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
And honestly, the value of the Vortex PBT Backlit keycaps is probably better than these. It would likely only be a matter of preference over the aesthetics and how willing you are to pay for it! For me, the texture of the keycap (a little less rough than either the Vortex or DSA), the thickness, and the front printed legends (quite legible as you can see in the picture) are what would make me think buying a set of these keys is worth it over any other comparable PBTs. But, alas, that is only my preference!
My keyboard is the Varmilo VB87M Cherry MX Black, with white case, keycaps, and LEDs; perhaps, the sheer amount of white lends to the visibility of the legends haha