12 Alps Switches Sound Comparison on Three Keyboard

Welcome to one of the most comprehensive Alps switch sound tests on YouTube! In this video, I test 12 different Alps switches across 3 unique keyboards to bring you an in-depth sound comparison you won’t find anywhere else. All switches are soldered onto full keyboards for an accurate representation of each one’s true sound.

Switches Tested:
1. Alps SKCL Green – Linear
2. Alps SKCL Yellow – Linear
3. Alps SKCM Ivory – Damped Tactile
4. Alps SKCM Black – Tactile
5. Alps SKCM Orange – Tactile
6. Alps SKCM Salmon –Tactile
7. Alps SKCM Brown – Tactile
8. Alps.tw Type OA2 ( Alps four-tab clone ) – Clicky
9. Alps SKBM White ( Simplified Alps ) – Clicky
10. Alps SKCM White – Clicky
11. Alps SKCM Blue – Clicky
12. Alps SKCM Amber – Clicky

Gear & Setup:
ADK64 keyboard with Apple PBT Keycaps
Zenith Z150 with ZENITHal PCB
Tofu60 with Paladin64 PCB and Tai-Hao Cubic Alps keycaps

The sound tests were conducted using these keyboards with a controlled environment to ensure consistency across all tests. I also performed typing tests, slow bottom-out comparisons, and decibel meter readings with and without keycaps for a comprehensive understanding of each switch's noise levels.

Detailed Analysis:
At the end of the video, you’ll also see graph reviews comparing noise levels, average prices, and feedback force of each switch. The price data is averaged from Mechmarket listings between 2019 and 2024, giving you a sense of the current market value for each switch.

Switch Condition & Maintenance:
All switches are in 7/10 condition, cleaned gently (each part brushed), and tested without any modifications to preserve the original sound characteristics. Please note that these switches are used and old, so the sound may differ from a brand-new set, but this comparison gives you a reliable idea of what each switch sounds like in its current state.

Personal Insight:
This video has been a labor of love, several years in the making! It took a lot of time to track down non-working keyboards, desolder switches, and clean them to bring you this full comparison. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t cheap either 😛 But I thought it would be incredibly valuable to document and share this comparison of vintage Alps switches for those who appreciate the finer details of mechanical keyboards. Hope you find it useful and enjoyable!

Additional Details on Modifications:
For the Tofu60 keyboard, I made a small modification to fit the Paladin64 PCB and plate from the ADK64 inside. The only change I had to make was modifying the USB port opening at the back! All screw holes fit perfectly, so this change was minimal yet necessary for compatibility.