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Aug 24, 2023

Meletrix Zoom75 Review: Affordable Excellence

Christopher Coke Updated: May 10, 2023 4:35 PM Posted: May 10, 2023 4:00 PM

Christopher Coke Updated: May 10, 2023 4:35 PM Posted: May 10, 2023 4:00 PM ET Category: Hardware Reviews 0

The Zoom75 is the latest custom keyboard kit from the team at Meletrix, a sub-brand of the esteemed Wuque Studios. With its Zoom line-up, it has released several keyboards, each challenging exactly what kind of quality you should expect from an entry-level keyboard. With the Zoom75, the price may affordable, but it's anything but an entry-level custom keyboard.

In fact, for our money, this is the hands-down best custom keyboard you can find at this price. Featuring a CNC-milled aluminum case, a huge array of customization options, gasket mounting, a modular ecosystem that even includes a built-in LCD screen and more. Starting at $189, this is absolutely a keyboard you won't want to miss.

Meletrix started its journey with the goal of delivering high quality keyboard kits at affordable prices. The original Zoom65 was great and absolutely delivered on that goal, even including switches and keycaps. Since then, we’ve seen the second version of that keyboard come out, as well as the outstanding Zoom TKL. Every release has been better than the last, and that continues to be the case with the Zoom75. I want to avoid sounding hyperbolic, but this is genuinely one of the absolute best keyboards you can get for the money in just about every single way.

Let's start with the basics. This is a 75% keyboard, which means it removes the numpad and navigation and editing cluster, pushing those nav keys into a single column, but keeps a full function row and set of arrows keys. It's a middle-ground layout that balances gaming and ergonomics with the added keys necessary for productivity. On the Zoom75, there are three navigation buttons just above the arrows with the option to add two more above that, extending the function row. Or use a screen. Or add a badge. Or add a knob.

That upper right section of the keyboard has been made modular. When you purchase the kit, you can select which modules you would like to be included, encompassing all of those options above. The screen is easily the most iconic and what I suspect most people will choose. It sets the keyboard apart in a very interesting way and, once the customization app is done, should prove to be genuinely useful.

Right now, the screen just hints at what is to come but it's not up and running. There are sections to view your GPU and CPU stats, the weather, your typing speed, instant messaging app statuses (including Discord), as well as a couple of custom animations which points to being able to load your own (we’ll have to see when the app is out). By default, it shows your Lock statuses and the current layer you’re on for typing keys.

The Zoom75 also has every other key feature you would hope for in a great custom keyboard.

These features bring us to what I consider a baseline for this type of keyboard, but it sets itself apart with its incredible customization. The Zoom75 comes with 15 separate color options for the case, nine separate weight colors, finishes and materials with matching knobs for each, and thirteen different backplates. If you opt for the badge module, there are also 16 different badges to choose from. There are also limited Special Edition kits that include four anodized aluminum cases with chamfered edges for extra flair (we were sent an SE version in black, but white, lavender, and orange were also options).

That variety applies internally, too. There are a half dozen different plate materials to choose from (aluminum, carbon fiber, POM, polycarbonate, brass, and FR4). You can choose a flex cut or non-flex cut PCB (RGB and non-RGB) wired only or tri-mode (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and wired). You can add an extra internal stainless steel weight for more heft and shifted acoustics. Each keyboard comes with a full foam kit that consists of plate foam, PCB foam, PE switch foam, and case foam. You can use all of it or none of it or pick and choose to achieve your desired sound and feel.

Unless you’re dedicated to your USB cable, I would highly recommend opting for the tri-mode PCB. Unlike much of the competition, the wireless PCB still supports key remapping and macro programming with VIA, so you’re not trading functionality to cut the cord. Just as importantly, this is the first Meletrix keyboard that supports 2.4GHz wireless, so you can connect wirelessly at 1000Hz — 1ms of response time. That puts it on par with most wired gaming keyboards in responsiveness.

The Zoom75 uses the same gasket mounting structure as the Zoom TKL and Promise87, and that works to its benefit. Rather than use adhesive PORON strips, it uses soft foam strips that slide onto tabs on the plate. It's easy to apply and seemingly impossible to do wrong. Once it's built, the combination of these gaskets and the flex cuts lead to a very soft typing experience that moves under each keystroke.

Turning to the kit we were sent, our sample was the Black SE version. It uses a full stainless steel back with a silver weight in the middle, both PVD coated and polished to a mirror finish. There are gold chamfers around the key areas which casts a halo around the keycaps. There's also a gold in-filled telescope engraving above the arrow keys to match the chamfers. The anodization job is perfect to my eye and the mirrored back was flawless. The mix of black, gold, and silver is gorgeous.

