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
I thought that would be my endgame keyboard, but while smooth, the feel was just a bit too light for my taste. And I‘m a huge fan of Cherry Browns. There just didn’t seem to be enough of a distinct tactile bump to them.
Then a short while ago, I got a different keyboard from Massdrop, but chose the 67g Zelios.
Crazy thing is that between the two, the 67g now felt too much on the heavy side. Almost like a crisper version of Cherry Clears, but with a more precise action and a more defined and distinct tactile bump.
The difference in the two Zelios was huge, belying the mere 2g difference in the spec.
Do others have the same experience? I wonder if the feel of the 65g has firmed up since the changes after R1.
I’d like to explore the Zilents, but my experience with both the 65g and 67g Zelios has revealed that neither quite hit the sweet spot for me.
Thanks.
Edit: I went to the website and saw that the 65g have a smooth, long, drawn out bump, where the 62g have a more tactile bump.
As I was thinking the 65g not tactile enough, I may try the 62g, as they are more tactile and also a bit heavier than Cherry Browns, which I like.
So it does seem the different models have different characteristics in addition to just weight.
My set was from R1. Those were the Zelios offered with the the Whitefox keyboard kit the very first time it dropped.
Yeah, they were a lot lighter than I expected. Smooth, but even less of a tactile bump than Cherry Browns, IMO.
I wonder how they feel now. The reported inconsistency is frustrating. We just don’t know what we’ll get.