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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: obj-c on Mon, 06 June 2016, 01:24:26

Title: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: obj-c on Mon, 06 June 2016, 01:24:26: Curious to hear what you switch you guys think makes the most pleasing auditory feedback? Whether its Topre, Cherry MX, Gateron, Zealios... what is the best sounding switch
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 06 June 2016, 01:35:57: Marquardt “butterfly” plate spring
Alps SKCM blue
IBM Model F
Omron B3G-S amber
IBM beam spring
Hi-Tek series 725 black
SMK clicky switches

All the ones you listed sound pretty lame IMO.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 01:36:57: I think you'll get a lot of people saying the ping of capacitive buckling springs sound lovely.

I can definitely say that the sounds of Alps SKCM switches are pretty divine, whether it's the thocky bottoming-out of non-dampened, non-clicky switches like those on SKCM Oranges or Salmons or the rich click of SKCM Blues.

As for the worst-sounding switches, I happily elect Cherry MX Blues because good lord. As someone once put it, typing on those sound like a swarm of angry locusts. :confused:
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: kiwi99 on Mon, 06 June 2016, 01:37:35: Aristotle Click Switch sliders in gateron/zeal/mx housings for Click
Gateron Blacks for Linear
Matias Quiet Clicks for Tactile
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 02:12:53: Quote from: jacobolus on Mon, 06 June 2016, 01:35:57
Marquardt “butterfly” plate spring
Alps SKCM blue
IBM Model F
Omron B3G-S amber
IBM beam spring
Hi-Tek series 725 black
SMK clicky switches

All the ones you listed sound pretty lame IMO.
/thread :))
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: klennkellon on Mon, 06 June 2016, 02:21:25: Almost all ALPS switches, even a lot of the clones sound nice. I actually prefer the sound over Buckling Springs.

Matias feel great but sound really tinny and rattly, worse than most clones.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: FrostyToast on Mon, 06 June 2016, 02:32:06: Fc660c topre needs to fit here somewhere.
These are all clicky switches.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Fiery on Mon, 06 June 2016, 02:43:58: From the ones I have used I like the sound of MX Greens (I also hate it but love it) and MX Clears
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:06:56: For me Model M buckling springs.

Probably 'cause I haven't had a Model F yet.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:28:52: Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:06:56
For me Model M buckling springs.

Probably 'cause I haven't had a Model F yet.
Not everyone likes the ping of the Model F. I think it's great, but many people I've showed it to didn't like it.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:30:27: Not in a rush to get a Model F keyboard myself since I feel I'd be one of those people. :-X
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: davkol on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:34:42: tactile Oki Gourd Spring
vintage Cherry MX Blue (its stem is different from modern MX Blue)
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 04:28:50: Quote from: davkol on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:34:42
tactile Oki Gourd Spring
Oh man, it's so good on the spacebar!
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 06 June 2016, 05:49:34: Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:28:52
Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 06 June 2016, 03:06:56
For me Model M buckling springs.

Probably 'cause I haven't had a Model F yet.
Not everyone likes the ping of the Model F. I think it's great, but many people I've showed it to didn't like it.

I have a CODE with MX clears that is supposed to ping a lot. Mine either doesn't ping, I can't really hear it, or when I do I think it sounds like distant wind chimes.

Perhaps I'd like a pinging F :)
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: quasistellar on Mon, 06 June 2016, 06:17:34: I'm probably in the minority, but I hate the sound of buckling springs. So tinny and twangy yuck.

It's also hard to isolate the sound of Topre from the board it's in, as on its own it's pretty quiet.

With that in mind, is have to say the best sounding "click switch" too me is clicky Alps. I won't narrow it down further as I haven't tried many.

My favorite noon clicky switch is silenced Topre
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 06 June 2016, 10:16:20: In general, I want my keyboard switches to be as silent as possible. I think that if there should be a sound at all, it should be at actuation ... and if you want a sound at actuation then you could just as well do it in software.

But I do enjoy when I get a good "thock" when I press the Return key. Topre is satisfying for me in that way.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Touch_It on Mon, 06 June 2016, 10:17:32: Out of everything I have heard (in person). No beamspring, blue alps, or more exotic switches, IBM Model F's sound the best. It is certainly music to my ears.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: y11971alex on Mon, 06 June 2016, 10:28:40: The spacebar noise on the Model F is quite jarring though. :D
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: mike52787 on Mon, 06 June 2016, 10:34:09: Alps plate spring
Model F
Alps SKCM blue
Alps SKCM white
Alps SKCL green
Hitek clicky space invaders
SMK Monterey blue
Beam spring
Topre?
Model m is great but doesnt touch model f
all mx sound and feel like ****

