Question for those with Romer-G switch-based keyboards

I know there's only 2 or 3 keyboards with these switches (G910, 810, and maybe 410?). But the 810 is new and I don't expect many to have it at this point.

I'm coming from what I believe to be a scissor switch keyboard (Logitech K740), and I knew there would be an adjustment. I also know that mechanical switches are simply going to be louder. The key click is actually satisfying and doesn't bother me in the least bit, but there is something that does. There's a metal-esque sound that I get while typing even remotely quickly, like aluminum reverberating. I know there's a metal plate in this keyboard. Is this typical? It's more easily audible in a quiet room, so this isn't something that I would notice in a store environment when testing these at BB or Fry's. The sound doesn't show up on any Youtube key sound test I've heard so far.

It's typical on my Cherry blues and browns.

Are you bottoming out your keys when you type? (Pressing fully down)

NixZiZ said:

It's typical on my Cherry blues and browns.

Are you bottoming out your keys when you type? (Pressing fully down)

Click to expand...

At first I definitely was. I'm trying to ease up on that but it's a difficult habit to break so quickly. Even with slower presses I get the sound. I'm hoping to go to Fry's today and play with a few different switches and see if I can hear it better now that I know what to listen for. If I decide that I like something better, I'll return the Logitech and go with the alternative.

Played with a Cherry Brown and a Cherry Red Corsair Strafe RGB. Same issue (the Strafe and G810 both have an internal metal plate). The el cheapo keyboards didn't have this "problem." I suppose I could potentially mitigate the issue if I went with a Cherry MX keyboard and some o-rings. But, I like the Logitech better after spending some quality time (an hour) using the competition. Romer-G feels like the MX Browns, but "better" (subjective). Also, they don't wobble (central stem vs. square bracket), and the keys on the G810 feel higher quality than those of the Strafe.

The only Cherry MX keyboard I'd consider is the Ducky One, which has similar design considerations to the G810. The 810 has elegant RGB lighting, and after I sell the pack-in game, should cost me about the same as or marginally more than the Ducky. So after the feedback on these forums across 3 threads (a sincere thanks to all involved), and hands on, I'll stick with the G810.

I did an RMA through Newegg. To be clear, it's not the keys doing this, and bottoming out vs. not bottoming out has no effect. It's ping from the internal metal plate, and it happens if I tap the keyboard (not the keys) as well. It seems that this is a possible yet uncommon occurrence with many plate-mounted switches, and that like the panel lottery in monitors there's a quality lottery with plate-mounted keyboards. If I were to do an exchange I would likely fare better, but they're sold out damn near everywhere.

So, I'm returning the G810 for refund. I'll see if something else catches my interest, and if not, buy another G810 when in stock.

There is a metallic click that's found in Cherry MX Blue and Green switches, or similar switches such as the Romer G's. There is a different noise that you get when you bottom out keys on a keyboard with plate mounted switches. Variances in the key cap materials even change the sound of the keyboard as well. I'm not sure what you are hearing, but I can't imagine it would be anything other than the sound the switches make while actuating them, or hitting the plate as others suggested.

The actuation sound eclipses every other sound on every mechanical keyboard I've ever used. Romer-G switches are supposedly close to Cherry MX Browns... I think. They're not considered loud for mechanical switches. Cherry MX Blues are much louder, like super loud. I have a MX Blue keyboard and using it is loud enough to require you to talk louder to be heard over them.

If you like Logitech keyboards I recommend something like the G105, which uses membrane switches that are nearly inaudible. The Razer Darkstalker also uses membrane switches but uses shallow chicklet-style keys, it seems like that might not be what you want.

Dan_D said:

There is a metallic click that's found in Cherry MX Blue and Green switches, or similar switches such as the Romer G's. There is a different noise that you get when you bottom out keys on a keyboard with plate mounted switches. Variances in the key cap materials even change the sound of the keyboard as well. I'm not sure what you are hearing, but I can't imagine it would be anything other than the sound the switches make while actuating them, or hitting the plate as others suggested.

Click to expand...

The sound occurs from tapping the keyboard as well. No key press or actuation needed. And the sound is beyond annoying, louder than even bottoming out the keys. From the desk it sounds like metallic vibrations. But from upstairs it sounds like someone is downstairs banging on a hollow barrel. It's pretty bad. Sounds like the metal plate on the inside is loose and vibrating more than it should.