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
The only place I could find GMK Dolch was on Originative Co. , who sells a full set for $180. Before shipping.
On the other hand, KBDFans sells Maxkey SA Dolch for $75. (TaoBao storfront) Since I live in Hong Kong, shipping raises the total by a mere $5 to $80, less than half the price of the GMK set.
I think I’ll be going SA if my parents ever give me the green light (which is probably never), since it’s way cheaper and I like the centred legends more.
But what am I missing out by chosing SA over GMK? What are the differences in feel and quality between GMK caps and Maxkeys SA? I understand that my experience will vary from yours, but I’d like to hear about your as-detailed-as possible comparison/description of SA and GMK so I have a better idea of how the two may compare.