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10: Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: appleonama on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:05:30: Ssk buckling
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Moistgun on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:13:54: Whole board? SSK

"switch"? the left shift key on a HHKB Pro 2
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: klennkellon on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:09:42: Quote from: y11971alex on Mon, 06 June 2016, 10:28:40
The spacebar noise on the Model F is quite jarring though. :D
The Model M's is as well, rattly and makes a loud THUNK.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11: Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:43:55: Cherry is the only company who has really put any effort into mechanical keyboard market, of course, if only barely. Unicomp is just sitting on their deteriorating IBM molds and Alps Electric hasn't cared about keyboard switches for about 15 years now! :p
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: kiwi99 on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:46:44: Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Its the german engineering duh ;)
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:52:11: Sound...

Topre or buckling spring.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: fublamchu on Mon, 06 June 2016, 16:06:22: Model F buckling springs, vintage blacks, and ergo clears
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 16:51:35: Quote from: kiwi99 on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:46:44
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Its the german engineering duh ;)
Except they're American :p .
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: quasistellar on Mon, 06 June 2016, 16:57:41: Quote from: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:43:55
Cherry is the only company who has really put any effort into mechanical keyboard market, of course, if only barely. Unicomp is just sitting on their deteriorating IBM molds and Alps Electric hasn't cared about keyboard switches for about 15 years now! :p

Omron is trying to innovate (for Logitech, at least )

Matias is carrying the Alps torch, but people would rather buy old keyboards. It'd be nice if he'd come out with some better keycaps and some lighter switches-- they're just a little heavy for my taste.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Wazazaby on Mon, 06 June 2016, 17:02:04: Lubbed Vintage MX Black are pretty good! But my favorite is definitely Gat Greens because of dat click
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 17:14:29: Quote from: quasistellar on Mon, 06 June 2016, 16:57:41
Quote from: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:43:55
Cherry is the only company who has really put any effort into mechanical keyboard market, of course, if only barely. Unicomp is just sitting on their deteriorating IBM molds and Alps Electric hasn't cared about keyboard switches for about 15 years now! :p

Omron is trying to innovate (for Logitech, at least )

Matias is carrying the Alps torch, but people would rather buy old keyboards. It'd be nice if he'd come out with some better keycaps and some lighter switches-- they're just a little heavy for my taste.

Yup, PBT key caps and just better switches. Matias switches are heavily based off of the inferior simplified Alps SKBM/SKBL. Many of us want someone to start manufacturing complicated Alps again!
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Tue, 07 June 2016, 07:35:00: Quote from: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 17:14:29
Quote from: quasistellar on Mon, 06 June 2016, 16:57:41
Quote from: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:43:55
Cherry is the only company who has really put any effort into mechanical keyboard market, of course, if only barely. Unicomp is just sitting on their deteriorating IBM molds and Alps Electric hasn't cared about keyboard switches for about 15 years now! :p

Omron is trying to innovate (for Logitech, at least )

Matias is carrying the Alps torch, but people would rather buy old keyboards. It'd be nice if he'd come out with some better keycaps and some lighter switches-- they're just a little heavy for my taste.

Yup, PBT key caps and just better switches. Matias switches are heavily based off of the inferior simplified Alps SKBM/SKBL. Many of us want someone to start manufacturing complicated Alps again!
Even Alps.tw didn't base his new switches off the switchplate design. Why are all these manufacturers so afraid of the switchplate? It was a great design. Tall (and grey) and with proper full-width steel click leaves in what I gathered is a PBT housing, with thin ABS doubleshots on top; recipe for beautiful sound.

I broke out the KB-101A again recently for my channel trailer - man, I don't think any sound will EVER trump SKCM blue.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 07 June 2016, 07:58:07: There was a website, where you could test the sounds of various keyboards, anyone remember the site?
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 07 June 2016, 08:23:25: Quote from: MOZ on Tue, 07 June 2016, 07:58:07
There was a website, where you could test the sounds of various keyboards, anyone remember the site?

I think Mr. Interface had one but it seems down now.

For reference it was mrinterface.com
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: QuincyJones on Tue, 07 June 2016, 08:34:49: This sound of this switch (http://thebandswitch.com/) ... rocks!
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: daerid on Tue, 07 June 2016, 09:50:20: My absolute favorite is the HHKB. I just wish I could type on it longer than a minute at a time. My second favorite is silenced 55g Topre, followed by Browns (although I don't like typing on them), and then (oddly) the sound of Blues but dampened through over-ear headphones. Something about the way the headphones filter out the top end and makes them a bit more like snappy browns.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Olumin on Tue, 07 June 2016, 10:24:18: The strong, distinct, snappy sound of a typebar hitting the paper on a old, metal electric typewriter.
Or a IBM selectric.

