What do you think the best sounding linear switch is?

[dumpling420]

Looking for the best sounding linear switch out there. It's hard to tell through sound tests online just because of how inconsistent they are.

What are your thoughts?

Currently debating between tealios, tangerines, inks, and creams.

[ArchDill]

They are more factors to consider. The lube that is used and the plate they are on can have an effect on it.

So far my favorite combo has been thin lubed Tealios on a brass plate.

[Altis]

Green Alps. 

For any switch though, especially linears, the sound can change quite a bit due to keycaps and chassis.

[Polymer]

Looking for the best sounding linear switch out there. It's hard to tell through sound tests online just because of how inconsistent they are.

What are your thoughts?

Currently debating between tealios, tangerines, inks, and creams.

MX Silent..

[nyihtway81]

for me, it's Cherry Browns.

[Sup]

Cherry mx black lubed

[Surefoot]

Gateron Ink

[killyou]

After trying Tealios, Cherry Red, Black, silent variants, Gateron black and finally Kailh BOX Red I'm happy with the BOX Reds.

[Surefoot]

After trying Tealios, Cherry Red, Black, silent variants, Gateron black and finally Kailh BOX Red I'm happy with the BOX Reds.

But which is the best sounding one ? NK Creams sound unique for example... While i like the Box switches a lot, their sound is nothing special.

[ideus]

A keyboard's sound depends on the case, the caps, the plate - if any - and the switches. Probably in that order. Your preferred switch will sound different with combinations of the other factors. In my experience, the case and plate make up most of a given sound result. Their material and how hollow is the case account for the lows and highs of its sound and its volume. The caps also give the final assembly its particular pitch. Regarding switches I have observed that clicky type adds its own noise to the typing, while linear and tactile don't.

I'd say; Choose your switch, build your board and be surprise by the final result.

Edit: One more thing: You asked about the best sounding switch. In who's opinion? You are having different recommendations because each one is giving you a personal opinion. By definition, your opinion will be different than ours. Bottom line: Try it by yourself.

[directheatedtriode]

SKCL green

[killyou]

After trying Tealios, Cherry Red, Black, silent variants, Gateron black and finally Kailh BOX Red I'm happy with the BOX Reds.

But which is the best sounding one ? NK Creams sound unique for example... While i like the Box switches a lot, their sound is nothing special.

Sound is soooo subjective and depends on the keyboard, room, keycap profile, keycap material that it's almost impossible to compare the sound of the switches based on somebody elses videos. What I do is I use all switches with stock PBT Pok3r keycaps which are fairly tall OEM profile, taller than Cherry profile and that makes the switches to sound deeper and bassier. I prefer that deeper characteristic and that was the reason why I sold GMK Laser set because of the sound profile of ABS and cherry keycap profile. I bought into the SA Laser so we'll see how different the sound is this time.

If I were you I would just find nice switches and tweak the board and keycaps. Kailh BOX Reds are nice enough that I don't hear the slider grinding against the housing like with Cherry Reds and all I hear is deep thock when bottoming out. I have not taken them apart yet but other BOX switches have some prelubed parts and I assume these ones are not different. I'm done with chasing fantasy land expensive switches.

[Surefoot]

If I were you I would just find nice switches and tweak the board and keycaps. Kailh BOX Reds are nice enough that I don't hear the slider grinding against the housing like with Cherry Reds and all I hear is deep thock when bottoming out. I have not taken them apart yet but other BOX switches have some prelubed parts and I assume these ones are not different. I'm done with chasing fantasy land expensive switches.

I have around 1000+ switches laying around, including multiple Box variants, NK Creams, Healios, Gateron Inks of various sorts, 8 keyboards including a GMMK that's used as a kind of test bench (for plate mount switches at least).. So yeah i'm doing that already. NK Creams have a sound profile of their own, i can say that much, and it's really unique. Gat Inks are just a "high quality thock" variant with the usual Gateron smoothness.
As for keys i can recommend high quality, very thick PBT caps like KAT, XDAS (note the S), these two are the thickest and bassiest, maybe those upcoming half height SA things, and of course thick SA keys.

[suicidal_orange]

As above - the plate plays a big part in the sound.  Personally I love the muted thunk from Gateron clear stems in Zealio v1 housings in a 5mm acrylic plate.

[vegs]

Vintage MX blacks >>>

[ideus]

The thread has now most of the linears mentioned as the best sounding ones, already. Of course, any switch sounds the best for someone.

[walletburner]

for me its lubed creams. the material + the dampening from thick lube makes them pretty great imo

[DALExSNAIL]

The one that makes the least noise.

[_rubik]

Vintage MX blacks >>>

*lubed* vintage mx blacks 

[Prelim]

The thread has now most of the linears mentioned as the best sounding ones, already. Of course, any switch sounds the best for someone.

x2 lol... and strangely, people are more concerned how linear switches sounds than how they feel @@

(https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=102000.msg2798482 for more useful information on linears)

[ideus]

The thread has now most of the linears mentioned as the best sounding ones, already. Of course, any switch sounds the best for someone.

x2 lol... and strangely, people are more concerned how linear switches sounds than how they feel @@

(https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=102000.msg2798482 for more useful information on linears)

Good point as always. How a switch feels is mostly related with the switch itself, maybe a bit with the cap used; but sound is related with the keyboard assembly, parts and materials.

[Rob27shred]

As others have stated this thread is not gonna come up with a consensus answer since so much more than just the switch itself goes into how it sounds in a certain board. Although if we're putting our personal opinions out there I would have to go with lubed MX blacks, retooled or vintage. Just something about those Cherry housings & the way they make the switch sound I love. Creams might displace them IMO whenever I get around to building a board with them. Although I much prefer tactile switches so I don't see that coming anytime soon.

[Venaros]

Inks or Blacks