MX Blues, Unicomp User Next Door?

[TnTA2]

Hey guys. I'm about to pull the trigger on my first mech KB. I think I've decided on the Ducky One 2 Skyline, but am torn between Cherry MX Blues vs Browns. My next-office neighbor has a Unicomp Ultra Classic BS KB. I find it to be loud and noticeable when he's typing, but not annoying. I've played around with a key switch tester for the past several days and think I prefer blues with no regard for anyone other than myself. I don't want to anyone around me unnecessarily. Our office setup is weird. We have our IT workroom/storage in between our offices, but all there are joined by a separate hallway off the main area which is a big open common area where our commission meetings take place. There are four more offices around the perimeter of this room. I've gone and taken sample recordings of his KB and the blues vs browns to compare. The blues are definitely higher-pitched, but  I don't find them to be annoying. I just randomly started tyoing on the blue switch tester and yelled over to him and asked if that sound was annoying. He said it was slightly annoying and asked what it was. Told him I was trying to see if blue switches would be bothersome. He seemed OK with it, but I'm not sure he wasn't just being nice.

Thoughts on this situation? Anyone find BS or Blues more annoying than the other in a spaced out environment?

[Sup]

Idk i always bring a silent MX keyboard to Work in order not to get executed on the public ground of the office. But if your place is fine with it or at least the people that are gonna hear it daily  why not. Also key switch testers don't really give you a idea how a keyboard really feels in practice.

[fohat.digs]

You (I) may get a bunch of hate for saying it, but if I used Cherry switches (I don't) I would definitely get brown or clear in preference to blue, which has an incredibly annoying high-pitched tinniness, in my opinion. Unless I was doing the "jailhouse" modification, but that is another level.

[TnTA2]

After listening to my recording of the blues vs browns, I'm starting to think that the blues might even get on my nerves after a while. Sound aside, I do like the feel of the blues a bit better, but going from my pseudo-tactile Logitech wireless KB, the browns will still be a huge improvement. I was never a mechanical keyboard fan until I got this KB that has a slight clack sound and a noticeable bump in the travel. I used to prefer squishy, short travel laptop style keyboards now I can't stand 'em

[HungerMechanic]

You're not wrong. Like many 'clicky' switches, MX Blues are as 'tactile' as they are 'clicky.' Blue-style switches can be very satisfying, and can be very good for typing.

But many of them are loud/high-pitched/tinny, and that's why people tend to use non-clickies in the office.

[MJmusicguy]

the uncomp isnt that bad  if you go that way do not get te classic instead get the "new model M" very steady no flaws and just beautiful the old stock items have noted flaws do to ageing tools they have new equipment now though they use for the new model M.

https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/UT40U4A
I am using one right now its my first venture into MK but I am a researcher

if I had not bought the unicomp my choice would have been
 Filco Majestouch 2 in MX blue
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3900

note this after months of research based on my own tastes and needs

I hope I helped?

[Maledicted]

What switches have you got to test against? You make it sound like it is just Cherry MX. I don't know that anybody that ends up preferring clickies just settles on MX blues for good. I used them happily for years, until I got a good deal on an IBM Model F (realizing things could be so much better), and then a Leading Edge DC-2014 with Alps SKCM blues, then tried Kailh box thick clicks, Chinese Cherry clones, and other vintage clickies.

So far, of what I have felt, MX blues have now fallen down to my second least favorite clicky, just barely edging out Ajazz(Zoro?) blues.

Have you felt the Unicomp? If so, what did you think about that?

I would maybe try some more clickies before making a decision, especially if sound is such a big issue. Now that I have other switches to compare them against, I like to describe the sound and feel of MX blue to typing on plastic grocery bags. In contrast, I have yet to encounter anybody who doesn't enjoy the pleasant, crisp, deep sound of Alps SKCM blues or box jades.

P.S. if anyone in your office dislikes the sound of SKCM blues, they are heretics, and their opinion is invalid.

[TnTA2]

What switches have you got to test against? You make it sound like it is just Cherry MX. I don't know that anybody that ends up preferring clickies just settles on MX blues for good. I used them happily for years, until I got a good deal on an IBM Model F (realizing things could be so much better), and then a Leading Edge DC-2014 with Alps SKCM blues, then tried Kailh box thick clicks, Chinese Cherry clones, and other vintage clickies.

So far, of what I have felt, MX blues have now fallen down to my second least favorite clicky, just barely edging out Ajazz(Zoro?) blues.

