Most Crisp MX Blue Board

[Altis]

What I'm trying to find is which boards have the most crisp sounding and feeling MX Cherry Blue switches.

I have an MX Blue board already, the Razer Blackwidow 2012 (I know, I know... it was my first mechanical board), and I love the click, but it's like my keys sound kind of mushy... they also feel a little mushy.

This is the kind of thing I'm looking for:

It's as if the whole thing is tight as a drum. My RBW sounds like mush by comparison. The thing is, I went to the local store and tried the current BW and it sounded quite a bit better. Then they sound completely different when you click the sample keys on the ones that are still in their boxes... 

What I'd like to know is what keyboards tend to be like that, or what qualities they have to make them sound that way (mounting board, keycaps, etc).

I know I'm starting to sound like a keyboard junkie looking for the next fix...

Thanks for your help!

[tp4tissue]

it takes 10,000 key clicks to get the blues into ultra smooth mode...


the reason black widow is mushy is because the keycaps have poor tolerance, and the stems are not smooth..

Check out imsto thick pbt.. those have the smoothest cherry mx cap stems I've tried.

[jacobolus]

MX blue is just not a very crisp switch, in general. You might want to try a Model F, or if you prefer modular switches, SMK “monterey” blue alps-mount switches, clicky black Hi-Tek “space invaders”, or Alps or Matias clicky switches.

[Premonition]

I've tried several MX Blue boards, and found that Ducky boards were a bit squishy. The Quickfire TK I used was really crisp and sharp, though, maybe give that a try.

[Defect]

This gonna sound like a ****-ish answer but the most crisp MX blue is most things non-MX.

MX is linear by design and they were very clever in using a two part slider to create a click, but Alps, Matias, and Buckling Spring all do clicks better than MX can.

[Sniping]

MX blue is just not a very crisp switch, in general. You might want to try a Model F, or if you prefer modular switches, SMK “monterey” blue alps-mount switches, clicky black Hi-Tek “space invaders”, or Alps or Matias clicky switches.

My thoughts exactly. I think that Alps is a lot crispier than MX, and not just the rare switches. I also enjoyed using the Model F too.

[Lanx]

you want the best board? settle for an old school 1970's buckling spring, nothing comes close, but mx the is the easiest to design with in the modern era, so that's where you're stuck.

[Premonition]

Is it really this hard to answer some newb's question on this forum without degenerating into elitism? Come now.

[ideus]

It seems very easy for the people to get out of context. In this case MX Blue SW are the context. Why not try to answer the question within context?

[jacobolus]

Is it really this hard to answer some newb's question on this forum without degenerating into elitism? Come now.

Sorry, I’m not trying to be “elitist”, I just don’t think any Cherry MX switches are, objectively, very “crisp”.

It’s not like these other keyboards are so outrageously inaccessible either:

You can often find a good-condition used white Alps board on ebay for $25–35 shipped, or a Model F AT or SMK “monterey” blue board for, I dunno, $60–70? (Or less if you’re lucky/look around for a while.) Space invaders are rare to find, but usually not outrageously expensive.

If you want to stick to new keyboards, the Matias Tactile Pro isn’t really out of line with MX-based boards, price-wise.

* * *

If the OP is attached to MX blue switches, that’s totally fine, and I’m sure there are useful suggestions of particular MX cases and keycaps that will accentuate the sound. But if he’s really just looking for something “crisp”, then I think advice to explore other switches is entirely reasonable.

[dante]

During last holiday season I stopped into my local Fry's and test drove a CM Storm QFR and XT both with MX Blues ... both brand new (I took them out of the box) the XT felt much more crisp and satisfying to type on.  Probably the best MX Blue board I've ever tried.  Something was just off about the QFR ...

[Beca]

I feel like there are some variations with mx blue batches, even with the same keyboards. I remember reading a post complaining about mushy blues on their blackwidow, while their brother's blackwidow was much more crisper. I think that over time, the blue switches start to get a bit more quieter.

