NuPhy X BH65 Review｜Magnetic gaming keyboard with aluminum body for the best keystroke sound

This is too good to be left as a gaming keyboard.

The BH65 is the first keyboard that gave me such a feeling.

In recent years, more and more models of magnetic keyboards have been dramatically improved in terms of key feel and sound, but this one is exceptional.

We can confidently recommend this keyboard as “the kind of keyboard that makes you want to type all the time” without any discovery.

This article reviews the NuPhy X BH65.

This product was provided by DIGIART (Sanyo Godo Kaisha) for promotional purposes.

Use coupon code: ryo10 for an additional 10% off.

Overview of NuPhy X BH65 specifications, etc.

(technical) specification

• Layout: ANSI 65
• Number of keys: 68
• Switch type: High profile magnetic switch
• Stabilizer type: plate mount
• Mounting type: Tray mount
• Power-off interchangeable switch support: Yes
• N-key rollover support: Yes
• Backlight: Top emitting LED
• Backlight mode: 20
• Compatible systems: macOS/Windows/Linux/Android/iOS Operating environment: -10 to 50°C
• Wired polling rate: 8000Hz
• PCB scan rate: 16000Hz
• Keycap: PBT
• Keyboard: All aluminum body
• Length 321.5 mm (12.66 in.)
• Width 114.8 mm (4.52 in.)
• Rear height 29.9 mm (1.18 in.)
• Front height 20 mm (0.79″)
• Weight 1103 grams (2.43 lbs)
• Typing tilt angle 6.0º

Magnetic key switches available

• Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro
• Gateron Magnetic Jade Gaming
• TTC Magneto (to be confirmed)

NuPhy X BH65 Review

Let’s take a look at some actual photos of BH65.

It comes in a fairly solid box.

The “chic” packaging, not unlike a gaming keyboard, is very pleasing.

Contents include the keyboard itself, a simple manual, four screws, USB Type-A to C cable, and keycap/key switch puller.

The weight is over 1 kg.

Let’s change things up a bit this time and look at it from the back side to focus on the “case.

Look at this chic finish.

The 220-mesh bead blasting (a method of creating a matte finish by beating fine particles into the aluminum) has a very fine finish and is smooth to the touch.

The exquisite matte color, anodized in a slightly dull dark blue, is full of a sense of luxury and enhances the beauty of the lines engraved in the aluminum.

The typing angle is fixed at approximately 6 degrees, and the aforementioned tilt-feet create a cavity between the desk and the typing angle, which produces a crisp typing sound.

The key profile is Cherry-like, with different slant angles for different rows.

Keycap shape is cylindrical and keycap material is double-shot PBT.

Very nicely shaped.

After looking at the back, let’s look at the side.

No switches or other devices are seen on the side of the body, only a USB port with Type-C connection.

The extreme side view is this side view.

Named the Black Hole Light Trail, this section of the trail seems to represent the mysterious visual of a black hole.

The hollowed-out areas that seem to be sucked in are beautifully sculpted.

Of course, it is illuminated by an LED diffuser that is built into the center.

I can’t get enough of this.

In the official image, it is presented like this.

This certainly has a very sci-fi flavor to it!

The case’s attention to detail continues, with “BH65” engraved in the upper right corner of the keyboard.

Clutch or kick O” is engraved on the lower right side of the top surface.

There is also an LED diffuser on the upper left side of the top surface that glows in the same color as the side LEDs.

Finally, the top view.

It has a basic 65% ANSI layout with separate directional keys.

The keys have a black background and mint green printing, which together with the purple accent key caps create a cyber feel.

All keys are equipped with south-facing LEDs, but due to the PBT keycaps, which do not transmit light, the light leaks out from between the keys.

By default, Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro/Gaming can be selected.

The plate utilizes aluminum material and the mount is probably a top mount.

While gaming keyboards are often top-mounted for low latency, they often sacrifice key feel.

In this respect, BH65 uses a unique vibration-absorbing structure with silica gel, and we were able to enjoy a comfortable typing feel.

Not to be forgotten are the keymap change and magnetic effect change applications.

BH65 is compatible with the latest NuPhy io 2.0.

The setup screen is intuitive and very easy to understand, and since it is fully compatible with the Japanese language, there is almost no chance of getting lost in the operation.

The above screen and the following screen are displayed in one window, and you can switch between the tabs for keymap changes and magnetic effect settings while viewing the actual keyboard.

The settings seem to be reflected in real time.

In addition to magnetic effects, MOD-TAP and macros can also be set up.

As for MOD-TAP, like the Vial firmware, it is excellent in that it can even adjust the threshold. (With regular VIA, for example, you have to set it before compiling to adjust it.)

