Quick switch review: Akko Rosewoods vs Keygeek Y2s vs HMX Dirty Pinks


I’ve now installed the Keygeek Y2 switches in the Weikav Lucky65 V3.

That makes it the third properly thocky switch I’ve tried in this board, after the Akko Rosewood and HMX Dirty Pink. Since all three have now been tested on the same keyboard, this has turned into a useful little comparison.

Same board. Same basic build. Different switches.

And the Keygeek Y2 has surprised me.

The Keygeek Y2 is deeper than the Rosewood and Dirty Pink

The first thing I noticed with the Y2 was the depth.

Compared with the Akko Rosewood and HMX Dirty Pink, the Keygeek Y2 sounds deeper. It has a fuller, lower-pitched sound that leans more into the classic “thock” people tend to chase in this hobby.

The Akko Rosewood is already a very muted and thocky switch, but the Y2 takes that sound and adds a slightly more refined character to it.

It feels less like a blunt thock and more like a rounded one.

That probably sounds a bit silly, but once you’ve tried a few of these switches side-by-side, those small differences start to become easier to hear.

Y2 versus Akko Rosewood

The Akko Rosewood is still a very nice switch.

In the Lucky65v3, it gives the board a soft, muted, carpeted sound. It is one of those switches that makes the keyboard feel more controlled and less sharp. It is not loud or aggressive. It just sits there doing the thocky thing very comfortably.

The Keygeek Y2 is similar in that sense, but I prefer the sound.

The Y2 has a nicer, more refined thock compared with the Rosewood. It is deeper, slightly louder, and has a bit more presence without becoming harsh.

The best way I can describe both switches is that they sound like typing on a nice, thocky carpet.

The Rosewood is the softer and more muted of the two. The Y2 gives you a little more depth and character.

Y2 versus HMX Dirty Pink

The HMX Dirty Pink is a different flavour.

It is louder than both the Rosewood and the Y2, but it also sounds slightly higher-pitched. I would describe it as more creamy than deep.

That is not a bad thing at all.

The Dirty Pink has a very satisfying sound, and it brings more energy to the keyboard. But if I am specifically looking for a deeper thock, I think the Keygeek Y2 gets closer to what I personally want.

The Dirty Pink is louder and more lively.

The Y2 is deeper and more controlled.

The Rosewood is softer and more muted.

Loudness comparison

In terms of volume, this is how I would rank them:

  1. HMX Dirty Pink: loudest

  2. Keygeek Y2: slightly louder than Rosewood

  3. Akko Rosewood: quieter and more muted

The Keygeek Y2 sits nicely in the middle.

It gives more sound than the Rosewood, but it does not become as loud as the Dirty Pink. That makes it quite a nice middle-ground switch if you want thock without turning your keyboard into a desk-sized percussion instrument.

SwitchSound ProfileVolumePitchFeel / WeightBest ForOffice Use
Keygeek Y2Deep, refined thockMediumLowest/deepest of the threeHeavier actuation and bottom-out, substantial feelThe best overall thock in this boardYes, especially in a foamy build
Akko RosewoodSoft, muted, carpet-like thockQuietest of the threeDeep, but less full than Y2Lighter and more relaxed than Y2Muted thock and quieter buildsYes, probably the safest office choice
HMX Dirty PinkCreamy, lively, satisfyingLoudest of the threeSlightly higher-pitchedFeels heavier for some reason, despite not sounding as deepA louder creamy/thocky sound with more energyMaybe, but less ideal in a quiet office

Office use

The Rosewood and Y2 are both switches I could imagine using in an office, especially in a foamy build.

The Lucky65v3 already has that softer, more cushioned sound profile, so pairing it with a muted switch makes sense if you want something that feels satisfying without being too distracting.

The Rosewood is probably the safer office option because it is quieter and more muted.

The Keygeek Y2 is still usable, but it has a touch more volume and presence.

The Dirty Pink would be a bit more questionable in a quiet office. It is not obnoxious, but it is clearly louder and more noticeable.

Feel and weight

The Keygeek Y2 feels heavier in actuation and bottom-out compared with the Rosewood.

That said, the Dirty Pink somehow feels heavier to me, even though the Y2 gives the stronger impression of having more weight on paper or during a bottom-out.

This is one of those strange keyboard things where sound, spring feel, smoothness, and the way the switch rebounds all combine into one overall feeling.

The Y2 feels substantial.

The Dirty Pink feels a bit more forceful.

The Rosewood feels more relaxed.

A quick mention for Huano Sakuras

The Huano Sakuras are also worth mentioning if you are looking for thocky switches.

They are the quietest and lightest thocky switch I have tried so far. They do not have the same depth or weight as the Keygeek Y2, but they are very easy to type on and still give you that softer, deeper sound profile.

If the Y2 is the deeper, more serious thock and the Rosewood is the muted carpet thock, the Huano Sakura is the lighter and quieter option.

RGB and the red theme

One pleasant surprise with the Keygeek Y2 is the RGB.

If you like red, this switch works really well.

I have the red version of the Lucky65 V3, and the accent lighting looks great with the Y2 installed. The colour pairing makes the board feel more intentional, almost like the switches belong in this build.

It is a small thing, but with keyboards, small things are often the whole point.

Final thoughts

After trying the Akko Rosewood, HMX Dirty Pink, and Keygeek Y2 in the Weikav Lucky65 V3, I think the Y2 might be my new favourite deep thock switch. But overall, I still think that the Dirty Pink still takes the cake, and because of this, HMX has become my favourite switch manufacturer.

The Rosewood is still excellent if you want something softer, quieter, and more muted.

The Dirty Pink is great if you want something louder, creamier, and a bit more lively.

But the Keygeek Y2 gives me the best balance so far.

It is deep, refined, slightly louder than the Rosewood, quieter than the Dirty Pink, and it pairs beautifully with the red Lucky65v3.

For this board, the Y2 feels like a very strong match.

Comments

Popular Posts