Not exactly a Keyboard switch, but... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
These sounds cannot be beaten, especially by a computer keyboard, don't even try. That stuff just is in a different league.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:16:07: Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Is there any switch that perform better than MX while be pressed on the side of the keycap (excluding topre)?
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:40:08: Quote from: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:16:07
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Is there any switch that perform better than MX while be pressed on the side of the keycap (excluding topre)?
It's true, Cherry MX is remarkably well-stabilised; without a doubt its best feature. I think technically that's not really a virtue of the switches though, it's due to the effectiveness of Cherry stabilisers. You could use those stabilisers on other switches and they'd be really stable too.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:43:11: Quote from: chyros on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:40:08
Quote from: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:16:07
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Is there any switch that perform better than MX while be pressed on the side of the keycap (excluding topre)?
It's true, Cherry MX is remarkably well-stabilised; without a doubt its best feature. I think technically that's not really a virtue of the switches though, it's due to the effectiveness of Cherry stabilisers. You could use those stabilisers on other switches and they'd be really stable too.

So for non-stabilized keys it's not an issue?
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: klennkellon on Tue, 07 June 2016, 12:35:11: Quote from: quasistellar on Mon, 06 June 2016, 16:57:41
Quote from: emdude on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:43:55
Cherry is the only company who has really put any effort into mechanical keyboard market, of course, if only barely. Unicomp is just sitting on their deteriorating IBM molds and Alps Electric hasn't cared about keyboard switches for about 15 years now! :p

Omron is trying to innovate (for Logitech, at least )

Matias is carrying the Alps torch, but people would rather buy old keyboards. It'd be nice if he'd come out with some better keycaps and some lighter switches-- they're just a little heavy for my taste.

Matias are pretty light, lighter than most vintage ALPS. They did make a special edition of their linear switches that was like 40g, though.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: chyros on Tue, 07 June 2016, 12:48:30: Quote from: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:43:11
Quote from: chyros on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:40:08
Quote from: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:16:07
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Is there any switch that perform better than MX while be pressed on the side of the keycap (excluding topre)?
It's true, Cherry MX is remarkably well-stabilised; without a doubt its best feature. I think technically that's not really a virtue of the switches though, it's due to the effectiveness of Cherry stabilisers. You could use those stabilisers on other switches and they'd be really stable too.

So for non-stabilized keys it's not an issue?
Not for most high- and top-tier switches, no.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: y11971alex on Tue, 07 June 2016, 15:13:57: Quote from: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:16:07
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Is there any switch that perform better than MX while be pressed on the side of the keycap (excluding topre)?
Beamspring's doing pretty well for me, since the stem is vertical and reacts admirably well to presses off centre from the horizontal axis.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: HeeCh2ei on Wed, 08 June 2016, 05:53:22: Quote from: y11971alex on Tue, 07 June 2016, 15:13:57
Quote from: HeeCh2ei on Tue, 07 June 2016, 11:16:07
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:33:11
Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:30:10
Cherry MX Buhruuu...

it best sound..

it most smooth..

Show Image
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

It's not smooth in any way and they're among the worst-sounding switches I know. Cherry MX sucks comparative donkey balls, how the **** they managed to corner the market is frankly beyond me.

Is there any switch that perform better than MX while be pressed on the side of the keycap (excluding topre)?
Beamspring's doing pretty well for me, since the stem is vertical and reacts admirably well to presses off centre from the horizontal axis.

That would be strange if it not perform well with such long stems.

Quote from: chyros on Tue, 07 June 2016, 12:48:30
Not for most high- and top-tier switches, no.

Ok, thanks.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: FrostyBunny on Thu, 09 June 2016, 03:50:51: Quote from: Moistgun on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:13:54
Whole board? SSK

"switch"? the left shift key on a HHKB Pro 2

x2

the left shift of HHKB sounds perfect.

thock
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: MrRooks on Thu, 09 June 2016, 08:23:43: Hard to say because plate material has such huge effect. 3 identical Gaterons in 3 different plates(or lack of) will sound way different.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: Mattr567 on Fri, 10 June 2016, 00:38:03: SKCM Alps. Blue or Orange fit the bill. Love the thockiness of the Oranges, so classic sounding.

Otherwise capacitive BS is excellent.
Title: Re: What do you guys think is the best sounding switch
Post by: 27 on Sat, 11 June 2016, 23:30:42: The best that I've experience would be lubed and dental banded 45g topre, or Monterey blue alps. The topre being quiet and warm, the other clicky but doesn't sound cheap or pingy like mx or bs.