Yeah! It’s kinda neat. They all seem to have been made from the same molds, and the version from WS are listed as being manufactured by KeyGeek, so I suspect (but am not certain) that they are the OEM for all of the different 🎱 switches
Was genuinely hoping you got these in your hands so I could hear your thoughts. I actually really loved that sound test! I love the more mid pitch/tone you seem to get out of these on the Alu. Makes me wish I had a unicorn. 🦄
Just started using these and I agree that the sound is loud and will not be to everyone's taste. I would have assumed they would have gone for a pretty generic sound that didn't really draw attention to itself so as to make the _feel_ of the switch the star of the show, but yea, no. It is still undoubtedly an amazing switch though, and a must try.
100% agree. ThereminGoat goes into great detail in his review on Ball Bearing switches about the shape of the stem pole and how it likely contributes to the sound of the bottom out. - might be worth a read if you haven’t seen it already. I really hope that we see other manufacturers make their own versions utilizing the balls. The push feel is so distinctive.
I'm really curious to know how these switches would perform with stabilized keycaps, but without using the actual stabs. I've started using my Alice keyboards without stabs and using HMX switches because of their stability. Works pretty well to be honest 😂. I wonder if these switches would work even better since they have virtually no stem wobble
@@keebscape In my experience it works pretty much perfectly on the 2U and 2.25U keys. It's not bad on the 2.75U spacebar, but it's doesn't sound as tight since that keycap is quite large and hollow. I fill up the holes, where the stabs normally would sit, with a certain type of packaging foam I have to prevent those keys from sounding hollow and give them more kick to the sound. I haven't had the best of luck tuning stabs and this works pretty well and is very consistent. I probably won't go back any time soon hahaha. I'd love to know what your findings are with using the WS Pearl switches that way!
Oh that’s tough haha Typing feel I think it has to go to the Gateron Weightlessness tactiles. They have a sharp and short bump super early in the keystroke, but have a really light spring. It makes for a light feeling but noticeable bump right at the start, before a mostly linear feel after the first millimeter or so of travel Sound wise, it’s either between vintage cherry blacks or Kailh BCPs. It’s not for everyone, but I love that faint scratchy sound they have. I think it really adds a nice touch between the bottom out and topping out collisions.
Do you think these have any room for changing the sound by lubing? The 0 stem wobble is convincing but usually I prefer creamy and thocky switches, so wondering if I could make these a liiiiittle bit fuller sounding with lube even tho the smoothness doesn't need improving
@@rappersorbee I’d be hesitant to suggest lubing the balls/stem sliders. But you could definitely lower the pitch to make it thock with a little brush of lube on the bottom of the pole!
@@keebscape think I'll pick these up then! Was going for the ice kachangs but I like weird switches, last one I got were the TTC Neptune and while overall I'm not a huge fan just cause the sound is kinda boring the stability was cool for sure, so hopefully Balls will be up my alley.
@@rappersorbee oooo nice! I should be getting some Ice Kachangs in soon that I plan to make a review of. The TTC Neptunes are wild switches! I agree that the sound is ehh but overall, it's a pretty neat switch! I hope you enjoys the balls!
The bottom out feel doesn’t stand out too much. They feel similar to other 3.5mm travel long poles. What feels unique is the keystroke itself, not the housing collisions. If you slowly press down a normal switch, you can kind of feel the friction between the stem and the housings. That feeling is largely absent on these
Balls
Balls
Balls
Balls
"Just by looking at you I can tell you gotta tiny weiner and some tiny nutz." Or in this case tiny balls.
Balls
I never thought I'd see the ball-bearing thing pop off. Really cool to see how each manufacturer has their own take on it!
Yeah! It’s kinda neat. They all seem to have been made from the same molds, and the version from WS are listed as being manufactured by KeyGeek, so I suspect (but am not certain) that they are the OEM for all of the different 🎱 switches
its good to see new stuff coming to the market.
