Switch Round-up and Soundcheck
The heart of this review will be a small comparison test between some of the available switches for the SGK50 S4 in addition to the usual practical test with the pre-assembled red Kailh switches.
I summarize my impressions of the tested switches below and attach the usual sound files. In the descriptions, I will primarily compare the switches to the corresponding Cherry MX switches, which are still generally considered the “reference” for most users.
Kailh Red
The pre-assembled red Kailh switches are good (see practical test on the previous page), but they fall a bit in comparison to the BOX version from the same company. They are very close to the red Cherries in terms of feel, but they are no longer the reference for me personally. Some competitors, which were initially seen as a cheap imitation of the original Cherry MX switches, have done their homework and developed the proven concept further. For example, the FOX switches from Glorious with their significantly better lubrication are considerably smoother and run the Cherries in my opinion now quite the rank.
Normal typing
5xSpace 5xBackspace 5xEnter
Rabid ESC
Geteron PRO Milky Yellow
Practically between the two mentioned the new Gateron PRO Milky Yellow sorts itself in – it is again somewhat smoother than the red Kailh and lies with 2,0mm stop and 50g release weight quite approximately between the red and the black Cherry MX. It would probably be my switch of choice in the SGK50 S4 for pure gaming scenarios.
Normal typing
5xSpace 5xBackspace 5xEnter
Rabid ESC
Kailh BOX Brown
The brown BOX switch from Kailh is neither fish nor fowl and thus a similar disappointment as the brown Cherry MX. There is practically no tactile “bump” and apart from the better stability of the BOX switches, it will probably have a similar niche existence as the brown Cherry.
Normal typing
5xSpace 5xBackspace 5xEnter
Rabid ESC
Kailh BOX White
In that case, the frequent typists should rather go for the white BOX switch, which surprised me quite a bit in contrast to the brown one and really thrilled me. It can be typed a bit “lighter” and also “faster” than the Cherry MX Blue with a 1.8mm stroke and 45g release weight. Thus, it is less tiring and even if the “typewriter” feeling is somewhat lost, it could establish itself as the new reference for typing for me personally. In the small S4, the clicky sound comes across a bit hollow and high-frequency, but clicky switches are always a bit difficult anyway. They are a bit quieter to my ears than the blue Cherries, but I was still forbidden to use them to type longer texts in the living room in the evening. Overall, I really liked these switches and they would definitely be my first choice in a world where you didn’t have to be considerate. Maybe I’ll take them with me to the upcoming keyboard test, which is also imminent.
Normal typing
5xSpace 5xBackspace 5xEnter
Rabid ESC
Interim summary
Finally, as always, it must be said that the choice of styli is and remains a very personal matter. As a tester, you can only convey the impressions you gained during testing and try to pass them on as objectively as possible. However, the principle “linear for gaming, tactile for typing” still applies to me, and if you are honest, some manufacturers have long since overtaken the tried and tested Cherry switches.
I got stuck with the white BOX Switches at the end of the test and fitted them with white PBT double-shot keycaps with silicone rings. It will look like this:
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