I did read and consider the rec from above (looks like a great option), but I need (my muscle memory needs) the del/end/home layout and location for gaming/work typing as I use them fairly regularly (I’ve been using the 96% layout for both for 3 days and I’m frustrated without those keys in their location with the spacial understanding my fingers have of where those keys live).
Thank you @HungerMechanic and @rambus1138 for the replies, that def helps. I’m not looking for silent. I work from home and my office is in my bedroom (no current partner to bother), so I’m not trying to factor sounds as much into the equation. That said, my adhd does get distracted if the keys are too “much”.
The full on clicky and some tactile switches cause me to twitch. But when I’m gaming I do appreciate some of the feedback I get from the tactile keys so I’m not gliding across keys and accidentally engage neighboring keys. I’m finding the keycaps might be the 2nd priority next to the layout for feel and sounds. I’m realizing that the switch/keycap combo really contributes to sounds/feel more so than I ever imagined 
My testing continues! I’m currently typing on the GMMK2 base with all silver switches and half OEM pudding keycaps and half MSA chonky keycaps to see if it’s the switch or the keycap that’s not quite rite. I have the other half of the keycaps in the other GMMK2 base with brown switches. My family thinks I’ve lost my mind.
I went ahead and bought the V6 (with the red linear switches so I can try out a 4th switch type) and Q6 based on what I’ve read here so I can plug different switches/keycaps in to test out what might work best on my preferred layout. And I have more keycap sets coming in today (who knew there were so many profiles).
Money is not a major factor (I know it seems like I’d want cheaper because of the corsair K55, but that was more about convenience of it just being around and working when my boring dell standard keyboard died). But I am trying to be responsible (saving to take my sons to Japan) and not go overboard out the gate, when I’ve been used to a subpar keyboard for so long anyway?
I’m still considering the M5, especially since I can also get that on sale for 20% off in April and that gives me more options in the future to expand this new addiction I accidentally stumbled into.
Stay tuned…
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Yes!! It happened to me as well. I was typing on an OEM Dell membrane board around this time two years ago. Now I own and have built 5 custom boards (not a lot compared to others I’ve heard).
About the M5, I love it for the sound. Its also an absolute brick and could be used as a weapon in a bad spot. Seriously though, its a great platform and you’re getting a lot for the money. I know of no other full size cnc aluminum board at that price point. It’s not hard to build, has pcb mounted stabilizers, all the foams and a polycarbonate plate that is nice on the fingers for long sessions.
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Honestly I think the M5 might be a down the road option. Lube/stabilizers/foam is overwhelming right now with all the switch/keycap/board research I’m already doing 
I have other options for weapons
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Your excitement about being able to customize is fully understandable! [Although so is your family’s incomprehension.]
Tactile switches do give varying levels of feedback, which is ergonomic. Not all tactiles are created equal, and that includes sound. Some of the quieter regular tactiles might be Durock Medium Tactile, SP Star Magic Girl (Dark), KTT Mallo, Gateron G Pro Brown 3.0, maybe Zealio V1R.
Most of those require some level of hand-lube for optimum sound.
You’ll want to avoid long-pole switches, if you’re trying to reduce distracting noise. The Aflion tactiles, like Blueberry Chiffon V2 and Aflion Melody are less offensive in that regard. In fact, you might want to sample a few, as the factory-lubed variants are pretty-much ready-to-go.
From what I’ve read, the Monsgeek boards are good for modders. The M-series may require more assembly than Keychrons. But they are tunable in terms of sound and such. I find their full-size to be very appealing.
You might also be interested in semi-dampened switches like Kailh BOX Mute Jade, TTC Bluish White, and Boba U4Tx. They have some dampening to reduce certain loud noises, but not completely. So they are quieter than non-silenced, but not as mushy as full-silenced.
In terms of keycaps, I find thick Cherry-profile PBT [even the cheapest] to produce less-distracting sounds. Another good option [with light-tactiles] might be DCS-profile, if you can get it. It is a deeper-sounding Cherry ABS. However, I find GMK and some other Cherry-profile ABS to be high-pitched and distracting.
Anyway, sounds like you’re doing the right thing, testing. You can pick up an M5 later. Maybe a simpler keyboard like the Alpha 108 is better for your needs, right now. It seems to come already-assembled. And replacing those stabilizers is not that difficult.
Perhaps the smart move is to pick up the M5, if you can get a discount price on it, and build it later. And use any other keyboard, including the Alpha 108, in the interim.
