Author Topic: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards  (Read 3970 times)

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Offline klennkellon

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Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« on: Sat, 06 August 2016, 23:49:57 »
Post what switches have the best sound, they don't have to be strictly clicky either!

Sound example is recommended but not required!


Best:

SKCM Blue ALPS:



Worst:

Most rubber domes
« Last Edit: Sat, 06 August 2016, 23:59:20 by klennkellon »

Offline emdude

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 06 August 2016, 23:56:27 »
I've noted this in the Alps Appreciation thread, but the acoustics of Alps switches seem to be pretty dependent on the boards their in.  SKCM Blues sound great in larger boards, not so much in smaller ones.

That said, I am quite in love with the sound tactile/non-clicky Alps make when they bottom out.  Beam spring switches sound wonderful, almost like rain drops.

Worst-sounding switch is, by far, Cherry MX Blue, the sound of plastic hitting plastic is not pleasant at all.  Do not like switches that are overly pingy either.
Current drivers: IBM Model M SSK

Offline klennkellon

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 06 August 2016, 23:58:50 »
I agree MX Blues are annoying, if the pitch of the click was the same but quieter it would be like a baby monterey.

I actually enjoy the sound of non clicky MX switches, they have a very light and delicate sound.

Offline itzmeluigi

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 07 August 2016, 00:25:35 »
Best:

Kingsaver SKCL Green
More


Kingsaver SKCM Blue
More


Kingsaver SKCM Black
More


Kingsaver SKCM Salmon
More


Wang 725 SKCM Green
More


IBM 5576-002 Alps plate spring
More


HHKB
More


Realforce
More



Worst:

IBM Model M
More


Kishsaver
More


Rantopad MXX Gateron Blue
More
« Last Edit: Sun, 07 August 2016, 00:33:49 by itzmeluigi »

Offline emdude

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 07 August 2016, 00:43:30 »
-snip-

I understand you are partial to Kingsavers, but why must their switches be mounted in one to sound good? :P

EDIT: I realize now that the topic does include best-sounding keyboards so I suppose your selections are perfectly valid.

EDIT 2: In that case, I also select the IBM Model M as one of the best sounding keyboards, I love the clackiness of membrane buckling springs.  I think that the very slight ping present is moderate enough to add some liveliness to the board without being overwhelmingly annoying.
« Last Edit: Sun, 07 August 2016, 00:53:22 by emdude »
Current drivers: IBM Model M SSK

Offline klennkellon

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 07 August 2016, 01:44:44 »
Yes, The Model M sounds lovely. For all of its weaknesses compared to the much better F it is much more elegant looking and sounding. It has a good balance of slightly intimidating looking and sleek.


Offline rowdy

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 07 August 2016, 02:31:13 »
Best:

Kingsaver SKCL Green
More


Kingsaver SKCM Blue
More


Kingsaver SKCM Black
More


Kingsaver SKCM Salmon
More


Wang 725 SKCM Green
More


IBM 5576-002 Alps plate spring
More


HHKB
More


Realforce
More



Worst:

IBM Model M
More


Kishsaver
More


Rantopad MXX Gateron Blue
More


I just listened to (nearly) all of those at the same time ;D
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline chyros

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 07 August 2016, 04:37:47 »
Best; all Alps, including non-SKCL/SKCM, but especially SKCM blue. Honourable mention to the models F and M.

Worst; probably the Amstrads I have. Honourable mention; MX blue.
Check my keyboard video reviews:


Offline DALExSNAIL

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Re: Best and worst sounding switches/keyboards
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 07 August 2016, 16:14:36 »
https://youtu.be/fz5zcRogFfg

This combo of things