I have owned two mx blue keyboards, a Poker 2 and a Noppoo Choc Mini. I loved how crisp the Poker 2 sounded while my Noppoo just sounded all old and worn out. The Poker 2 is much higher quality imo, it has very solid construction and lacks the wobbliness/creakiness of the Noppoo case. My friend's QFR with blues sounds and feels extremely crisp.

I think what happens though, is that keyboards with thinner, abs keycaps tend to have a clickier, high pitched sound. Thick PBT or POM can make the same click sounds, but they have a nicer, deeper thock when the keycap bottoms out.

If you put a mat underneath your keyboard, it is most likely going to sound more muted as well. The bottom out sound will be softer so the clicks may sound louder in comparison.

One more thing to my rambling comment: videos are probably not ideal when comparing keyboard sounds. Microphones may capture only the higher pitched sounds and that's what makes it sound "crisper" in the video while in reality, it may not sound like that at all.

[noisyturtle]

I would say: buy a buckling spring board

If you really want blues, putting the board in a metal case adds some auditory enhancements.

[terrpn]

out of the 2 mx blues boards i own-- i would say both are somewhat mushy; 1 has costar, 1 has cherry stabs

mx greens (mine has costar stabs) if you are sticking to mx feel crisper to me

[lightsout714]

The blues on my quickfire feel nice and crisp. Funny thing is I prefer them with the stock abs caps. I have put thick pbt caps on two different boards with blues and didn't like the feel at all. Put  the "junk" caps back on and it feels great.

[remdell]

I've tried complicated white Alps, complicated blue Alps, space invaders, MX blues, MX greens, and several kinds of simplified white Alps.  MX greens, buckling springs, and clicky Alps seem to be quite up there in terms of crispiness.  Yet, for some reason, I find the simplified Alps switches (Alps.tw Type OA2) on my Macally MK96 to be the crispiest and crunchiest of the bunch.  I must be crazy.

[jacobolus]

I've tried complicated white Alps, complicated blue Alps, space invaders, MX blues, MX greens, and several kinds of simplified white Alps.  MX greens, buckling springs, and clicky Alps seem to be quite up there in terms of crispiness.  Yet, for some reason, I find the simplified Alps switches (Alps.tw Type OA2) on my Macally MK96 to be the crispiest and crunchiest of the bunch.  I must be crazy.

That’s possible. If you want really snappy, go for amber omrons.  They’re a bit stiffer than my preference, but they are very very clicky.

[Defect]

The blues on my quickfire feel nice and crisp. Funny thing is I prefer them with the stock abs caps. I have put thick pbt caps on two different boards with blues and didn't like the feel at all. Put  the "junk" caps back on and it feels great.

Thin ABS and thin PBT are my favorite for MX Blues.  Only time i like ABS haha

[Kayla]

This thread is painful to read.

If you want stiff blues get greens.
If you want a stiff keyboard key something sturdy and built with quality like a ducky or a poker; if you need more sturdiness splurge for aluminum.
If you want CRISP then the key material is a problem; if youre using ABS, PBT is much more of a solid experience. Although for some games I prefer the thin light ABS caps (like for osu!), for typing and most casual faming I prefer PBT and POM.

If you want to go thr extremeist route, then you can get an ALPS/BS/Whatever else was suggested in this thread route. MX Blue's tactility is better experienced on other things because it is but an emulation.

[Altis]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I should have been more specific about me. Not quite a noob as I'm now searching for my 9th keyboard

My KPT102 has KPT blue (similar to blue alps)... They are very tactile, to the point of being pretty heavy. The hollow plastic case makes it feel a little worse, which I hope to fix with a custom case.

It seems I'm not the only one to notice that MX blues seem to vary quite a bit between boards. It's just really difficult to find out that sounds and feels just right without first trying it. I'm hoping there are a few boards that are normally that way.

Might have to try the QFR as they don't stick Filco around here, and the price is quite good. It's a shame the Rapid is being phased out in favor of the Rapid-i, at a hefty premium.

