R2TLS-US5-IV (silenced Realforce R2) compared to HHKB Type S

[directheatedtriode]

Has anyone used both R2TLS-US5-IV (silent Realforce R2) and HHKB Type S? The silent Realforce R2 has been out for a little over a half year now and I'm seeing more and more owners with them.

I'm curious if anyone has owned both, is the R2TLS-US5-IV louder than the HHKB Type S due to the metal plate? The Type S I owned was very quiet and lovely to use but I've moved on from that layout. I absolutely love the unsilenced R2 55g (massive improvement over my old 87U 55g with the spacebar/overall build and feel) and I'm now thinking about getting a silenced R2 for use with a bedroom PC.

[rxc92]

I've owned both for about 2 years each (sold my HHKB a few years ago). 
I can't directly compare because I never had both at the same time, but the silencing on the R2 is really extremely good. I compared it with a stock unsilenced R1 board as well as a RF numpad, and it's much quieter. Also, not sure if it applies to all silenced boards, but the launch edition that I got came with two different thicknesses of foam sheets. I haven't used them, but it'd probably be super silent when applied (if a bit mushier).

[directheatedtriode]

I've owned both for about 2 years each (sold my HHKB a few years ago). 
I can't directly compare because I never had both at the same time, but the silencing on the R2 is really extremely good. I compared it with a stock unsilenced R1 board as well as a RF numpad, and it's much quieter. Also, not sure if it applies to all silenced boards, but the launch edition that I got came with two different thicknesses of foam sheets. I haven't used them, but it'd probably be super silent when applied (if a bit mushier).

Thanks, do you think this is a good representation of what it sounds like? I'm not looking for dead silent, some "Topre characteristics" would be nice.

[Hyde]

I have the full size version of R2S-US5-IV (55g Silent), I also own the 104UW modded to 45g uniform and silenced with silence-x rings.

This is probably gonna be unpopular opinion but I actually dislike the stock silencing on the R2.

I think the purple slider overcompensate now there's too much space so it wobbles, also the foam itself might be a bit too stiff so doesn't seem to silence enough.  Unless it's one of those things where it works well on 45g but on 55g it doesn't cushion enough, not too sure.

But right out of the box, I prefer the 104UW silent modded over stock silent R2.  The silence-x filled the gap enough so there's no wobble and it just feels solid.

I'm still experimenting options on what I can do to fix the R2 stock silence, so I applied the keyclack v2 rings to sort of "un-purple slider" then applied the #3 Deskey rings.  This sort of works though it's not perfect yet.  I also previously tried purple slider + hypersphere rings, and this still goes into the tactility a little bit (despite purple slider) but it's the quietest silence method out of anything I tried.  Again I'm still experimenting but I'll update here as I find out more.  So far I like either of those approach better than stock silent.

The video you linked I think is much quieter than it is in real life.  In real life it's not that quiet.  But it does represents the "crunchy" sound that I didn't like.  I'm used to topre being "thocky" as oppose to "crunch crunch crunch".

I've never owned a HHKB type-s so I can't speak for that unfortunately.

[directheatedtriode]

I have the full size version of R2S-US5-IV (55g Silent), I also own the 104UW modded to 45g uniform and silenced with silence-x rings.

This is probably gonna be unpopular opinion but I actually dislike the stock silencing on the R2.

I think the purple slider overcompensate now there's too much space so it wobbles, also the foam itself might be a bit too stiff so doesn't seem to silence enough.  Unless it's one of those things where it works well on 45g but on 55g it doesn't cushion enough, not too sure.

But right out of the box, I prefer the 104UW silent modded over stock silent R2.  The silence-x filled the gap enough so there's no wobble and it just feels solid.

I'm still experimenting options on what I can do to fix the R2 stock silence, so I applied the keyclack v2 rings to sort of "un-purple slider" then applied the #3 Deskey rings.  This sort of works though it's not perfect yet.  I also previously tried purple slider + hypersphere rings, and this still goes into the tactility a little bit (despite purple slider) but it's the quietest silence method out of anything I tried.  Again I'm still experimenting but I'll update here as I find out more.  So far I like either of those approach better than stock silent.

The video you linked I think is much quieter than it is in real life.  In real life it's not that quiet.  But it does represents the "crunchy" sound that I didn't like.  I'm used to topre being "thocky" as oppose to "crunch crunch crunch".

I've never owned a HHKB type-s so I can't speak for that unfortunately.

Good info thanks. The Type S sounds sort of like that video in that it's more wock-wock-wock, but I think it sounds quieter than that video. Very hard to say since you can make videos as loud or quiet as you want with the volume slider. I can't recall any wobble, I might not be the most sensitive to these things being used to MX style switches (Holy Panda) and all 

[typo]

I have a completely customized RGB in a Titanium CASE that with a 26# weight that has 3 way silencing. Get to that point and it is lovely. Be prepared to take out a second mortgage. A stock RGB borders on junk though. The RGB is a R2 however. The Seasonics now fetch $550 stock. Which I find crazy. The Fujitsu is $265. Just put SP caps and silence it and it too is then over $500 as well. The stock key caps on it are trash. I also have the factory silenced HHKB spoken of here. I do not find any benefit over my non silenced one. That was back when it was "only" $280 and shipped at once. I have now been waiting 2 months for one to ship. If I die and you have money to burn my buddy will let you in my home.

