See music video image: https://en.zfrontier.com/products/in-stock-mt3-jukebox
Every keyboard enthusiast has had to replace keycaps.
Among the things you’ll want to try at least once are High-profile keycaps High-profile keycaps” are the ones you should try at least once.
It is characterized by its taller stature compared to the regular Cherry and other types, and many people may be attracted by its “unique nasal-like hitting feeling.
However, in many cases, it is necessary to use overseas stores to obtain them, and availability is not good for Japanese people.
In many cases, especially since you have to buy from stores in the U.S., you may not be able to make the purchase considering the shipping costs.
These high-profiled keycaps can be easily purchased from Japan, zfrontier, a keyboard specialty store based in Shanghai zfrontier, a Shanghai-based shop specializing in keyboards.
- Keyboard store name｜zfrontier
- Management Company｜zFrontier Inc.
- Year Established: 2015
- Founder: Steven Zhang
- Head Office: Room 408, 1701 Beijing West Road, Jing An District, Shanghai, China
- Nature of Business: Sales of mechanical keyboards, keycaps and related accessories
Many hypo key caps are available and shipping to Japan is inexpensive.
Despite international shipping from Shanghai, shipping costs start as low as $6.00.
KawamuraIt usually takes about a week from the time of order.
As for transportation, a business called SF Express receives them in China, and Sagawa Express delivers them in Japan.
This article describes the Hypro key caps available at zfrontier.
Representative of GreenEchoes Studio
He launched his own media as a site operator and web writer, and now plans and manages multiple corporate media. He often types heavily in his work, and in his search for greater efficiency, he became addicted to the keyboard swamp and established “GreenKeys”.
Types and Features of High Profile Keycaps
There are several types of hypro-key caps.
| profile name | feature | Manufacturer / Brand | remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA (Spherical All) | Rounded spherical top, very high keycaps, graduated height sculptured | Signature Plastics | Typical hi-pro, retro look |
| MT3 (Matt3o Profile) | Slightly lower than SA, deep spherical curve, thick and stable | Drop / Matt3o | Fusion of modern and retro |
| KAT (Keyreative All Touch) | Lower than SA, close to MT3 but slightly flat, spherical curve | Keyreative | Attractive sound and keystroke feel |
| HiPro (High Profile) | Genuine high profile for Topre keyboards (Realforce) | Topre / Realforce | For Topre switches only |
| MDA (Mid-height DSA) | Intermediate profile lower than SA and higher than MT3, wide top for stability | Various | Midway between high pro and low, but slightly higher in classification. |
SA is still the most famous.
However, people often think that it is a bit too expensive.
In that light, I personally feel that the MT3 profile is an “acceptable range of tall” keycap profiles.
Here is a height comparison.
SA > MT3 > KAT ≒ MDA > DSS > OEM > CherryIt is difficult to make a general statement because the sound varies depending on the material used, but we have the impression that many people are attracted to the unique nasal sound, which tends to have a “deep, throaty sound”.
Hyproky caps available at zfrontier
The following three types of hypro-key caps are available at zfrontier.
- SA Profile (Signature Plastic – USA)
- MT3 Profile (Drop*-USA)
- KAT Profile (Keyreative-China)
The design conception of the *MT3 profile is the work of my esteemed Matt3o I respect and admire Matt3o.
SA Profile (Signature Plastic – USA)
SA Profile Keycaps are keycaps designed and manufactured by Signature Plastic.
Famous examples include SA Viberoom and SA Oblibion.
Example of SA profile keycap available on zFrontier
View SA profile keycap in zFrontier ▷▷▷
MT3 Profile (Drop-USA)
The MT3 profile is a keycap designed by Matto3o, a keycap designer.
Manufactured by Drop.
The most famous ones are MT3 Susuwatari, MT3 Jukebox, and MT3 2048 Extended.
Example of MT3 profile keycap available on zFrontier
View MT3 profile keycap in zFrontier ▷▷▷
KAT Profile (Keyreative-China)
KAT profiles are designed and manufactured by Keyreative.
It is shorter than the SA and MT3, yet still offers the enjoyment of high-profile keystroke sounds.
KawamuraI had replacement keycaps made for HHKB Studio only with these.
KawamuraBecause zFrontier and Keyreative are close friends, we carry many models that are not sold at Keyreative-owned stores.
Example of a KAT profile keycap available on zFrontier
View KAT profile keycap on zFrontier ▷▷▷
Calculation of import duties, import consumption tax, etc.
When buying keyboard-related products from China, if the price of the product exceeds a certain amount, it is subject to the “import consumption tax (10%)”.
This exemption line does not apply to import consumption tax if the “taxable value is 10,000 yen or less,” i.e., if 60% of the retail value when converted to yen is 10,000 yen or less.
KawamuraNo import consumption tax will be charged on the purchase of goods with a retail value of 16,666 Japanese yen or less (about $110.00-115.00 in U.S. dollars).
Please use the simple calculator below.
⌨️ KeebTax Global ⌨️
– Tariff: Keyboards, switches, keycaps, etc. (HS code 8471.60) are duty-free from all countries
– Taxable value: Calculated as (product value x exchange rate) x 0.6; tax-free for value under 10,000 yen
– Import consumption tax: Taxable value > 10,000 yen, (value of goods + customs duty) x 10% (flat rate from any country)
– Transporter fees: different rates apply for different companies and regions
– Small value imports: if taxable value ≤ 10,000 yen, duty and consumption tax are waived
This calculation is only a guide. It does not guarantee the actual amount to be billed.
summary
These are the hypro-key caps available from zfrontier.
In particular, the MT3 profile lineup is excellent.
If you are interested, why not give it a try?
