silent linear.
Haha the keyboard that makes no noise
Very Zen - the sound of a keyboard that makes no noise ...
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
Linear Switch + landing pads ?
Seems like the way to go if he wants silent linear.
Haha the keyboard that makes no noise
Very Zen - the sound of a keyboard that makes no noise ...
Blasphemy! I tell ya blasphemy!! in the mechanical world even the most quiet keyboard would still emit some noise.
Just wanted to say that the keyboard is nice.
Its the "Type Heaven" and it may be the cheap version of them all, its nevertheless a great keyboard. It took me some while to get used to the keys but they are quiet.
Perhaps they are similar to the black cherry, not entirely sure about that. But its nice to type on it.
Not sure if anyone else has the same keyboard.
Which keyboard? the HHKB? the Type Heaven?
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This keyboard is as quiet as mouse clicks and is infinitely adjustable
[attach=1][attach=2]
:D
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quieter than the mechanical I have with cherry MX blacks
That's impossible. Linear switches make no noise, the only source of noise is you bottoming out on them.
Linear Switch + landing pads ?
Seems like the way to go if he wants silent linear.
Haha the keyboard that makes no noise
Very Zen - the sound of a keyboard that makes no noise ...
It is very zen like...my HHKB for all intents and purposes is so much quieter now that when I switch back to my clears, which I considered somewhat quiet before, they just seem loud....perhaps it's time to finally mod some clears..... ???
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Quietest stock keyboards I've tried are linear MX switches (Red and Black), Matias Quiet Click, and Topre.
Quietest modified keyboards I've tried are lubed linear MX switches and Jailhouse Blues (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45992.0).
Soft landing pads would really help too as well as a drawer liner between the PCB/case and a mousepad/towel/drawer liner underneath the keyboard
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Lubed and o-ringed MX reds.
SUCH QUIET
SO SMOOTH
WOW
SUCH DAMPEN
THE SOFTNESS
This made me laugh out loud.
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Try the Matias Quiet Pro. I just got one and its really quiet indeed! I have cherry brown/blue and its louder.
Don't get o-rings. It makes the keyboards feel like membranes all over again.
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Try the Matias Quiet Pro. I just got one and its really quiet indeed! I have cherry brown/blue and its louder.
Don't get o-rings. It makes the keyboards feel like membranes all over again.
That was actually on my list. I might get it once i get another pc. Soon. So far this Type Heaven is good. I think an actually no noise keyboard is not what you really want but something thats not very loud.
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Scissor switch boards are the quietest.
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Topre 55g uniform is surprisingly quiet. You should youtube and check them out