MM Studio Class80 keyboard review (Chosfox Arctic Fox switches)
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Skip to 9:42 and 10:08 for typing demonstrations.
Today we look at two things at once - the MM Studio Class80 keyboard kit, and the Chosfox Arctic Fox clickbar switch! Two birds with one stone and all that. hope you enjoy the video! :)
Intro by Kyle Carter
Outro by Facundo Cabanne
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a MM Studio Class80 keyboard right now. This is a very statisfying keyboard and very nice switches, I'm pleasantly surprised!"
![[UA] NAVI проти G2 Esports | Blast Premier Fall Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QWlIm4FGESQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm really liking the look of this keyboard! It reminds me of that MSX LGR reviewed years ago (it's the pencil holder). Although, $530 for everything is really steep. If I could get a prebuilt one for $340, then I might consider it. I will check out the Chosfox Artic Fox switches. They do sound really nice!
I decided to go with the arctic fox switches for my keyboard that I now use after seeing them mentioned by a few people as their favorite mx style clickies. I don't have any other clickbar switches to compare them to but I'm very happy with my choice, I've been having a blast typing on this thing and I also really like the sound profile it ended up with.
Is it MX style switch at this point anyway?
@@sir0herrbatka I guess they are significantly different in construction so I get what you mean. I mean more to distinguish from stuff like retro alps etc since most people would still consider those better probably.
@@empressoffrogs Nah. Clickbars are imho the kings of sharp but mild tactile feedback. If that's your thing (it is mine) i don't think you can find anything better in the whole Alps catalogue.
@@sir0herrbatka ah I see, I haven't really seen too much of the vintage keyboard world outside of this channel so I don't know too much about it. I do like the sharpness of these a lot.
@@empressoffrogs I've used Alps for years purely because there was nothing to satisfy that clicky desire of mine. All steam went into the linear switches and I really don't care about the clickjackets at all. In summary? Alps sound great (and I guess that's why thomas loves them so much) but are not objectively better in other areas to modern switches. There is bunch of subjective criteria that can make you prefer one switch over another like weighting or travel and I happen to prefer kailh offering currently.
Thank you so much for the review!
@7:25, wow, I did not see that kind of a sound coming 👌
total ASMR
I wonder how these compare to BOX V2 White. They appear to have a long spring in common.
that one hell of JUGGERNAUT keyboard
Would there be a market for a kind of Soarers "in-between" cable, but instead of modernising the connection to the pc, it just houses a solenoid, and has usb-c in and outs?
too much money, come on now. let's not ignore the price tag and what it actually is.
The machining of a giant chunk and also the parts the exstra parts that needs to be pre-assembled.
Seen 60s cost more.
I agree... Prices of those "DYI keyboard enthusiasts" sets are not only insane, they're also ridiculous. In most cases they're branded cheap Chinese OEMs.
Compared with most custom keyboard kits, it's actually very cheap. It's very expensive to manufacture parts with these materials without the benefit of mass production, so they're not making all that much profit even at that price. It's not designed to be a competitively priced product, it's designed for enthusiasts who will happily pay a lot of money for something they like the look of.
@@markippo It's apparent you aren't in the hobby enough to speak to this
Everyone is coping
job: your keyboard is too loud
me: i can make it louder
job: what?
next day: shows up with this keyboard with clicky switches, the beeper and the solenoid.
job: ... go back to your old keyboard.
"It's heavy as _fuck-"_
Is it tho?
**THUD.**
OOP. YEP, IT IS
Box Pink are my daily switches - I'd love to hear a comparison between them and these Chosfox Artic Fox switches.
imo box pink clickbar are super inconsistant with the sound, some are crispy and some muted
Arctic fox are better, my click bar ranking would have kailh summer, arctic fox, and the transparent jellyfish clicky in the top 3, then box white, white v2, box pink, then all the rest.
the newer kailh box switches have longer springs in my experience. Your assumption of higher tension from the springs may be correct.
Box white v2 are like that as well. Longer springs apparently make a difference.
The click bar and solenoid kinda clash. Wonder how it is with linears, or even damped linears. Adding a click where there is none.
