PLEASE help! HHKB makes springing noise

detto87 · 02 May 2013, 12:40

Hello there!

Just got a brand new HHKB Pro 2 in Dark Gray and what I noticed after thoroughly inspecting the thing, is a springing kinda rattling noise that comes from the inside when pressing the spacebar or the 'e' key or when tapping with my finger on the outer casing of the board.

It reminded me instantly of the 'ping' from a Filco board.

Before I make too much trouble with the seller, could anybody confirm or negate this kind of problem?

Please try picking up the board with one hand, holding it near to the ear and tap with your other hand against the backside of the HHKB. Does it make any unpleasant sound as if a spring or screw might be loose?

Thanks in advance.

Muirium · 02 May 2013, 12:50

I have heard of noisy space bars on some HHKB. Trev mentions it in passing, and has a nice picture of the spacebar's underside.

Sounds like there's something loose in there somewhere. I'd pop off a few keys and have a look, if you are comfortable doing that. It may be something easy to put back in place. But I don't have an HHKB (yet!) so can't give better detailed advice. Someone else here may well be more helpful.

ne0phyte · 02 May 2013, 12:50

Well, if and only if I hold it to my ear I do hear a slight springing noise.
I never noticed that before and I guess it's normal since there are springs inside

detto87 · 02 May 2013, 13:02

Thanks guys. Quick response!

I'm not so sure myself anymore. When I hold the HHKB like a telephone to my ear and I press a key and release it in a way it plops up...that way I have that rattling sound from almost all keys.
Which is kinda nice to know as it seems to be related to the springs of the keys but in the same way .. it is not because the sound is still there on such an expensive keyboard.

I have to admit though, that in normal usage it doesn't bother me or is not loud enough to hear.
Knowing it is there and hearing it when room is silent and a key gets released too "ploppy" it is still kinda ... bit dissapointing I guess.

But still it would be nice to know if I'm not the only one with that experience and good hearing abilites.

mj45 · 02 May 2013, 21:42

I think it is typical, if tapped lightly the keys on my HHKB sound a little rattly but normal key-presses are not. I think most of us expect a lot from these keyboards considering the cost. The Realforce seems about the same to me, I think its a characteristic of Topre switches. The silenced models are of course much quieter.

detto87 · 02 May 2013, 23:04

No no , I don't mean the typical click-clack when the keys are pressed or released.

I made a video of the sound when pressing "6".
It is the key(cap) where that sound is most prominent.

https://jumpshare.com/v/s2ULFIyOD3eSpeD ... iQQvdXnWPz

Listen carefully after the key came up. It sounds like a metallic thing or a spring or similar.

ne0phyte · 02 May 2013, 23:21

I can reproduce that with my 9 key.
Again: I never noticed that before as it only happens when I let the key snap back. No idea how you do that while typing lol

EDIT: And in case you didn't know - Topre switches have springs

mj45 · 03 May 2013, 03:40

detto87 wrote:No no , I don't mean the typical click-clack when the keys are pressed or released.

I made a video of the sound when pressing "6".
It is the key(cap) where that sound is most prominent.

https://jumpshare.com/v/s2ULFIyOD3eSpeD ... iQQvdXnWPz

Listen carefully after the key came up. It sounds like a metallic thing or a spring or similar.

I can only hear that on mine if my ear is next to a key. Yours definitely sounds louder to me. I saw another new owner have similar issue on that, I don't recall what forum, but he was advised that it would go away after some use. Or you could RMA it for another, if you not satisfied or feel it won't get better after some use. But as "neOphyte" said there's springs under the "cups of rubber" as Topre calls them.

mintberryminuscrunch · 03 May 2013, 07:09

PING!
(I miss ripster. .. not)