The fully built keyboard is heavy and can be a bit difficult to pick up. A bit more angularity to the side profile would have helped. I also wish that Meletrix had included some kind of protective sheet over the mirrored back. It fingerprints immediately, which comes with the territory, but scratches are a concern. These same things apply to the glass backed version, though to a lesser degree.

The keyboard comes with everything you’ll need except for switches and keycaps, including an excellent set of screw-in stabilizers and a nice travel case. The stabilizers come lightly pre-lubed with the ends of the wires wrapped in TPU plastic. With just a touch more lube, there's no rattle whatsoever, so you don't need to worry about holee modding the stems.

The Zoom75 is currently in pre-order stage with shipping planned to occur between July and August after production completes. It can be ordered from the following vendors:

Assembling the Zoom75 isn't difficult if you’ve built a keyboard before but could be more challenging for first time builders. The basics are the same. You should always begin by lubing your switches and stabilizers. The included stabilizers are excellent and the TPU wrapping on the wires saves a good amount of time you would otherwise spend modding the stems. For our build, I used Wuque Studios’ new Morandi switches, which are pre-lubed.

Assembling the PCB and plate setup is very straightforward. You begin by applying PE foam if you plan to use it, then screw in the stabilizers, add plate foam, place the plate and fasten as necessary, then install switches. With that done, the gasket strips can be slid onto the tabs on the outside of the plate. Then, flip it over and apply the PCB foam.

With that done, you can begin prepping the case. The screws are hidden beneath the silicone feet, which is great for a seamless look and the longevity of the feet. The USB daughterboard comes pre-installed, so there's no need to fasten it in place. If you have the tri-mode PCB, you’ll then install the battery pack. This may require removing the bottom weight if yours came installed like mine did. Add case foam if you plan to use it.

From there, you need to install the module you chose into the upper right of the top case. There are tapped holes for alignment, but take care that things are properly positioned and aligned before completely fastening it down.

Here's where things get a bit trickier. The USB daughterboard, battery, and module all need to be plugged into the back of the PCB and each of the cables feels only just long enough to get this done. It requires holding the PCB and case rather awkwardly and trying to plug each in as straight as possible. In short, it's a pain but is doable with a little patience.

With that done, everything can be screwed back together and you’re good to begin adding keycaps to finish the build.

The Meletrix Zoom75 is simply fantastic. When I first built it, I used WS Kraken keycaps and all of the foams. WS Krakens are excellent doubleshot PBT keycaps with crisp legends, thick walls, and a deep, thocky sound signature. The mix of black, deep gray, and blue matched the keyboard well. With this setup, the sound signature was deep and poppy with a slightly muted quality due to all of the foam. The typing experience was firmer because of the foam too.

I changed course. I removed all of the switches, took out the PE foam, and just went with plate and PCB foams. I swapped keycaps to PBTFans Golden Katakana, which are also thick and textured, but have a different color scheme which I thought jived well with the rest of the keyboard.

This is a keyboard that does not need PE foam to sound good. Not at all. In fact, I prefer the sound without PE — and I say this as someone who still enjoys that foamy pop it brings. Without it, the acoustics are softer and more rounded. The word "gentler" comes to mind. It is the first affordable keyboard I’ve used in quite a while that I think genuinely sounds better with less foam. That's a testament to how well designed it is.

In the video below, you can see the keyboard for yourself, hear how it sounds, and get an idea of the functionality of the screen.

The feel of the keyboard is just as good. Removing the case foam, there's a good amount of movement that occurs beneath your fingers when typing. It's not enough to be distracting but that bit of flex leads to an eminently soft typing experience. It is even moreso with the PCB foam removed, but I personally preferred the sound with it installed and am happy with the result.

My lone gripes with the keyboard really come down to two things. First, it's difficult to pick up. It's not an issue if you’re sliding it on a mousepad, but trying to get it out of the travel case is a challenge. Second, when the battery is charging, a bright green light flashes by the Fn button. I wish there were a way to turn this off because it definitely is bright enough to distract. It does turn off when the battery is fully charged, however.

The Meletrix Zoom75 is outstanding. At this point in my mechanical keyboard journey, I’ve tested keyboards that are double its price and don't feel or sound as good. It's one of the absolute best you can find at this price point. If you’ve been considering building your own, this makes for a tremendous starting point that should last you many years into the future. It's also better than any prebuilt gaming keyboard I’ve ever used, and now that it supports 2.4GHz wireless, it's fully capable of competitive play too. Don't sleep on the Meletrix Zoom75.

The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.

Chris cut his teeth on MMOs in the late 90s with text-based MUDs. He's written about video games for many different sites but has made MMORPG his home since 2013. Today, he acts as Hardware and Technology Editor, lead tech reviewer, and continues to love and write about games every chance he gets. Follow him on Twitter: @GameByNight