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
104U - the white / grey board 104U-S - the white / grey board silenced 104UB - the black board 104UB-S - the black board silenced.
I recently bought the cheapest (new and unopened) UB-S off eBay for $310.00 US. I have a Cooler Master NovaTouch TKL with Topre switches, to which I applied an upstroke silencing mod. It's been my favorite keyboard for typing sessions, and gaming on it doesn't bother me at all. For so long, I've wanted a full 104 key version for my office, so I was delighted to find the 104UB-S on eBay. It's significantly quieter than any Cherry switch, and your hands will thank you for the variable actuation weights.
This is a pretty good price for both silenced models, especially the UB-S which is typically significantly more expensive than the U-S. You can find cheaper U-S models on eBay, but they all have upward of $60 shipping from Japan (to the US). All in all I'd say this drop is a win.This is a pretty good price for both silenced models, especially the black one. You can find cheaper 104U-S models on eBay, but they all have upward of $60 shipping from Japan.
All in all, I'd say this drop is a win.