There is no mode switch on the BH65 main unit, but you can switch to the respective keymap and magnetic effect settings by pressing the buttons below while holding down the function key.

• Fn+Q→M1
• Fn+W → M2
• Fn+E → M3

One mode has four layers, so you can set up different operating systems to coexist, or save up to three dedicated settings for different games in the gaming scene.

Advantages of NuPhy X BH65

The following are five advantages of BH65 that I have found in actual use.

Great key feel and sound

The point that attracted me to BH65 the most was the “keystroke sound.

The keystroke sound published by the original company is shown here, but it seems quite “peppy”, perhaps due to the recording environment.

Here is a picture taken in my environment.

Can you see that this is a different direction from Thocy?

There is probably little or no sound absorption.

It may even have “silica gel” in it to absorb shock.

The echoing sound inside the metal case is very distinctive and makes you want to type all the time.

I especially love the sound of the space bar’s “cone! sound of the space bar is irresistible.

I also expected that the hardness of the aluminum top plate combined with the top mount would result in a fairly “hard hitting” feel, but thanks to the silica gel, there is not that much noticeable hardness, but only a pleasant degree.

Personally, I liked it a lot.

Highly finished keyboard as a keyboard, including the aluminum case, in a different level of perfection.

We felt that BH65 is a very complete keyboard, including the case.

The first thing that catches the eye will be the wonderful design of the aluminum case.

The 220-mesh, finely bead-blasted housing is extremely pleasant to the touch, and the exquisite body color, which looks like black with a bluish tinge due to the anodizing process, makes it a pleasure to own.

We also suspect that the fact that we were able to release the product with a simple configuration, without adding sound-absorbing materials, is a result of the comprehensive design that includes the sound of keystrokes.

Excellent LED lighting

BH65 has beautiful LED lighting anyway.

Speaking of what seems to be a gaming keyboard, we have an image of it glowing in multiple colors anyway, but the way the BH65 glows is quite elegant.

The way the light shines through the hollows in the case, which seems to have been designed with LED lighting included, is truly cosmic.

The lighting techniques developed for the Halo series are being utilized.

Key map change web app is very easy and convenient to use

When it comes to magnetic keyboards, the hardware aspect as well as the software aspect of configuration is very important.

In this respect, we found BH65’s dedicated editing application, NuPhy IO 2.0, to be very outstanding.

Since Japanese is supported by default, there is no difficulty in understanding due to browser translation, and everything can be operated intuitively.

Very conscientious pricing not commensurate with quality.

With such high quality, the price is a whopping 26,950 yen (tax included).

My sensation was that it was a high-end keyboard priced at around 40,000 yen, but I was surprised that it could be sold at this price.

Use coupon code: ryo10 for an additional 10% off.

No need to worry about technical compliance due to wired connection only

BH65 is a “wired connection only keyboard”.

Therefore, one of the attractions of this product is that there is no need to think about “technical compliance,” which is a concern when using the product.

The key to a gaming keyboard is how low the latency is between input and response.

The BH65’s polling rate (used as an estimate of the speed from input to response) is 8000 Hz.

Considering that the standard for a keyboard with a normal wired connection/2.4GHz USB dongle is 1000 Hz, it simply responds 8 times faster.

Disadvantages of NuPhy X BH65

After all, even with good products, there are certain precautions that you want to check before purchasing.

The following are two disadvantages to be aware of before purchasing BH65 from a general perspective.

Some people may not like the sound of the keystroke.

After all, the most popular keyboard scene these days, including magnetic keyboards, is the “Thocky” directional keystroke sound.

It is a nasal, low-pitched, pushy percussion sound muted by sound-absorbing material.

Gasket-mounted keyboards with a soft key feel and a “kotokotoko” rather than “click” type of keyboard are popular.

If you are looking for that kind of “kotokoto-style” keyboard sound, this may not be the keyboard for you.

It is also not suitable for those who are looking for a quiet office setting.

Heavy weight, not suitable for carrying

Not only the BH65, but also keyboards in general that use aluminum cases are not suitable for carrying because of their weight.

It would be impractical to carry a keyboard weighing 1 kg in a bag.

Summary｜Recommended for those who are looking for a keyboard that can be heard rather than as a magnetic keyboard.

This is my review of BH65.

Since the BH65 has been introduced as a magnetic keyboard, it may well be the case that it is no longer a purchase for the average mechanical keyboard fan.

This is still a waste.

We felt that the BH65 is a keyboard that should be used by fans of mechanical keyboards who value keystroke feel.

If you are interested, please give it a try!

Use coupon code: ryo10 for an additional 10% off.