WTF?! Additional DACs normally come as inside sound playing cards for desktop PCs or as exterior equipment, however one firm has put in them right into a mechanical keyboard. Alongside different elements, the end result guarantees a high-quality audio expertise inside a compact product.
Audio vendor Fiio not too long ago unveiled a mechanical keyboard with onboard sound chips and operational amplifiers to offer enhanced audio with out occupying additional desk area. Packaging the gear in an RGB mechanical keyboard apparently goals the product at avid gamers looking for higher sound, however the firm says it additionally improves voice calls.
The sound setup consists of two Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs and two low-noise SG Micro SGM8268 op-amps, promising a 550 mW output, which Fiio says is similar to some desktop sound playing cards. The decoder helps 32bit 384kHz PCM sound and DSD256.
The HiFi Audio Mechanical Keyboard KB3 additionally helps headphones by together with two jacks. The only-ended 3.5mm jack provides 170 mW in every channel, whereas the 4.4mm balanced port reaches the total 550 mW. Each jacks and the 122 dB signal-to-noise ratio are at 32 Ohms. Customers management quantity by way of a step-less knob on the top-right fringe of the keyboard.
Not resting on its distinctive benefit, Fiio’s machine additionally contains many different specs mechanical keyboard lovers would anticipate. The 1.06kg, 329mm x 140mm x 43.5 mm unit makes use of a gasket mount design and has a 75 % structure with 81 hot-swappable keys.
For $149.99, the usual package deal ships with Gateron G Professional 3.0 yellow switches with clear RGB caps and 15.4mm springs. In response to Fiio, the keys have 4mm max journey with 2.0 to 0.6mm pre-travel. Operation pressure is 50g with 67g of bottom-out pressure. The corporate guarantees a lifetime of as much as 100 million cycles.
Alternatively, a keyless version is accessible for customers who deliver customized keys, although the pricing is unclear. Prospects who solely need Fiio’s mechanical keyboard with out the audio chips or headphone jacks should purchase the $129.99 wi-fi version. Battery life for that variant lasts round 18 hours with the RGB lights continuously on, 500 hours with out RGB, and at the very least 2,000 hours on standby.
Along with a USB-C charging port, the keyboard contains two extra USB ports that assist units like mice and exterior drives. The KB3 is suitable with Home windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.