Break-in period

[patrickgeekhack]

Do all keyboards require a break-in period? I'm tempted to say yes. All of my keyboards felt better after I have used them for a while. I'm starting to think the reason I find my Customizer to be relatively more stiff is because I have not used it for a long time, having bought my other keyboards shortly after I bought my Customizer. I think it makes sense. Each key in the Customizer uses a spring which technically should "loosen" the more they are used. I've also heard some people say that a well-used Topre sounds different from a brand new one.

[keyb_gr]

Number 1 rule of break-in: We humans adapt very well, so make sure the change hasn't taken place in this area.

I'd expect break-in periods to vary widely depending on the technology used. I can see it taking place for boards using rubber domes, especially when those are on an elastomer membrane, but for e.g MX black switches, it seems to take millions of actuations for any noticeable change in force.

[CX23882]

Certain audiophiles and guitarist believe interconnect cables need to be broken in.  I think the electrons don't care.

You've just opened a whole can of worms there. Oxygen free mains cables, spikes under speaker, pennies under speaker, removing all LEDs, aligning the amplifier with magnetic north, padded cells, straightjackets etc.

[o2dazone]

sounds like audiophiles needs straightjackets and padded walls

time to go buy a $240 keyboard

[GreeN]

Where's MythBusters when you need them?

[keyb_gr]

Certain audiophiles and guitarist believe interconnect cables need to be broken in.  I think the electrons don't care.

So do I. Break-in is generally restricted to mechanical parts - earpads most definitely, headphone or speaker drivers occasionally (strongly depending on construction). In terms of electronics, I could see it happen in electrolytic capacitors but semiconductors should only show warmup effects.

[patrickgeekhack]

Yeah, I'm with keyb_gr on this one.  99% of the change is in the user.

Therefore 1% of the change is real? :whoo:

The only change in the short term (less than 6 months) I do know for sure exist is in the key sliders (Filco squeaks often go away after use as the plastic molding artifacts wear and grease spread) and of course some surface shininess.  The others:  rubber domes, MX switches, BS springs take millions of activations.

In my opinions, rubber domes do become different after a while, but not all of them experience a change drastic enough for most users to notice. Heck, some users don't notice a difference between a rubber dome and a buckling spring keyboard. [/QUOTE]

[keyb_gr]

Heck, some users don't notice a difference between a rubber dome and a buckling spring keyboard.

Ouch. That reminds me of my first encounter with BS boards back at school, which involved a PS/ValuePoint system, a 486 VLB machine; I think these shipped with M2s. I was like 14 then and found the very heavy, clicky keyboard to be fairly weird (the system also was unusual in other ways). Of course I had no idea what it was at that point.

[Rajagra]

You've just opened a whole can of worms there. Oxygen free mains cables, spikes under speaker, pennies under speaker, removing all LEDs, aligning the amplifier with magnetic north, padded cells, straightjackets etc.

I had some AudioQuest BigFeet vibration damping feet lying around, so I put them under my DAS keyboard.
Not only did they put the keyboard at a nice angle and stop it from sliding around, but since then I haven't noticed any key-transposition errors.
Coincidence?


:crazy:

[patrickgeekhack]

Ouch. That reminds me of my first encounter with BS boards back at school, which involved a PS/ValuePoint system, a 486 VLB machine; I think these shipped with M2s. I was like 14 then and found the very heavy, clicky keyboard to be fairly weird (the system also was unusual in other ways). Of course I had no idea what it was at that point.

Funny how taste changes over the course of one's life, isn't? I had someone try my Customizer and then asked him if he did not think it was much better than a rubber dome. His answer: "Meh..."

[YpoCaramel]

Even though I tried the Das and Tactile Pro at J&R and loved the feel then, when I first got my M13 and Majestitouch Tactile I was a little underwhelmed. Sure they were a bit better than the rubber domes but that great? I also liked the M13 a lot more than the Filco. But after a few days I got around to appreciating the Filco's crispness. I very much doubt it was mechanical burn-in, I think it was just me.

[patrickgeekhack]

Even though I tried the Das and Tactile Pro at J&R and loved the feel then, when I first got my M13 and Majestitouch Tactile I was a little underwhelmed. Sure they were a bit better than the rubber domes but that great? I also liked the M13 a lot more than the Filco. But after a few days I got around to appreciating the Filco's crispness. I very much doubt it was mechanical burn-in, I think it was just me.

I don't doubt that a lot of the "change in feeling" is psychological. However, keyswitches involve friction whether they are mechanical or rubber domes. As such, there will be wear and tear on the various parts. They may be subtle, but they do change a bit the feel of the switches. A good analogy would be the presence of spices in some dishes. Most people won't really be conscious about their presence in the dishes, but would definitely notice their absence.

[YpoCaramel]

I don't doubt that a lot of the "change in feeling" is psychological. However, keyswitches involve friction whether they are mechanical or rubber domes. As such, there will be wear and tear on the various parts. They may be subtle, but they do change a bit the feel of the switches. A good analogy would be the presence of spices in some dishes. Most people won't really be conscious about their presence in the dishes, but would definitely notice their absence.

That's a good point, and yes, keyswitches are mechanical, unlike HDMI cables. I wouldn't have the expertise to tell, though.

[patrickgeekhack]

... I wouldn't have the expertise to tell, though.

Me either :-)