KiiwiTopre switch sound
Hear the Topre switch sound on Mac: it plays in your browser as you type below. Topre's electrostatic capacitive switch: a rubber dome under a spring, with soft, rounded tactility. Recorded from a real board.
Type the words below. Headphones make the difference obvious.
What it sounds like
Topre boards such as the HHKB and the Realforce are prized for a feel all of their own: a smooth, cushioned bump from the dome, and a deep, muted sound often described as a thock.
It is unlike any MX style switch here: softer than a Holy Panda and rounder than a Cherry MX Brown.
At a glance
Compared with
Topre Purple Hybrid
A Topre dome with an MX style stem, recorded on PBT keycaps.
Cherry MX Brown
Cherry's gentle tactile, the most widely used bump switch there is, recorded stock and on ABS and PBT keycaps.
Holy Panda
A Halo stem in a Panda housing: a sharp, pronounced tactile bump with a full, rounded bottom-out.
Keep exploring
Hear it side by side Topre vs Cherry MX Brown
More tactile switches Everglide Crystal Purple, Everglide Oreo, Gateron Brown, Glorious Panda
Choosing an app Kiiwi vs Keeby, more switch vs switch pairs
Questions
What does the Topre switch sound like?
Topre boards such as the HHKB and the Realforce are prized for a feel all of their own: a smooth, cushioned bump from the dome, and a deep, muted sound often described as a thock.
Is the Topre loud?
In the middle. The bump adds a tap on the way down, but there is no click, so it is quieter than a clicky switch.
Which switches sound similar to the Topre?
The closest in Kiiwi are the Topre Purple Hybrid, Cherry MX Brown and Holy Panda. Topre Purple Hybrid: A Topre dome with an MX style stem, recorded on PBT keycaps. Cherry MX Brown: Cherry's gentle tactile, the most widely used bump switch there is, recorded stock and on ABS and PBT keycaps. Holy Panda: A Halo stem in a Panda housing: a sharp, pronounced tactile bump with a full, rounded bottom-out.
Can I get the Topre 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 Topre 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