Have you felt the Unicomp? If so, what did you think about that?

I would maybe try some more clickies before making a decision, especially if sound is such a big issue. Now that I have other switches to compare them against, I like to describe the sound and feel of MX blue to typing on plastic grocery bags. In contrast, I have yet to encounter anybody who doesn't enjoy the pleasant, crisp, deep sound of Alps SKCM blues or box jades.


P.S. if anyone in your office dislikes the sound of SKCM blues, they are heretics, and their opinion is invalid.

I just placed my pre-order for the One 2 Skyline with brown switches. I think the blues were just a bit too harsh, maybe even for me. Mechanical Keyboards has a storefront and is only about 40 min outside of Nashville, so I'm sure I can return and go test a bunch of switches if the browns don't do it for me. I was going to take a trip out there before making a decision but COVID-19 happened. I have been using the Logitech keyboard that I liked enough to delay a purchase, but I managed to snap one of the feet off and can't stand typing on it flat. I have it propped up right now, but it's driving me crazy.

I have typed on my co-worker's Unicomp and I didn't love it. I don't have anything to compare other than a few short stints on the Unicomp and the Cherry switch tester that has blue, green, brown, clear, red and black. Definitely prefer the sound and feel of either the blue or brown. This being my first mech, I think I'm going to enjoy the browns just fine.

[fohat.digs]

P.S. if anyone in your office dislikes the sound of SKCM blues, they are heretics, and their opinion is invalid.

can't stand typing on it flat. I have it propped up right now, but it's driving me crazy.

In an office setting not wanting to have to listen to any extraneous sound at all is an entirely valid attitude.

I recommend taking a hand towel and folding and rolling it so that it cushions and elevates the keyboard just the way you want it. It costs nothing and you can keep adjusting it until you get just like you want.

[Maledicted]

P.S. if anyone in your office dislikes the sound of SKCM blues, they are heretics, and their opinion is invalid.

can't stand typing on it flat. I have it propped up right now, but it's driving me crazy.

In an office setting not wanting to have to listen to any extraneous sound at all is an entirely valid attitude.

I recommend taking a hand towel and folding and rolling it so that it cushions and elevates the keyboard just the way you want it. It costs nothing and you can keep adjusting it until you get just like you want.

The heretic thing was (mostly) a joke. I'm fortunate that nobody seems to mind my buckling spring (well, at least one student doesn't like those), Alps, and thick click boards.

[TnTA2]

I received my Ducky One 2 Skyline a bit early. So far I am loving it! I think the MX Brown switches are perfect for my environment. They are audible, but don't sound annoying. The keyboard feels extremely solid and I'm getting used to the change in actuation force. I think I made a great choice. Thanks for all the useful input!

[Maledicted]

I received my Ducky One 2 Skyline a bit early. So far I am loving it! I think the MX Brown switches are perfect for my environment. They are audible, but don't sound annoying. The keyboard feels extremely solid and I'm getting used to the change in actuation force. I think I made a great choice. Thanks for all the useful input!

That's a smart-looking board, matches its environment well too.

[typo]

I love blues. so long as you are considerate of others.

[HungerMechanic]

Great-looking Skyline. It's one of my favourite Duckies. Is that a gray case, or is it just the photo?

Anyway, MX Brown is fine for a first mech, or even a last one. When you're bored, you can pick up a hotswap keyboard on sale and try other tactiles. It's easy to go from Browns to Kailh BOX Browns / Pro Purples, Cherry Ergo Clears, and such. And from Blues to BOX White / Jades.

You did great, and it fits really well into your office.

[TnTA2]

Great-looking Skyline. It's one of my favourite Duckies. Is that a gray case, or is it just the photo?

Anyway, MX Brown is fine for a first mech, or even a last one. When you're bored, you can pick up a hotswap keyboard on sale and try other tactiles. It's easy to go from Browns to Kailh BOX Browns / Pro Purples, Cherry Ergo Clears, and such. And from Blues to BOX White / Jades.

You did great, and it fits really well into your office.

Thx! I'm quite pleased so far. Yes, it's a gray case. The top case and bottom case are both the same medium/dark gray. I kinda wish it had the two-tone treatment with the lighter gray of the primary keycaps' color, but that's just me being uber picky. I can already tell this is not going to be my last mech KB. I need a good wired KB for home and backup use, so maybe a hot-swap model will find its way into my possession before too long