| Switch Type: Tactile | Mount: Other | Spring: Single Stage | Price: £26.44 (35pcs) on XVX Keyboards |
| Top Housing: PC | Bottom Housing: Nylon | Stem: POM | Factory Lubed: Yes |
| Actuation Point (mm): | Customizable | Actuation Point (mm): | Customizable |
| Actuation Force (gf): | Customizable | Actuation Force (gf): | Customizable |
| Total Travel (mm): | 3.5 ± 0.2 | Total Travel (mm): | 3.61 |
| Peak Tactile Point (mm): | Peak Tactile Point (mm): | 2.09 | |
| Peak Tactile Force (gf): | 55 ± 5 | Peak Tactile Force (gf): | 52.4 |
| Reset Point (mm): | Customizable | Reset Point (mm): | Customizable |
| Bottom-out Force (gf): | Bottom-out Force (gf): | 32.5 | |
DISCLAIMER | Please Read:
These switches were sent by XVX Keyboards for review and testing purposes. No one paid me to write this review, and impartiality will always be a top priority here at KeebWorks.
TL;DR
If you’re someone who has been looking for a cheaper alternative or perhaps wanted to build a custom Topre keyboard, then these switches may be up your alley.
Smoothness: 9/10
On-centre keypresses are extremely smooth almost no scratchiness or inconsistencies at very slow keypresses.
Off-centre keypresses are very smooth with minimal scratchiness or inconsistencies at very slow keypresses.
Overall, these are top-tier switches! The Topre-like design is doing itself a lot of favours. So, if you don’t mind the mushiness that comes from Topre switches, then these may be for you.
Weighting: 9/10
Now, according to XVX Keyboards these switches have a customizable actuation force, a peak tactile force of 55g, and a total travel of 3.5mm.
XVX Whisper force curve.
As you can see from the force curve above, the XVX Whisper is on spec in all areas.
XVX Whisper consistency force curve.
As you can see above, the switches are noticeably inconsistent; especially towards the bottom of the travel.
XVX Whisper vs. Rubber dome (Logitech K120) force curve.
The force curve above shows the comparison between a rubber dome on the Logitech K120 and the XVX Whisper. The XVX switch has a lower peak tactile force, a longer travel, and a longer tactile bump.
XVX Whisper vs. Topre force curve.
The force curve above shows the comparison between the Topre and the XVX Whisper. Their weighting is similar to each other, especially in the downstroke. It’s quite obvious this is a Topre-clone, but built to meet a lower price point – and I think XVX has managed to do this.
XVX Whisper vs. XVX 10g spacebar springs force curve.
Overall, I like their weighting, but they haven’t been as consistent as I would’ve hoped. If XVX makes tweaks to improve their consistency issues, this has the potential to be a really successful switch!
Sound: 6/10
Much like Topre switches, these are very quiet. Although my spacebar (and the other stabilized keys) is VERY loud in comparison to the rest of the switches – I’m sure I’ve done something wrong, but can’t figure out what exactly.
The sound is unmistakenly a Topre switch – if you know, you know. The only difference here is that these switches are Topre clones.
Overall, I don’t mind how they sound, but I don’t like how much louder my stabilized keys are.
Typing Performance: 7/10
Just like rubber domes, they have a mushy key feel, but unlike rubber domes, the XVX Whisper is much more consistent to type on.
And while I do understand why people prefer these to cheap rubber domes, I don’t know why they prefer it over traditional mechanical switches. For the most part, these bring you a worse typing experience purely from the mushy key feel alone.
On the positive side of things, I liked how these are weighting out of the box. I haven’t made too many typos on them, which is a good sign a switch is to my preference and performing to my liking.
Overall, unless you need a switch for quietness, I’d stick with something like the Boba U4 or the Durock Silent Shrimp.
Gaming Performance: 7/10
While they’re a definite upgrade from cheap rubber domes, they aren’t necessarily better or worse for gaming when compared to traditional mechanical switches.
With that said, they performed really well in both fast and slow-paced games. They were smooth, consistent and presently tactile which made them predictable throughout my gaming sessions. Plus, they’re within my window of preference when it comes to weighting.
The only real downside they have is their mushy key feel. It’s much more obvious when playing slower-paced games, and is the number one reason I wouldn’t use them as a dedicated gaming switch.
Overall, they perform well in many gaming scenarios, but I wouldn’t pick these up if gaming is the only thing you’ll be doing with them.
Final Score = 38/50 (76%)
Places to purchase this switch:
XVX Keyboards | KeyBay Tech | Amazon