Yea that's a good idea. Up voting so that he sees
From what I remember reading, a lower spring weight will increase the feeling of tactility, but if you go too low it might have trouble going back over the clickbar on the way up. It sounds like they found just the right balance with these switches.
I think the hotswap ISO option is actually not available to purchase, unlike your prototype. This is why I didn't get one.
The deepened sound of the switches is cause of the polycarbonate plate and the PE foam under the switches, both of which lower the pitch of the downstroke
The one man left who refuses to clickbait in 2022
I fucking hate clickbait xD .
Hi Thomas, I just bought an E-Yooso K630 low profile mechanical kb from Amazon for £23, I only bought it to harvest the switches but I was really impressed with the overall quality for such a low price, perhaps have a look at these sort of realistically priced keyboards. Cheers - Pete
a series on cheap keyboards would be great
there would be no merit in cheap keyboards as nearly all of them are the same; cheap doubleshot abs keycaps, plastic case, and cheap red switches.
I wish it was Chyrosfox instead of Chosfox.
Bruh that droptest was no bullshit. And for that price point you'd probably can get an Ellipse Model F and still have enough change for a Unicomp Mini M on the side probably. 😅
The typing sound though... mmm yummy. I'm really tempted to ask you to do another typing demo of this but with the ZealPC Clickiez instead. Did you try them on this chasis beforehand or nah? 🤔
I thought about doing it but then I thought of the chosfix switches.
The solenoid makes it sound like fake keyboard audio was dubbed over the typing footage.
Yeah. i'm going to buy this.
When hell freezes over or i win the lottery.
Whatever comes first 😛
that sound really good - maybe the best clickbar i have heard yet? also the red looks darker and less tacky than in the promo pics i have seen. noice!
I don’t like this clickbar switch but it could just be in the wrong build. Navy’s and jades are my favorite cllickbars
They changed the box pink switches at some point. The newer ones have a lighter return spring and a more vivid pink stem color, I've got a set of the newer switches, and a handful of some of the original ones, and definitely like the newer ones better. Although now that I know about them, I need to get a sample pack of the arctic fox switches.
It seems rather redundant to have an extra angle bracket key, unless of course it can be reassigned to something else.
What are Chosfox switches? They are named Kailh thus I assume they are just rebranded? Or are they somehow modified?
I honestly wish more keyboard kits and custom keyboards had top bezels. Ever since I got a Dell AT101 I just love pencil shelves, especially because I use a drawing tablet. Thats why my SGI Granite is easily my most artsy keyboard I own.
Since these switches click on the upstroke the typing demonstration with the solenoid sounded extra clicky. I'll be curious to see how the production version of Class80 will turn out.
If there is a combination of parts to make the keys much quieter then the solenoid would be more pronounced and serve a purpose.
@@LegoTux Silenced switches would do it if all you want are solenoid noises.
@@SageOwlbut silents are mushy defeating the point.
That solenoid sounds like a typewriter...
...and I now want one! XD
Surprised you went with the Arctic fox instead of the Clickiez to make bastardized modern take on an Alps board haha
I hear that kailh box switches are prone to damaging keycap stems either cracking them or making them loose. Even the supposed retooled switches still damage caps. Have any of you guys experienced such things? I've always wanted to try these clickbar switches but dont want to risk damaging my caps.
have a look at Thomas's box navy reviews, he addresses this. I think it's been fixed a while ago but don't take my word.
Wow I never thought the modified clicky Kailh Box switches could sound like Alps switches this is nice keyboard
@chyrosran22 Nice video! Can you also ask Asus to send you some keyboards with their ROG RX optical switches? They seem to be pretty smooth optical switches with a scissor stabilizer built into the switch. It'd be fantastic if they sent you both linear and clicky versions for review
That's an interesting idea, I'll drop them a line :) .
Not sure I would use it at work but these switches sound really good. I hope that's still true on a cheaper keyboard.
Interesting Video. I'm new to this hobby and am a serious clicky lover. Do you find foams take away something from these custom kits you build yourself? Also I have these Chosfox switches and am just not impressed. I would take Zeal Clickiez or Jades/Navys over these any day.
I actually do love the squishy plates for linear switches.
Steel is a bit much for hard typing.
Dampened switches also solve the problem even against absolute raging gamer mashing.