You may wish to pick up some SP Star switches [any kind], as they tend to be non-outrageous. Cannonkeys and Hippokeys offer switch sample packs:
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The Keychron V6 came today. I took out all the stock switches and keycaps and put in the Gateron G Silver Pros I’ve been playing with (I have the browns as I thought that’s what I’d really like, but I think the silvers are quieter). I also have a set of Double-Shot PBT keycaps (MSA profile) on and it seems decent.
1 small issue: I don’t think I like the southern LED. I have a set of pudding keycaps I thought I really liked, but the shine through legend is top oriented. So now I can’t read the letters at all. So - that’s a problem, especially since both keychrons and the M5 are all southern LED.
I def need the full size, I’m already happier and returning the 96% boards. The Q6 should be here this weekend. Now I’m really considering the Alpha 108 since it has northern LED, the light shining through the bottom row on the V6 is stupid bright.
I ordered the Kailh BOX Mute Jade (thanks @HungerMechanic for the rec).
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It’s less universal now, but Cherry profile keycaps don’t fit well on many switch housings when they’re installed north-facing. Since Cherry profile is well liked in the hobby, and shine-through keycaps less so, south-facing is the default for many enthusiast boards. You’ll need new keycaps to fully take advantage of shine-through, and there was a thread on here just the other about how limited the options are for getting good results with south-facing LEDs.
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Yes, it’s true. Pudding keycaps don’t do so great with south-facing LEDs.
But, as wjrii said, south-facing LEDs are more compatible with Cherry-profile keycaps.
The quality of most pudding keycaps is seen as lacking, in any case, usually being not as thick or having a good texture as compared with other keycaps.
On forums like this one, they’re just not prioritized, for better or for worse.
Glad that you found the Mute Jade interesting enough to order. They are not actually as tactile as the unmuted Jades, but that’s probably a good thing. They’re a more restrained switch, all-in-all.
It might be best to use the pudding keycaps with the Alpha 108, and anything else with the V6 / Q6. That might be the best of all worlds.
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If you’re ready to spend up, this is super nice.
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You could use this right on your desktop, with a mouse!
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ty for that.
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I think I’ve gone overboard - I’m now drowning in keyboard parts and more keyboard knowledge than I ever knew existed.
The Q6 pro and the jade switches came in this weekend, along with some more keycaps (2 more keycaps sets coming in this week). My dining room table now has 4 keyboard bases, 5 sets of switches, 9 sets of keycaps. 
I like the V6 better than the Q6 pro.
Cons of the Q6 pro:
- Doesn’t have files in QMK
- VIA won’t recognize the keyboard (can’t customize the keys or any RGB)
- The board also had a lot of flex/movement when putting in the switches
- No adjustable feet to raise the backend of the keyboard
The jade switches have introduce a new problem. I really like the feel of them but the audible click is a bit too much. I’m assuming that’s a me thing and I need to decide if I like the Gateron silvers (I don’t like the browns) or the Jades.
I currently have a mix of silvers and jades in the V6 with 3 different keycaps (for a total of 6 different looks/feels/sounds) since the keyboard plays a factor in the sound. I can’t upload a picture yet, but my adhd is on fire
I’m weary of ordering the Alpha 108, the company hasn’t been very responsive to my questions about color and now I have questions about software for configurations and weight. So I may stick with the V6 and just keep both sets of switches, decide on a keycap set and move on with my life.
I did find a Glorius 100% keyboard on eBay and have considered buying that one. The Glorious software is really beginner friendly and allows for easy rgb configuration at the key level without working knowledge of github (which I don’t have).
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Did you get the “Mute Jade” or just the Jade? The latter are notoriously, some would say delightfully 
, loud.
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Oh no, maybe I got the latter: Kailh Box Jade Switches for Mechanical Gaming Keyboard,3-Pin 50gf Clicky/lubed/Dust&Waterproof Switches(108Pcs,Kailh Box Jade)
Where do I get the mute ones? Did a quick search and not finding any Jade with “mute”.
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Sounds like you got literally the loudest broadly available clicky switch. As a final check, are the keycap stems actually a nice pastel jade green, or are they a good bit closer to gray? If they’re properly green, then they are not the mute jades you were discussing earlier up in the thread.
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Hahaha yeah I got the clicky ones. The mute ones on the link you provided (ty for that btw) show restocking Q4 2024.