[CPTBadAss]

I love these replies that start with "I don't want to sound like a **** or elitist." That's exactly how you sound if you preface your statement with that. If you want to give your opinion without sounding like that, maybe you should learn to phrase your replies in the manner that reflects the attitude you want to show.

Anyways, I compare all mx blues to the ones in my Filco. To me, those are what mx blues should feel like. They're crisp and clicky for blues, even two years of daily typing my board.

[Mooby]

I have tested blues on Filco MJ1 fullsize, MJ2 TKL and QF XT so far and can say I liked the feeling of the MJ2 best.

Maybe it's an option for you to put something under your keyboard for a little dampening effect. After I bought a leather base for my desk it changed how the switches feel (also blues) to the positive. This had way more effect  on the feel than the difference between different keyboards.

[Altis]

Yeah the mat underneath certainly helps with overall noise (mostly the deeper sound that resonates the desk top), but it doesn't help with the crunchy/mushy feeling of these keys.

Without being able to try a specific Filco, it'd be a little risky putting all that money at something that might be the same or only slightly better than what I have already. I would just want to be fairly certain that it will be crisp and tight.

[Mooby]

Get a used one. If you don't like it sell it.

[Lain1911]

The poker II gives me the enjoy my feels satisfying click with blues. Maybe it's a pbt thing?

[shantanujoshi]

Love when people try to give you unwanted random advice when all you asked was about crispy blues lolllls

Anyway just to throw in my input on your question. I've been swapping blues for a long time and actually posted on an issue very similar to yours recently - that crispy click I think comes from a combination of blue switches - thinner caps - and a hard base. My das ultimate is probably the 'crispiest' keyboard I've used. I tried to get thinner abs and pbt keycaps on a poker 2 and that really got me close to the das. The CMS quickfire rapid was somewhere inbetween the das and the poker 2 as far as crispiness. The Das 4 isn't as crisp imho to the old das.

TL;DR For me in order of crispiest blues I've used: DAS (3?) - DAS 4 - CMS Quickfire Rapid - Poker 2's with thin ass keycaps

Hope this helps! 

[calavera]

The presence of plate will affect the overall feel as well. Example: filco with plate vs. 1800 cherry without plate. Can't say which I like more as I've grown out of blues all together.
I'm having trouble understanding what the "crispiness" is refering to. The sound?

[lightsout714]

I don't think it can be a fair test comparing boards unless they have the same keycaps on. With blues more than any other switch (IMO) the caps seem to play a very large part in feel.

[terrpn]

The presence of plate will affect the overall feel as well. Example: filco with plate vs. 1800 cherry without plate. Can't say which I like more as I've grown out of blues all together.
I'm having trouble understanding what the "crispiness" is refering to. The sound?

right, i would say on my end not as crisp without a plate....

i was trying to stay on topic-- "mx" and then blues and not wander to other switches

i gotta get a filco

[Lammie]

Matias CLICKY switches! In between mx blue and mx green..Meaning, not too light, not too heavy/stiff. Just middle path. This is how the mx blue should have been... Or ghetto greens if you wanna stick with mx switches

[Pacifist]

model f is very crisp, you should try it and see if you like it

[Altis]

I don't think it can be a fair test comparing boards unless they have the same keycaps on. With blues more than any other switch (IMO) the caps seem to play a very large part in feel.

I think you're right. That's part of what I'm trying to figure out... Which factors make for the cleanest MX blue sound.

The link in my OP seems to be among the most clean/crisp/tight sounding MX Blue keyboard. I know recording devices and methods will affect it, but even in the store I've experienced so much variation.

As for the DAS, I have an MX Brown version of it. It might vary as well but it seems more rattly than my QFR (which has reds, though). The keycaps and plate/casing on my QFR seems the most solid (of my MX boards).

I'm thinking the Filco and CM boards might be the best bets for the most solid/crisp/tight sounding and feeling MX blue keyboards.

I appreciate all of your inputs!