So this or the new model F?
Solenoid must be a thing in a modern retro themed keyboard. At least it should be a mountable aftermarket accessory
90% of modern enthusiasts probably never even touched a g80 in their lives, pc and fr4 plates just offer a different typing experience
I didn't know added beepers and solenoids just for aesthetics was a thing. Why? The clack from the switch and the secondary tick from the solenoid would completely throw me off and it did when you were typing. How strange. It also didn't remind me of typing on anything in my past, including an IBM selectric.
Your uploads always make my day better!
I wonder if this keyboard uses the same PCB as the NCR-80, the layout seems to be pretty close
In the class80 v2 review, i hope you get a brass plate and get rid of the thin pcb sheet as well. You can actually use the mid plate foam as the case foam, which doesn't dampen the case as much as the actual case foam, but still ptovide some stiffness against the gasket mount
That keyboard may be perfect for a "clicky" build if you just YEET all the included the dampeners, and just use ZealPC Clickiez.
It is a lovely keyboard, but cheaping out on cables is a weird choice.
Click bar, solenoid AND a buzzer!? The most anti social keyboard ever?
I miss foul mouth Chyrosran
If you've been a good little UA-camr, then maybe he'll leave some F-bombs for you under the tree this Christmas.
I was looking forward to hearing you type with that solenoid. I was disappointed, it sounds cheapy lol
May be, this keyboard will sound better with ZealPC Clickiez?
And just like that, I purchased the artic fox switches as well too. So far, my favorite are the clickiez, but god damn they're expensive. Prior, the box jades were my go to.
Please share your feedback with us.
can i please have this keyboard? ill give you £200 :D
I am a huge fan of TLK. This is quite interesting.
They probably bend the clickbar upwards
Very sick keyboard and great video man!
I think I figured out the "secret" of this switch's sound profile. The removable light-diffusing piece blocks a lot of high frequency energy from the clickbar.
I just received and have used and frankenmodded a batch of Arctic Foxes for personal use.
I can't remember how I *_first_* discovered them but it might have been this very video. Then I heard a whole bunch of demos and honestly couldn't tell if I loved or hated them. Every time I mentioned them to others I always specifically described them as sounding not good or bad but "crazy".
IMHO though, as far as I am concerned while I wouldn't say they sound very much like the Alps, they're basically my favourite _(coincidental?)_ Clickiez clone. I have noticed that in many recordings the Clickiez, as well as many _"they just don't make them like they used to"_ vintage switches have a very prominent hollow tone. As far as I can tell via said recordings anyway.
Now a month later, I still can't honestly say if I love or hate them; but I know I'd rather have them than anything else that I currently own on my keyboard, and I'm really glad I have them.
Oh yeah, on the Wooting two HE I didn't care attempt to bother with those cable routing clips, they seemed so inflexible like they would immediately break off. My one complaint about that keyboard.
>used to cherry keyboard build quality
I can guarantee you most people in the hobby have no idea what that actually feels like, the cheapest boards you can get are all generally floating switch designs w/ the mounting plate acting as the top case for the board. For most people buying modern production boards not aimed at an enthusiast a PCB mount plateless board is a novel experience.
Would have been a very nice board if it had a numpad instead of the nav cluster IMO
Sheesh 5 bills for this? Like it's cool looking and all, but holy crap that is WAY too much money for what is essentially another aluminum keyboard, albeit it is a proper shaped case.
Did you try out the Clickiez in this? I'm curious how they would sound in it if you took out all the dampening.
man this keyboard looks amazing
Have you tried the new V2 box whites?
i wish these folks would just sell their keyboards on Amazon and do away with all the GB junk. It takes forever and you're always wondering if your money is gone.
Gorgeous keyboard. If they come out with a plastic version I'd be interested. I can't stand the idea of weighted keyboards though. Intrigued by the Artic Fox switches. The dominance of 60% boards, weighted frames, and endless varieties of linear switches in keyboard reviews has distanced me from the hobby.
Woah. This quality keyboard in Famicom Red looks classy enough to reside in Emperor Palpatine's office.
Thank God this gorgeous piece of hardware doesn't have super keys, so I won't lose sleep over it :)
I have Speed Navy with 55g Slow V spring swap ready for it.
