WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition Review｜The copper bass gives the keys a superb feel and weight.

Perhaps this is where the true value of a custom keyboard lies.

The WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition makes us feel that way.

This is a special edition of WOBKEY ZEN65, which became very popular through crowdfunding, and this is the only “unassembled” product.

It is a “DIY keyboard kit” that does not require any soldering, and you can complete “your own one” by combining the included parts of your choice and selecting your favorite mounting method.

Noteworthy is its manufacturing method.

A 4 kg copper block was precision CNC machined and over 2.3 kg of material was shaved off to create a 1.7 kg high-density copper base.

All curves, cavities, and chambers are carefully machined to achieve exceptional acoustic properties and tactile sensations.

This article will review a true collector’s item, the WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition.

WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition” was provided by KIBU Corporation for promotional purposes.
GreenEchoes Studio, which operates Greenkeys, may receive compensation if a contract is signed from a link in this article.

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Price, sales format, and availability

• Availability: ★☆☆☆☆ (very hard to find due to limited availability)
• Price range: $249.99/approx. 38,600 yen
• Form of sale: Out of stock
• Resale schedule: undecided
• Available at: KIBU Shop/ Official overseas website

WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition Specifications Overview

The ZEN 65 Limited Edition is a 65% alignment custom keyboard kit that is thoroughly focused on material density and acoustic design.

Made from a 4kg block of copper, it is truly a work of craftsmanship.

(data) item	Contents
Product name	WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition Copper Keyboard Kit
brand	WOBKEY.
category	65% Custom mechanical keyboards ( kit format )
Enclosure material (base)	1.7kg Pure copper (transparent electrodeposition coating finish)
Enclosure material (top)	Aluminum (220 mesh warm silver anodized)
weight	PVD mirror-finished stainless steel weights,
PCB	1.6mm thickness (without flex cut)
switch plate	Aluminum (black anodized finish)
battery	6000mAh
inner structure	4 typing configurations (3 gasket constructions + top mount),.
Muffled Layers	High quality Poron, IXPE, foam bottom foam
access method	USB-C wired connection
Main Features	Heavy-duty enclosure machined from a 4kg copper block, high acoustic performance, and
Price	$249.99 (from about 38,000 yen *depending on the rate)

*Key switches and key caps must be purchased separately for limited color kits.

contents

• Aluminum top cover (220 mesh warm silver) x 1
• Copper base 1.7 kg (transparent electroplated) x 1
• 1 PVD mirror polished stainless steel weight
• PVD nameplate on front and back x 1 each
• USB-C cable x 1
• Key Cap & Switch Puller x 1
• Limited gift box x 1
• 1 gray fabric keyboard bag

-Forms

• Poron foam 3.5mm x 1
• 8 X foam bottom foam 0.5mm x 1
• Poron switch pad 1mm x 1
• Poron bottom foam 1.5mm x 1
• Additional foam (1mm Poron bottom foam + 1mm Poron switch pad) x 1

Silicone and mounting accessories:.

• 4 structure mounts (3 gasket structures, top screw and washer) x 1
• User manual x 1

Review Environment

The review environment is as follows

• Connection environment: macOS
• Switch used: HMX Citrus Silver
• Layout: 65% ANSI layout
• Primary use: content writing (typing Japanese)

Evaluation of keystroke feel and keystroke sound

Advantages of WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition

An overwhelming sense of massiveness, carved from a 4kg copper block

The kit’s most distinctive feature is its 1.7 kg pure copper base enclosure.

A luxurious manufacturing process is used to shave more than 2.3 kg from a 4 kg copper block by CNC machining, and you can feel the difference in density and quality the moment you hold it in your hand.

Look at these looks.

I have rarely seen a keyboard with such a high quality feel.

This is a craft called a keyboard, a kind of tranquilizer that satisfies the desire for ownership.

Four “typing structures” that can be adjusted to your preference

One of the major advantages of this model would be that it has multiple mounting mechanisms to change the keystroke feel.

The following four mounting configurations can be selected to fine-tune the hardness and damping (damping) to the user’s preference.

Selectable mounting method

• Top-mounted (hardest hitting)
• Plate gasket
• PCB Gasket
• Sock gasket (attached to the ear of the switch plate) (softest)

This, combined with high-quality sound deadening materials such as Poron and IXPE, provides a very solid and satisfying keystroke feel.

