HMX Macchiato Switches | Review, Sound Test, Comparison

HMX Macchiato:
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[@AquaPeet]

OOF that Oil King sounded so terrible on the upstroke, it gave me the chills. That Vertex was kinda special though... but I think the Cream Yellow was my favorite this time!

[@yoonsoohong]

i agree lmao im shocked at how muc h better the competition has gotten compared to the last 3-4 years

[@thoccnology]

I specifically hate Oil Kings, I appreciate that there's someone who's stroked by the same feeling (my intention of leaving it to the end was to emphasise the difference).

[@802Garage]

@@thoccnology I keep wondering why you use them when they sound so bad, hahaha. Now it makes sense. It's to compare to a switch you don't like. I definitely feel the same way. It's definitely crazy how much better switches have gotten. Classic reds and browns are so scratchy and annoying compared to modern switches I think.

[@thoccnology]

@@802Garage I also wanted to include them because many other reviewers are hyped about the Oil Kings. Even though they are not good at all. I wonder how hyped they would be if they started using these HMX and BSUN switches. I'm sure they head would blow off. :D (Like mine did when I received my first BSUN lol)

[@HDKHybrid]

@@thoccnologydo you have any recs for switches that lend to a deeper sound signature that are on par in quality with these switches? I’ve been loving the HMX switches I’ve tried but I want something a little deeper

[@jpeg2732]

I bought the clouds recently because i was looking for a higher pitch sound for the zoom75 (black ink were too muted). Instantly fell in love, they feel so smooth and sound amazing. Thanks for the showcase!

[@thoccnology]

I'm so glad to hear this! Indeed, HMX is really good at making lively-sounding switches. ^^

[@JustinBowsher]

Pair these with some taller/deeper caps and a bassy board and you get this thocky but sharp clack. Pair that with the full travel and you can get into this flow of thunderous thwacks. Very nice

[@AllelineNguyen]

HMX is absolutely killing it lately. I got their HMX Xihai and it's awesome. BSUN is also great. I'm a fan of light switches, so the HMX Xinhai as well as BSUN Bunny have been awesome. There is no scratch with inconsistent lube, and no upstroke rattle. Of course, users should be aware that around 3 - 5 switches out of a 100 might need custom lubing, so they should buy a couple extra, but the quality control from HMX and BSUN is S tier in my experience.

[@thoccnology]

Basically the very same for me! I don't have Xinhais yet, but have a couple from the other legendary HMX, the Canglan - so excited to put them into my board!

[@flylowe46m38]

Dang Akko with a budget and killing it

[@802Garage]

These sound nice. Amazing thumbnail. Love me some good coffee. Hope you don't mind the comment spam hahaha.

[@thoccnology]

Indeed, coffee-themed keyboard stuff is a design match made in heaven.

[@802Garage]

@@thoccnology Appreciate you taking the time to answer them all. :D

[@acloudonthebluestsky9687]

Product " light spring for great user experience Me: 2stage 80gr spring go brr brr

[@thoccnology]

Ooooh, 80gr? That's a complete workout for getting my fingers ready for the 'bikini season' hihi

[@ciprianrobo]

For a marbly/clacky sound would you prefer macchiato or cloud? Also do you have/have you used some Tecsee Eminence to compare against?

[@thoccnology]

I'd say both are very good in terms of clacky-marbly sounds! These two are my go-to switches for that. Unfortunately I haven't tried the Eminence yet (I stopped buying Tecsee switches, as new, cheaper and better brands emerged in the last months, like BSUN and HMX)

[@Ergosonn]

Hello, you were right. Maybe i shouldn't have trusted the local store cuz they brought me Gateron White instead of North Pole:( But I can't but mention that they're as silent as North Pole. Meanwhile, they're only 3pin. Now I have such a strange keyboard with mix of Mmd Princess (tactile) and these switches

[@thoccnology]

Oh, if they're really as silent as the North Pole, then it's not as bad!

[@thekeebman]

These switches actually do have long poles - at least according to the data you had (13.4mm)

[@Phantombbq]

Also have a zoom75 but full foam build. Do you think the macchiatos would sound good in a full foam build?

[@thoccnology]

Absolutely yes! I mean they have a lively, clacky sound profile, so it's perfect for deep-ish clack lovers!

[@dangoniko]

they look and sound so yummy ☕

[@thoccnology]

Coffee-themed switches always get me good. :')

[@Barry_Danger]

Do you find these to be scratchy at all? I’ve got them in my Loop and a few of them feel VERY scratchy while the rest have just a little scratchiness

[@thoccnology]

Luckily not, I use cca. 85 pcs regularly, and all are very creamy so far. I can imagine that there are defective pieces due to the natural defect ratio of the manufacturing process, but that shouldn't be more than 1-2% of the amount. If they are very noticeable, try contacting the seller, I'm sure they're able to help you somehow

[@Sylanthus]

I’m so confused with all of the HMX switches. Out of all that you’ve tried, which are your favorites? I have xinhai (high pitch) and canglans (lower pitch) and they’re both good but I don’t understand the rest of the lineup