Alsoooo will lubing the the solenoid make it sound deeper. 🤔
Every time I hear BOX clickbars, I can’t help but be reminded of Space Invaders. Great switches either way.
Very cool board, although not for me. I like the layout, the quality and the sound, but it's too heavy and big. Great video, tho! And the switches are dope!
Does this have the"float" you mentioned with the box pinks?
No, they don't! Good point, actually!
Have you thought about looking at more kaihl choc switches? I really like their shortened travel for typing, like Alps.
This video makes me want to revisit clickbar switches. That might not work out as I was not much of a fan of the click on the up stroke but that was years ago.
It looks like a hybrid of Commodore 64 and Model M Spacesaver keyboard.
wow that looks really nice. Just started watching the video, I hope it has an USB hub
A Cherry MX switch with blue Alps sound? Nice!
Yeah the little suckers ain't that bad
I instantly loved it for the lack of Winkeys and the proper size Ctrl's and Alt's.
But why do you want fewer keys?
@@johnbuscher If you're a programmer you're constantly using Ctrl and Alt, the Windows key seldomly, and I don't think I've ever used the context menu key. The larger modifier keys with the gap between them makes using them more accurate and comfortable when touch-typing.
@@johnbuscher windows keys are IMO anti-useful and make the use of genuinely practical keys more difficult.
@@Chyrosran22 I prefer to use my mouse and click on Start then move my hand over the keyboard and start typing to search as well.
@@XoferifI'm a programmer and I use Windows key all the time. Most of the time it's Win to open start to search, then enter to quickly open programs. Often times it's for Win + E, Win + Shift + S, Win + D, Win + R, Win + arrow, etc for quick operations. So, it's definitely a must have for me along with arrow cluster.
i have a feeling that the ergo keyboard with the box white switches is going to be the upcoming swear waning video
ordered some arctic foxes for my keyhcron Q6, can't wait for them to arrive!
Looks retro nice and sound great w/o the solenoid. That price though...
10:08 - click heaven!
i wish this wider border/retro form factor was more widely available 😭
Those switches are EXTREMELY satisfying to listen to
Click bar + solenoid = yo dawg I heard you like clicks
Good video! Just to point out, the PE sheet is not made to dampen the switches, but rather to push the frequencies to the mids, creating a somewhat "creamy" sound in not clicky switches
it alters the sound profile via dampening
cope
It also makes the keyboard louder.
It makes the sound more "marbly" typically.
@@ChubiPanda no it does not lmao
First modern keyboard that I can at least have heard some of differences.
Solenoid on.
ISO with small left shift OH MY GOOOOOOODD!!
thanks to this video i discovered the chosfox switches and i am really satisfied with them having replaced by box pinks. they are much easier to type on and sounds more satisfying!
thank you for enjoying our switches
Love Chosfox Arctic Fox!! ❤
You told us it was 3.7 kg, but no conversion to imperial units. How will I ever know now. :(
596,774,194 Republican tears (thereabouts)
Given the average tear volume is 6.2 microliters, and using the density of water
It's way too expensive.
what do you think which sounds better razer optomechanical or click bar switches?
Very much an apples to oranges situation but anything razer, even optomechanical is trash tier compared to the keyboards and switches featured on this channel or others who build custom keyboards.
It looks pretty neat, but I can also see why some of the design choices are dubious at best.
the switches are very nice
Beautiful case design.
I'm guessing the secret sauce that they wouldn't disclose was that these switches are some flavour of combination of exiting Kailh switches. It's seems they may be close to Box Pinks with springs from box whites, I remember you doing this mod in your box pink review and really liking it. I really want to give these switches a go! They seem very promising!
I have Box White V2 and those. I can hear a difference between those two but i can't feel a difference.
@@sir0herrbatka Interesting, maybe the housing causes the difference in sound, or maybe the light bar present in the Chosfox switches. I ended up buying these for my recent build, I really like them, they feel and sound great, it's just a shame with them being so loud that I can't bring the board into the office! I'm gonna need to do a build with some quieter switches soon!
Good keyboard sounds
The solenoid sounds great!
ISO nice!❤
Nice one Thomas!