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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nhyrum on Mon, 25 January 2016, 00:52:40

Title: quiet keyboard?
Post by: nhyrum on Mon, 25 January 2016, 00:52:40
Hello all!

I do apologize if this is a question you get a lot, but i have read a few threads, and even searched, but havent really found what in looking for. I am in the process of building a near silent pc and want to eliminate the other noises(so if there is a forum like this for mice, that would be handy-dandy!)

Im looking for a full sized(may contemplate a TKL) mech keyboard for gaming. I want it to be very quiet(eliminating any clicky switches.) I am open to modifying the board with stickers, o rings etc.

I like the razer blackwidow, or a board with brown switches. also the HHKB seems highly recommended, but i dont know how topre switches will feel...

I am new to the whole keyboard modifying scene, but am a heavy tinkerer, so i dont think doing any modifications will be beyond my capabilities with the help of instructables.

thanks for your help and patience
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: phoible on Mon, 25 January 2016, 01:02:29
The two quietest switches on the market are Matias Quiet Clicks and Silenced Topre.

For Silenced Topre, you can either buy a HHKB Type-S or buy a regular Realforce/Novatouch and add the silencing rings separately (requires taking the keyboard apart). There's also a silenced full-size Realforce on Massdrop right now (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topre-silenced-104u-with-pbt-spacebars).

Matias Quiet Clicks are available in 60% or 80% (KBP v60/v80), or you can buy the full-size Quiet Pro from Matias. I have the v80, and like it a lot (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ has a bunch in stock).

Cherry MX Tactile aren't super quiet, although MX Browns with O-rings will be quieter than unsilenced Browns. Some people seem to like MX Clears because they require a lot of force to bottom out, so you won't bottom them out as much as Browns.
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 25 January 2016, 01:18:30
The two quietest switches on the market are Matias Quiet Clicks and Silenced Topre.

For Silenced Topre, you can either buy a HHKB Type-S or buy a regular Realforce/Novatouch and add the silencing rings separately (requires taking the keyboard apart). There's also a silenced full-size Realforce on Massdrop right now (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topre-silenced-104u-with-pbt-spacebars).

Matias Quiet Clicks are available in 60% or 80% (KBP v60/v80), or you can buy the full-size Quiet Pro from Matias. I have the v80, and like it a lot (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ has a bunch in stock).

Cherry MX Tactile aren't super quiet, although MX Browns with O-rings will be quieter than unsilenced Browns. Some people seem to like MX Clears because they require a lot of force to bottom out, so you won't bottom them out as much as Browns.

I concur, though if you want MX, the quietest you will probably find is either clears, or linear stems with clear springs or stiffer such as grays.
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 25 January 2016, 02:01:05
If you do go the MX route (e.g. clears) you can add O-rings to dampen the bottom out sound and reduce the noise even further.

There's also an input devices (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=71.0) section where mouses are discussed.
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 25 January 2016, 02:01:34
The two quietest switches on the market are Matias Quiet Clicks and Silenced Topre.

For Silenced Topre, you can either buy a HHKB Type-S or buy a regular Realforce/Novatouch and add the silencing rings separately (requires taking the keyboard apart). There's also a silenced full-size Realforce on Massdrop right now (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topre-silenced-104u-with-pbt-spacebars).

Matias Quiet Clicks are available in 60% or 80% (KBP v60/v80), or you can buy the full-size Quiet Pro from Matias. I have the v80, and like it a lot (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ has a bunch in stock).

Cherry MX Tactile aren't super quiet, although MX Browns with O-rings will be quieter than unsilenced Browns. Some people seem to like MX Clears because they require a lot of force to bottom out, so you won't bottom them out as much as Browns.

I concur, though if you want MX, the quietest you will probably find is either clears, or linear stems with clear springs or stiffer such as grays.
Not sure I'd recommend that for gaming though xD .
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: Giorgio on Mon, 25 January 2016, 05:52:13
any pcb mounted keyboard with uniqey clips
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: nhyrum on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:15:00
The two quietest switches on the market are Matias Quiet Clicks and Silenced Topre.