[Polymer]

IMO, the Type S is a bit louder...but it is more the frequency is slightly different more so than the actual measurement of sound (I haven't measured both so I can't say). 

The issue with the standard Type S will be the spacebar...which is still ABS and the stabilizer might clank a bit (so if you're getting it I'd replace the spacebar with a PBT one in hopes that fixes the issue). 

I haven't seen the HHKB Hybrid Type S in person so it is hard to say..but it seems to have a slightly different sound...I'd definitely consider going this route...that and the Hybrid HHKB non type S I don't really like the sound.

[rxc92]

Just remember to ignore anything typo says, they are mentally unstable and a chronic liar.

[directheatedtriode]

I have a white TKL 55g silent R2 on the way, I'll update what I think compared to stock 55g R2.

[foxtrap614]

I had a realforce 87u silenced and it was very quiet. Nice deep 'Thock' sound. I now own a HHKB series 3 classic. And I have to say they have defiantly improved the build quality. Since the type 2 is just this version but silenced I would recommend either one.

[DrJackman]

Just to add a bump here-- I've now typed on the Leopold FC6660c Silenced (owned board for 7 months before trading), HHKB stock 45g unsilenced, and a Realforce R2 PFU Limited (TKL Ivory) and I think the Realforce R2 pfu has the best sound and feel of all the boards so far.  It is incredible to type on, the keypress seems undampened but is very quiet (with that nice touch of Topre rain-drop thonk), and if you enjoy gaming (like me) the APC feature actually makes the board feasible for FPS / RTS games, too.  I've actually replaced using my custom linear board while gaming with this R2 PFU.  Hope this insight is a little helpful for anyone finding this thread.

[mobileb]

Curious how you compare the FC660C versus HHKB. I have the opposite. HHKB Type S but unsilenced FC660C. I actually liked the typing feel of the FC660C much better. But prefer the layout of the HHKB. I was thinking about getting a silenced version of the FC660C.

[Polymer]

I love the sound of an unsilenced HHKB2...

Thocking ploppy raindrops....so good...

[Riverman]

How does an unsilenced HHKB compare to an unsilenced Realforce?  The HHKB doesn't have a plate, does it?  The HHKB is the one Topre I've never had the pleasure of using.  I didn't think an unsilenced R1 Realforce was too bad, but a stock RGB and a stock Type Heaven were a little too clacky for me.  They're both great with Silence-X rings, though.  I had a factory silenced R1 Realforce, and as nice as it was, it bordered on being too boring.  I also didn't like the variable weight, since I don't tend to use my pinkies to actually type anything.

[Polymer]

How does an unsilenced HHKB compare to an unsilenced Realforce?  The HHKB doesn't have a plate, does it?  The HHKB is the one Topre I've never had the pleasure of using.  I didn't think an unsilenced R1 Realforce was too bad, but a stock RGB and a stock Type Heaven were a little too clacky for me.  They're both great with Silence-X rings, though.  I had a factory silenced R1 Realforce, and as nice as it was, it bordered on being too boring.  I also didn't like the variable weight, since I don't tend to use my pinkies to actually type anything.

I don't have an unsilenced R2..but I have both unsilenced R1/HHKB...

HHKB is a bit less clacky, IMO...more thock...more raindrop noise (plop) rather than clank.  More organic and warm feeling than the RF....It also seems to feel more solid but I'm not sure why or how that makes any sense...

Pure thockiness goes to the HHKB2..just way too good overall...the stock unsilenced is probably my favorite sounding keyboard...

[directheatedtriode]

How does an unsilenced HHKB compare to an unsilenced Realforce?  The HHKB doesn't have a plate, does it?  The HHKB is the one Topre I've never had the pleasure of using.  I didn't think an unsilenced R1 Realforce was too bad, but a stock RGB and a stock Type Heaven were a little too clacky for me.  They're both great with Silence-X rings, though.  I had a factory silenced R1 Realforce, and as nice as it was, it bordered on being too boring.  I also didn't like the variable weight, since I don't tend to use my pinkies to actually type anything.

I don't have an unsilenced R2..but I have both unsilenced R1/HHKB...

HHKB is a bit less clacky, IMO...more thock...more raindrop noise (plop) rather than clank.  More organic and warm feeling than the RF....It also seems to feel more solid but I'm not sure why or how that makes any sense...

Pure thockiness goes to the HHKB2..just way too good overall...the stock unsilenced is probably my favorite sounding keyboard...

On my bone stock HHKB2 the upstroke clack is a decent bit louder than on the 55g R2 non-silent. The R2 is much thockier/bassier overall. My only guess is this is because the case is so stiff compared to 87U and HHKB2.

I've had my R2 silenced for about a week (problems getting one from Japan with the COVID-19 situation), initial impression is I really like it. Sound is slightly thockier (and that means louder for people that need really quiet) than stock HHKB2 Type S. Silenced Topre means you hear scratchiness but the switches don't feel scratchy. I'm pleased to have this in my rotation even though I don't need a quiet keyboard for my office, the different sound compared to stock unsilenced R2 is nice.

If you need a travel keyboard that is quiet the HHKB Type S is excellent (need to make the spacebar quieter), it's about on the level of my Thinkpad keyboard in terms of noise level, which is to say pretty quiet. I just don't like using layer keys anymore (large hands, feel cramped making those hand positions) nor am I in a situation where I carry a keyboard with me.