The High65 V2 is an in-stock aluminium 65% keyboard which comes pre-built in two colour options along with two switch options. As the name suggests, the High65 V2 is the second version of the Createkeebs High65 but this is in collaboration with EPOMAKER. The High65 V2 retails for a lower cost of US$279, and comes fully built. Despite being marked as a V2, the High65 V2 only has one mounting option which is gasket mounting.
Tech specs
| Dimensions | 331 x 113 x 39 mm |
| Weight | 1.5kg |
| Mounting type | Gasket-mounted with Poron foams |
| Plate | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| PCB | 1.6mm ANSI Hotswap wired PCB (Support 3-pin and 5-pin switches) |
| Software | VIA |
| Included Keycaps | Cherry profile PBT |
| Stabilizers | Screw-in |
| Included foams | – PCB PORON Foam – IXPE Switch Sheet – Socket adhesive Foam – Bottom Case foam |
Unboxing
Below is what you’ll get in the package from the EPOMAKER High65 V2:
- High65 V2 keyboard
- Braided USB-C cable
- Keycap puller
The included USB cable is rather cool and useful as the USB-C portion magnetically attaches to the cable, allowing you to quickly disconnect the keyboard. If you’re familiar with MagSafe on MacBooks, it works the same.
Build quality and design
The High65 V2 comes in two colour options – (1) dark grey, or (2) retro white. The unit I have is the dark grey option, which is anodized compared to the retro white’s e-coating. Anodization quality is pretty good, the grey has a blue-ish grey tint to it.
In terms of size, the High65 V2 is slightly longer than a usual 65% keyboard as it uses a 2.25u right Shift instead of the usual 1.75u. This pushes out the arrow cluster and creates an exploded layout for the two extra keys on the top right, which is similar to the Leopold FC660C layout.
The High65 V2 has a relatively simple and clean design style, with some unique elements of rounded chamfers and dual seam lines running along the perimeter of the board. The 6mm bezels allow for a useful LED Caps Lock indicator which lights up when activated. The High65 V2 has a centered USB port.
High65 V2 also features a small aluminium badge at the back to a little character to the overall aesthetic. Small thing to note is that the badge moves a bit in its enclosure causing a sound when you move the keyboard around. Not a deal breaker but just something that makes it feel a little cheap.
The keycaps that come with the High65 V2 are made from PBT plastic in cherry profile. The legends are dye-sublimated and are designed to offer a retro look. Personally I’m not a fan of such legends, but of course this is highly subjective to personal preference. No spare keycaps are provided if you want to remove the accent colouring.
Typing acoustics & experience
The High65 V2 is a gasket mounted board. The PCB and plate assembly sits on the bottom case with the poron gaskets making contact, and utilises a daughterboard connection. The poron gaskets are a little thin, but still manages to provide a decent amount of flex. The flex is on the subtle side where you get a gentler typing experience, but not something that you would feel on each key press.
The High65 V2 uses a lot of foams in the build. There are 2 layers of bottom case foam to help with any hollowness. Then there is a thin PE foam that sits on the PCB, before the switches are mounted. This is famous PE foam mod that can create a marbly thocc sound profile. Lastly, there is a plate foam that sits between the plate and PCB. The switches included in the build is the Gateron Baby Kangaroo, which are a tactile switch which bottoms out at 59g.
Overall, the stock sound is impressive for a pre-built keyboard. The sound profile is one that swings more towards the lower frequencies. I would say it’s like a 30% clack + 70% thock kind of sound profile. The use of the case foams and plate foam helped with cleaning up the overall sound, removing any potential thinness. There is no hint of ping at all as well. The stock typing experience is good enough to start using as it is if you’re aren’t too picky. As linear switch user, I actually quite liked the feel of the Baby Kangaroo as it feels snappy and the bump isn’t too harsh. You can take a listen of the stock sound test below. The recording sounds a little more clacky than in real life.
If you want the sound have a little more pop to it, then I suggest you can remove the thin sheet of PE foam. I’d recommend keeping the case foam as without it I can start hearing some hollowness on bottoming out. The stock stabilisers are pretty decent. They are not heavily ticking, but could use some extra lube to
VIA support
EPOMAKER advertises that the High65 V2 is VIA programmable, but do note that it is not officially supported. Having said that, you can still use VIA to its full functionality as long as you drag the JSON file which EPOMAKER provides to the Design tab of VIA (you have to unhide the tab in Settings).
You should keep the JSON file handy on your PC as VIA will sometimes not recognise the High65 V2 and you then have to drag the JSON file in again.
Conclusion
The High65 V2 is targeted at people who wants to tryout a custom keyboard but don’t want to go through to hassle of building and modding. With an estimated switches and keycaps cost at $59, this means a barebones High65 V2 would be around $220, which is not exactly the cheapest option out there in the market. At the $279, there is definitely some convenience premium here of getting it fully built and sounding great right out of the box.