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Novelkeys has worked with Kailh a long time on Box switches, and some of the more exotic variants can be hard to find new elsewhere, but maybe someone knows a source. I got nothin’ on a quick search of Amazon and AE. I gather some people bought them with mis-set expectations as to their sound and feel, so you might be able to get a good deal on them in the aftermarket.
Beyond that, I’ll let some of the other folks chime in on other quiet-ish switches with a nice, distinct tactile event. I fear my preferences run to the loud and/or the concerningly cheap.
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Oh dear.
As others have noted, looks as if you got the real BOX Jades.
They are actually awesome clicky switches, but they are the opposite of quiet! As you say, the Mute Jades don’t restock until Q4.
[The Mute Jades, I think will be less-tactile and more ‘soggy’ feeling, as they have dampening to tone them down.]
On the subject of keyboards, it’s very interesting that you like the V6 better.
I keep considering it, because it is light [and affordable.] I don’t like the idea of an alum. plate that it allegedly ships with. But I can make do, I guess.
If you already have a V6, I see no need at this time to go for the Alpha 108 [except for better RGB with transparent keycaps].
With light tactiles, an aluminium plate gives a sound that is an acquired taste. I prefer polycarb/POM, as they are deeper and less clangy. Hopefully yours came with some plates.
In terms of switches that are crisp like clickies, but not as loud, there are many options that are less-loud that BOX Jades.
Even the BOX Whites are a little quieter, the V1 were great. Basically the ‘MX Brown’ of clickies, without the overpowered click bar of the Jades and Navies.
But you’ll want something quieter than a pure clicky switch.
For crisp switches that are quieter than a clicky, the classic option was a Kailh Speed Copper. These are very controversial switches. Because they are basically an MX Brown, except the bump is right at the top and is crisp. So once it is depressed, it is a short linear journey towards bottom-out.
But if you could type on such light switches, they were very fast. But barely quieter than a clicky.
So you might look at something dampened or semi-dampened.
One of the closest tactiles to a clicky switch is the TTC Bluish White. I think it is dampened on the (down)stroke? A silicone-muted bottom, I think? It is very punchy, authoritative switch and is semi-quiet. There is something called the Silent Bluish White, that should be dampened on both upstroke and downstroke, that is still relatively crisp for a silent switch.
Another strong contender in that category are the U4Tx. They are U4T thock Boba, but partially-dampened. So they will give a crisp, loud bottom-out, but are muted on the upstroke. So they should be quieter than regular U4T, at least.
Then there are the actually-dampened switches that aren’t totally mushy. Like the Kailh Midnight Pro (tactile) and Kailh Deep Sea Whale. They are office-quiet, kind of snappy, but not completely mushy. The Whale is more tactile. (TTC Silent Brown V2 is a fairly-crisp top-mounted silent tactile, but is more relaxed and easygoing than those Kailh switches.)
The WS Silent Tactile and Zilent V2 are very snappy, even if they are somewhat mushy on the bottom. They are office-quiet and are generally pretty punchy.
Then there are the snappy, unsilenced light-tactiles. For example, the newer Gateron oil Mini I is barely more tactile than MX Brown. But it produces a very snappy and clean sound, and is very crisp, because it is a long-pole with smooth molds. The new WS Light Tactile is similar, but almost a medium-tactile.
If Gateron made a semi-silenced Baby Kangaroo, that would also fit your needs.
So it is best to maybe start with the TTC Blush White / Silent Bluish White, and maybe some U4Tx if you can pick up samples. Just about everything I mentioned above will give you a different experience from a regular Cherry tactile, and should be varying degrees of crispness and quietness.
Incidentally, I am typing on Zealio V1R with 14mm TX springs. If you use 60-62 G 14mm springs with these, they are like crisper, somewhat heavier MX Browns, these are almost ‘clicky’ in feel, and quieter than BOX Jades. They’re not nearly as quiet as the aforementioned Kailh and TTC dampened switches, however.
I used a Glorious TKL as a switch tester. It was good for that purpose. It was a barebones edition for like $38, several years ago.
If the 100% is anything like that TKL, then all it needs are replacement stabilizers, which is not hard.
You won’t get top-tier sound out of it or anything, but it is indeed easy to use.
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I’ve landed on the V6, with Gateron silvers (very quiet and creamy, just the spacebar has a bit of a thud) with a solid cherry profile PBT double shot keycap. The shine through/pudding keycaps ended up being too hard to read in lower level light regardless of light choice.
The cherry profile keycap is easier to type on than some of the thicker round tops and without the tactile click it helps me know when I leave a key.
Thanks for all the input!
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