[@thoccnology]

Yeah, it's basically only nuances - what's sure about HMX switches, they all have great tolerances, great factory-lubing and clacky sound. In deepness and clacky/thocky there are slight differences, basically that's what you have to decide, which one you prefer, thocky or clacky. I love all of my HMXs, but my top choices are Swift (as an overall great option), Purple Dawn for creamy thock, EVA for deep thocks)

[@Sylanthus]

@@thoccnology thank you so much!! How do you feel about Lotus and Clouds? Can you compare them to Xinhais? I have Xinhai and they are quite high pitch

[@thoccnology]

@@Sylanthus I love them too, they're basically just as good, also quite similar in clackyness too. The Lotus is much more clackier though. Unfortunately I don't have Xinhai, but I think based on sound tests, that the Lotus is a tiny bit more high-pitched and clacky.

[@Moritz.Langen]

HMX are best in industry imo. My fav is HMX Xinhai 62,5

[@thoccnology]

I agree, I think they have the best manufacturing tolerance limits for sure. I've only heard good things about the Xinhais, I'll try to buy them next time.

[@ucphu7848]

can u compare with hmx macaron, what is the best of both ? Many thanks !

[@thoccnology]

Unfortunately I don't have the Macaron yet, but it's supposed to be a bit deeper sounding.

[@Elyeras]

Is it normal for the Macchiatos to sound noticeably scratchy? Like I've heard "cherry scratch" is a thing but even after a full hand lube the scratch is like distinct loud and noticeable to a point where it's really ruining my opinion of the switch.

[@thoccnology]

Hm, if it's significantly worse than other premium switches (I'd compare them to BSUNs, or some other HMXs) I don't think it should be normal. All of my HMX switches are very smooth, especially compared to other brands (except some). Might be worth a question towards the seller you bought them from (HMX clones are not likely to be a thing, but there might be a slight production error in some of the batches).

[@tgib8]

Hi, I'm looking for thocky switches, do u have any recommendation?

[@thoccnology]

My favorites choices are Vertex V One, BSUN Roselle and BSUN Taro N Sweet Potato, also the Duhuk Lumia Matcha V4 (I'll publish the review soon for that)

[@Finn_Hnd]

I love the sound of these switches. I just can’t find a vendor that sells them in europe :(

[@thoccnology]

Yeah, that's an impossible mission. But Unikeys ships to EU (without custom procedure), for a low shipping cost.

[@Finn_Hnd]

@@thoccnology They just got restocked on Unikeys so I ordered some using your code :) Thanks for the tip

[@hoangcowboy]

I love machiato, which switch is louder than this???

[@thoccnology]

I think the Hyacinths are considered to be louder!

[@fuduc4606]

Vs with macaron which is the best ? Thanks

[@thoccnology]

I couldn't try the Macarons yet, but when I compared to other's sound tests, I feel they're both impeccable. Macarons for a deeper sound, Macchiatos for a clackier sound.

[@MrFiz-zr8eh]

would you say these are good for gaming

[@thoccnology]

Generally speaking, the short-travel switches are for gaming - meaning 1.5mm and under. Although this difference is not really affecting the overall latency.

[@olivergarric6269]

Would these sound nice on a leobog hi75?

[@thoccnology]

Yes, in my opinion their creamy sound would be great on a Hi75!

[@kreb6310]

can i still use rgb with these?

[@thoccnology]

Yes, there's a cutout for the lights on the top housing

[@BigDomDaddy]

I don't know why the oil kings sounded so bad... Mine don't sound that bad.

[@thoccnology]

I have boxes from two different batches (and two different sellers), but both of them sound like this :')

[@BigDomDaddy]

@@thoccnology I removed the factory lube and relubed with Krytox 205G0. That bad sound is gone. You should try to do that once.. : )

[@thoccnology]

@@BigDomDaddy To be honest, I have so many great switches, that the Oil Kings can't even join the game anymore. :D

[@BigDomDaddy]

@@thoccnology I get it.. Since you put oil king in the video.. Just saying that lubing it will make the switch a whole lot better. Oil king's pre-lube is very inconsistent and it's not good.

[@thoccnology]

​@@BigDomDaddy Ah, yeah, I got you - my main thought is to show the sound profiles one can get by using the switches out-of-the-box. The price tag they put on the Oil Kings is partly because it comes 'pre-lubed'. And I mean.. what's the point of a crappy pre-lube? :D If they could make it cheaper without pre-lube, it'd be better. On the other hand, we can get BSUN and HMX perfect quality of lubing for literally half the price, so that's why I dislike Gaterons in general (way overpriced, and it seems they stopped perfecting their molds).

[@voltenbolt]

oh my goodness the oil kings sound terrible

[@thoccnology]

omg, right?!? I got two separate batches, and both of them sound like this TwT I seriously don't understand the hype

[@jolp9799]

Maybe it's a mixture of the switches but I love the way you type. it sounds just like rain drops on a roof

[@thoccnology]

Thank you so much! ^^