For Silenced Topre, you can either buy a HHKB Type-S or buy a regular Realforce/Novatouch and add the silencing rings separately (requires taking the keyboard apart). There's also a silenced full-size Realforce on Massdrop right now (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topre-silenced-104u-with-pbt-spacebars).

Matias Quiet Clicks are available in 60% or 80% (KBP v60/v80), or you can buy the full-size Quiet Pro from Matias. I have the v80, and like it a lot (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ has a bunch in stock).

Cherry MX Tactile aren't super quiet, although MX Browns with O-rings will be quieter than unsilenced Browns. Some people seem to like MX Clears because they require a lot of force to bottom out, so you won't bottom them out as much as Browns.

I think I'll look into the Matias quiet click. There's an fk302 for about 140. Either that or clears. Either way I'll probably still end up Lubing them as I already have the krytox oil recommended heavily in the mx lubing thread
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: tronbeaver on Mon, 25 January 2016, 09:11:49
Quote
I like the razer blackwidow, or a board with brown switches. also the HHKB seems highlt recommended, but i dont know how torpe switches will feel...

With your typing abilities the BlackWidow should be fine.
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: nhyrum on Mon, 25 January 2016, 22:22:28
Quote
I like the razer blackwidow, or a board with brown switches. also the HHKB seems highlt recommended, but i dont know how torpe switches will feel...

With your typing abilities the BlackWidow should be fine.

Im sure there are less **** ways to point out typos
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 01 February 2016, 16:53:58
If you like browns, why not browns + o-rings mod? I've done it to my filco and no co-workers ever complain at the office (so far, 1.5y in now at this job).
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: Bucake on Mon, 01 February 2016, 17:29:15
on this topic, has anyone found something thin that absorbs shock well, for between his keyboard and desk?
my typing produces a loud low thump while my keyboard is on my desk and i would love to soften or kill this sound.
so far i haven't really been able to find anything thin enough. i'm hoping to find something of like .1" or even less?
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 01 February 2016, 17:40:53
on this topic, has anyone found something thin that absorbs shock well, for between his keyboard and desk?
my typing produces a loud low thump while my keyboard is on my desk and i would love to soften or kill this sound.
so far i haven't really been able to find anything thin enough. i'm hoping to find something of like .1" or even less?

You can either put silencing foam in your case and/or there are these noise or force absorbing materials that are relatively thin that you can buy in sheets but I forgot their name.
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: nhyrum on Mon, 01 February 2016, 18:23:11
I bet a sheet of neoprene would work well for that.

As for o ring mods, do I just buy like 200 o rings, take the key cap off and put the o ring under it? Or do I have to take the switch off the board?
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: Quackles on Mon, 01 February 2016, 20:43:36
I bet a sheet of neoprene would work well for that.

As for o ring mods, do I just buy like 200 o rings, take the key cap off and put the o ring under it? Or do I have to take the switch off the board?

Just need to take the keycap off and put it under. Then put the cap back on the switch. You don't really need 200 unless you just want to stock up.

Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: nhyrum on Mon, 01 February 2016, 22:42:50
I'll need at least 104 as I prefer full size boards
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: bocahgundul on Mon, 01 February 2016, 22:44:47
Realforce 104 silent version
Title: Re: quiet keyboard?
Post by: klennkellon on Mon, 01 February 2016, 22:57:23
Topre and Matias Quiet Click/Quiet Linear are among the quietest switches.

Non-Clicky Cherry switches with o-rings can be pretty quiet, but this only quiets the bottoming out. Matias switches are dampened on the downstroke AND the upstroke.

I would also avoid Kailh switches or other Cherry clones if you're concerned about noise, my linear Kailh Reds with PBT are actually louder than my old clicky MX Blue board.