Was genuinely hoping you got these in your hands so I could hear your thoughts. I actually really loved that sound test! I love the more mid pitch/tone you seem to get out of these on the Alu. Makes me wish I had a unicorn. 🦄
Thanks homie, that means a lot 🫶
@@keebscape No problem! Can’t wait for Kronos!
Just started using these and I agree that the sound is loud and will not be to everyone's taste. I would have assumed they would have gone for a pretty generic sound that didn't really draw attention to itself so as to make the _feel_ of the switch the star of the show, but yea, no. It is still undoubtedly an amazing switch though, and a must try.
100% agree. ThereminGoat goes into great detail in his review on Ball Bearing switches about the shape of the stem pole and how it likely contributes to the sound of the bottom out. - might be worth a read if you haven’t seen it already. I really hope that we see other manufacturers make their own versions utilizing the balls. The push feel is so distinctive.
I'm really curious to know how these switches would perform with stabilized keycaps, but without using the actual stabs. I've started using my Alice keyboards without stabs and using HMX switches because of their stability. Works pretty well to be honest 😂. I wonder if these switches would work even better since they have virtually no stem wobble
Ohhhh interesting! I have friends that swear by not using stabs on 2U keys. Maybe I’ll experiment!
@@keebscape In my experience it works pretty much perfectly on the 2U and 2.25U keys. It's not bad on the 2.75U spacebar, but it's doesn't sound as tight since that keycap is quite large and hollow. I fill up the holes, where the stabs normally would sit, with a certain type of packaging foam I have to prevent those keys from sounding hollow and give them more kick to the sound. I haven't had the best of luck tuning stabs and this works pretty well and is very consistent. I probably won't go back any time soon hahaha.
I'd love to know what your findings are with using the WS Pearl switches that way!
BALLS?? IN THE STEM?? IN THE HOUSING?? ON PRIDE MONTH??
thanks for the reference bcp/xinhai comparison, gives us a better point of reference
I gotchu 🫡
curious with all the switches you have tried, if you have to choose one for each category: typing feel and soundwise, what would you pick?
Oh that’s tough haha
Typing feel I think it has to go to the Gateron Weightlessness tactiles. They have a sharp and short bump super early in the keystroke, but have a really light spring. It makes for a light feeling but noticeable bump right at the start, before a mostly linear feel after the first millimeter or so of travel
Sound wise, it’s either between vintage cherry blacks or Kailh BCPs. It’s not for everyone, but I love that faint scratchy sound they have. I think it really adds a nice touch between the bottom out and topping out collisions.
This isn't just clacky, it's deep and *clocky*
🕰️y
😁
Do you think these have any room for changing the sound by lubing?
The 0 stem wobble is convincing but usually I prefer creamy and thocky switches, so wondering if I could make these a liiiiittle bit fuller sounding with lube even tho the smoothness doesn't need improving
@@rappersorbee I’d be hesitant to suggest lubing the balls/stem sliders. But you could definitely lower the pitch to make it thock with a little brush of lube on the bottom of the pole!
@@keebscape think I'll pick these up then! Was going for the ice kachangs but I like weird switches, last one I got were the TTC Neptune and while overall I'm not a huge fan just cause the sound is kinda boring the stability was cool for sure, so hopefully Balls will be up my alley.
@@rappersorbee oooo nice! I should be getting some Ice Kachangs in soon that I plan to make a review of. The TTC Neptunes are wild switches! I agree that the sound is ehh but overall, it's a pretty neat switch!
I hope you enjoys the balls!
Do they feel similar to log poles due to the short travel distance or does the bottom out feel truly unique.
The bottom out feel doesn’t stand out too much. They feel similar to other 3.5mm travel long poles. What feels unique is the keystroke itself, not the housing collisions. If you slowly press down a normal switch, you can kind of feel the friction between the stem and the housings. That feeling is largely absent on these
Do you still need to lube the springs?
Nope
these switches just like me fr fr 😈
BALLZ
balls
SO CLACKY I HATE IT
Balls
Balls