Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
generally I prefer the steel plate with heavy switches (MX black, panda clears) and ALU case. I think acrylic plates look best with acrylic case or ALU case with light switches. There is a small impact on typing feel and a moderate effect on typing sound. In terms of purpose, the metal plate does the job better. It is heavier and sturdier and holds the switches in place. Acrylic plates are more for aesthetics, and I think they are wonderful with lighting. With caps on, it will be hard to see the plate, and the plate aesthetics only matter when lighting comes into play. http://imgur.com/lyFkJtn Potato pic I just took (I'm at work) of metal plate in acrylic case
For $40, I recommend thick steel. For $20, acrylic > thin metal. Just my personal opinions.