KiiwiCherry MX Black switch sound
Hear the Cherry MX Black switch sound on Mac: it plays in your browser as you type below. Cherry's heavy 60cN linear, one of the original MX switches, recorded stock and on ABS and PBT keycaps. Recorded from a real board.
Type the words below. Headphones make the difference obvious.
What it sounds like
The MX Black is a linear, so there is no bump and no click, and its stiffer spring means you press harder and bottom out with more force. The result is a firm, solid sound, more deliberate than the lighter MX Red.
The keycap recordings show how much the caps change a switch. On ABS it is brighter and clackier; on PBT it is deeper and drier. Same switch, same spring: the plastic on top does the rest.
At a glance
Compared with
Cherry MX Red
Cherry's light 45cN linear, the classic smooth switch in gaming keyboards, recorded on ABS keycaps.
Gateron Black
Gateron's heavy linear: dry and muted.
Cherry MX Brown
Cherry's gentle tactile, the most widely used bump switch there is, recorded stock and on ABS and PBT keycaps.
Keep exploring
Hear it side by side Cherry MX Red vs Black
More linear switches Cherry MX Speed Silver, Gateron Black Ink, Gateron Red, Gateron Red Ink
Choosing an app Kiiwi vs CupertinoClicks, more switch vs switch pairs
Questions
What does the Cherry MX Black switch sound like?
The MX Black is a linear, so there is no bump and no click, and its stiffer spring means you press harder and bottom out with more force. The result is a firm, solid sound, more deliberate than the lighter MX Red.
Is the Cherry MX Black loud?
On the quieter side. A linear has no bump and no click, so almost all of the sound is the key bottoming out.
Which switches sound similar to the Cherry MX Black?
The closest in Kiiwi are the Cherry MX Red, Gateron Black and Cherry MX Brown. Cherry MX Red: Cherry's light 45cN linear, the classic smooth switch in gaming keyboards, recorded on ABS keycaps. Gateron Black: Gateron's heavy linear: dry and muted. Cherry MX Brown: Cherry's gentle tactile, the most widely used bump switch there is, recorded stock and on ABS and PBT keycaps.
Can I get the Cherry MX Black sound on my Mac?
Yes. Kiiwi plays this recording, key-up sound included, under the keyboard you already own, in every app, from the menu bar. It works on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 14 or later, and it's a one-time purchase.
Get the Cherry MX Black sound on your Mac
Kiiwi has all 36 packs, this one included, and plays them under the keyboard you already own, in every app, from the menu bar. It needs macOS 14 or later, costs $4.99 once, and hears that a key was pressed, never what you typed.
Download for macOS