The foam can be filled in for a more thocky sound, or removed for a more clacky sound that emphasizes the echoes of the metal enclosure.

In addition, the top mount provides a firm, hard bottoming sensation, while the gasket mount provides a cloud-like hitting sensation.

This ability to “dye it your own color” is a major attraction.

Furthermore, these can be changed immediately with a single touch, which is the result of the quick-release method.

Sophisticated design with PVD mirror finish

On the back are PVD mirror-finished stainless steel weights and an etched nameplate, giving this look a supreme sense of ownership.

Combined with the warm silver aluminum top cover, the understated yet luxurious look is truly amazing.

You can enjoy a sense of luxury even in areas that are not visible.

Cost-effective

From the general price consciousness of Japanese people for keyboards, this kit, which costs about 40,000 yen, is definitely perceived as “quite expensive.

However, from a keyboard enthusiast’s point of view, it is astounding that a keyboard with these specifications can be purchased at this price.

It is easy to imagine that if a luxury-oriented custom keyboard brand were to release a keyboard with these specifications, the selling price would probably be $500 or more.

WOBKEY is probably the reason we were able to achieve this price.

Disadvantages of WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition

Must be sold as a kit

The WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition is a DIY keyboard kit, not a finished product.

Soldering is not required, but you must take the parts out of the kit and assemble them yourself.

In addition, keycaps and key switches must be procured by the customer, so it is not suitable for those who want to use the product immediately after purchase.

In other words, this is like a plastic model, and it is a product that can be satisfied only when purchased by those who are particular about the keyboard as their own tool.

Anyway, it’s heavy.

This is no longer the weight of the keyboard.

In other words, it is a lump of metal.

It is such a blunt instrument that even the thought of carrying it around does not occur to you, so you must be prepared to buy it.

Relatively expensive for a keyboard

This is a keyboard that is probably “super expensive” from the perspective of the average keyboard user, but from the perspective of keyboard fans, it is a keyboard in the “maybe a little expensive” price range.

I personally think it is too cheap considering the cosmetics, but it is difficult to judge.

WOBKEY ZEN 65 Limited Edition Review

Let’s take a look at a picture of the actual keyboard.

The box is quite large, although the size is a bit hard to convey.

The sides are colored in bright orange, and the overall design is outstanding.

The box has a very exciting appearance.

The design is superb, as if it were the contour lines of a mountain.

The magnetic flap lid opens to reveal a two-layered structure.

On the upper level is a box containing PCBs, switch plates, etc., and the keyboard in its own case is located below it.

When the case is opened, the keyboard is wrapped in a high-quality cloth.

From within the cloth emerges a brass keyboard clad in a divine champagne gold frame.

…Let’s suppress our eagerness and take a look at the accessories first.

The standard version has flex-cut PCBs, but these are non-flex-cut.

The PCB has a pogo pin connection as is typical of WOBKEY, and there are no cables of any kind.

The daughter board, housed inside a brass bottom case, is connected through these pogo pins.

PCB surface.

Only CapsLock allows multiple layouts, the rest are standard layouts.

The stabilizer is a switch plate mount type, so there are no holes on the PCB.

Space bar size is standard 6.25u.

Let’s look at the case.

The case has a three-piece construction, with the top case machined from CNC aluminum in a champagne gold color.

The bottom case is machined from copper.

It looks as if it is being carved out of a whopping 4kg lump.

The bottom case alone weighs 1.7 kg after shaving.

The standard version has an aluminum CNC bottom case + brass sound cavity, but this is probably all one-piece molded red bronze.

A removable icon charm is attached next to the right side arrow key.

The machining precision of the case is very high, and the painting and surface treatment are first class.

The top case has a magnetic structure that snaps into place with a mechanism similar to the ball-catching structure in the bottom case.

Only a Type-C insertion slot on the back.

PVD mirror polished stainless steel weight and etched name plate on bottom.

They are designed to provide understated elegance and increased stability.

Remove the logoed lid to reveal the dongle storage case.

summary

This is my review of the Limited Edition of the WOBKEY ZEN65.

It is currently out of stock and only the regular line is available, but it will be a must-buy when it is restocked.

Especially for those who are already using ZEN65, this is an opportunity to get a higher grade ZEN65.

If you have a chance, please give it a try.

You can also review the regular version.