Createkeebs recently released the Luminkey80, one of the best pre-built mechanical keyboards you can buy today. We went back in its catalog to explore one of its customs, the Thera75 V2. Nautical-themed and highly customizable, this is an in-stock keyboard you won’t want to miss.
Specifications
Current Price: $305 (Createkeebs)
Createkeebs Thera75 V2 - Design and Key Features
Inspired by the Greek island of Thera (now Santorini), the Createkeebs Thera75 was one of the company’s most popular custom keyboard kits and the V2 takes what people loved about the original and runs with it. It’s a 75% DIY custom mechanical keyboard kit with a compact layout that splits the difference between gaming and productivity thanks to its function row, arrow keys, and navigation and editing cluster while still coming in smaller than a traditional TKL. It’s highly customizable and offers the kind of typing experience you just cannot find in the world of pre-built mechanical keyboards.
That line, however, is getting much closer. If you’ve followed this market for a while, you’ve surely noticed that companies like Createkeebs are applying the lessons they’ve learned from custom keyboard kits like the Thera75 V2 are applying them to affordable pre-built options like the Luminkey80. What you’re getting here is a higher level of craftsmanship, more customization options when building, more options at checkout, and a final result that is more uniquely your own (and in my opinion a step above in sound and feel). As with everything in this hobby, though, it’s subjective, and I’m quite sure that Createkeebs would be happy for you to consider its ready-out-of-the-box option with the Luminkey80 if you’re not ready to dive into the deep pools of DIY custom keyboards.
Back to the Thera75 V2. The keyboard is available in three colors currently: Navy Blue, Light Blue, Silver, and Grey. These finishes are all anodized for improved reliability compared to cheaper, spray-coated alternatives, and the anodization was done impeccably on my sample. While the group buy provided more options overall, you can choose from a polycarbonate (PC) or carbon fiber (CF) plate and a hot-swap or solderable PCB. Both plates are available in plate-mount or PCB-mount stabilizer types, which is a rather unique option to see.
These two options allow you to lean toward a deeper, thockier sound (PC) or a higher-pitched clackier sound (CF). One is included by default but you can pick the other up as an extra for an additional $25 and give yourself more build options down the road.
The case also comes with a variety of options for its rear weight and the included badge. Around the back of the case, you’ll see a slot for a weight inspired by ancient Greek architecture. This weight is available in mirror-finished PVD stainless steel in silver, black, or chroma, or non-mirrored chroma.
In the upper right of the key cluster is an optional badge. By default, you’ll receive a matching badge for the color you choose, but there are a number of different options you can purchase as extras. Just note that the rudder knob is sadly sold out.
The keyboard can be mounted in three different ways: gasket-mount, top-mount, or plateless. The gasket mount implementation uses silicone gasket socks that fit onto tabs on the PCB, so there’s no adhesive to worry about during the build process. This also allows you to ignore the plate altogether for the most flex and pure switch sound possible. Top mount, on the other hand, provides the least flex but the most consistent sound across the keyboard and a firmer typing overall. Again, it’s subjective, and this array of build options allows you to dial in the sound and feel that’s preferable to you.
The PCB is also stripped with flex cuts, though the plates do not. I don’t mind flex cuts, but it would have been great to see a PCB offered without them for this release — though when it debuted, the meta was definitely more in line with flex cutting everything. For my version, I taped these off with PTFE tape, preserving flex and increasing the keyboard’s volume and fullness.
Createkeebs provides a large pack of foams to support the sound and feel of the build you’re looking for. You have two different thicknesses of case foams, two different thicknesses of plate foams, rear PCB foam, IXPE switch foam, and battery compartment foam. All of these are optional with the exception of the thicker plate foam, which I highly recommend using for a plateless hot-swap build to stabilize the switches while typing.
Do note that like most custom keyboards, you’ll need to bring your own switches, keycaps, and stabilizers. While that might seem foreign to new keyboard builders, this is very much the norm so that you can decide exactly how your keyboard looks, feels, and sounds. If you want to save yourself some searching, Createkeebs has PBT keycaps sets available which match each case, as well as its own excellent SOTC switches I first used on the Wind Studio Sin65. Createkeebs provided both to me for this review, so what I build here will amount to the “full Createkeebs” Thera75 V2 if you wanted to pick everything up at once.
Createkeebs also provides a wide array of accessories to support your build. You have all of the hardware, as well as some extras (including a second USB daughterboard), all housed within a second travel case. I have to say that I love this. Accidents happen, screws get stripped, things get lost, and things get broken. Having all of these extras is very consumer friendly and lends some peace of mind that you’ll still be in good shape if something unexpected happens. Plus, after it’s built, you have a whole second case to protect another keyboard!
Createkeebs Thera75 V2 - Assembly
Assembling the Thera75 V2 will depend on exactly how you plan to build it. Many of the steps remain the same but if you’re building with a top mount configuration, you’ll be screwing the PCB assembly into the top case instead of resting it on the bottom. Likewise, if you’re building plateless, you’ll just skip that step and be sure to use the thicker layer of plate foam.
The process begins like all custom mechanical keyboards by preparing your switches and stabilizers. With that done, you’ll want to lay down your PE foam if you’re using it and install the stabilizers. If you prefer to use stand-offs to support installing switches, you can screw those into place now. Next, lay down the plate foam, again if you’re using it, the plate, and press the switches into place. You can then move on to adding gasket tabs if you’re using them or screwing the PCB assembly into the top case using the included screws.
Put that piece to the side and screw the USB daughterboard into place. Next, position your chosen bottom weight into the slot (leaving the protective plastic on its face) and screw it into place from the inside of the case using the three included screws. Add the foam into the battery compartment and add any case foam that you would like. Attach the ribbon cable from the daughterboard to the back.
You can then put both halves of the keyboard together and fasten. Add keycaps and you’re done.
Createkeebs Thera75 V2 - Typing and Gaming Impressions
The Thera75 V2 is a unique keyboard in that the sound and feel can change a lot depending on how it’s built. It’s a keyboard that, in my opinion, benefits a lot from foam. I built mine using thin case foam, thin plate foam, and PE foam. I also used a traditional gasket mount implementation. The resulting sound is deep and thocky with an enjoyable amount of flex to the typing experience.
Despite using PE foam, the keyboard doesn’t have the overwhelming “marble” sound that IXPE usually brings about. I think this really has to do with the mounting structure and other foam configuration you use. I tried multiple switches with this build (including IQUNIX Moonstone switches, which are notoriously and wonderfully poppy) and there was a unique signature here that was definitely deeper than on many other mechanical keyboards.
I’m very pleased with the aesthetics of the keyboard. I’m a bit bummed that the rotary encoder is no longer available since having the ship’s wheel gives it some extra unique character but the badge looks great, in my opinion, and I really like the half-hidden anchor.
The included keycaps also match perfectly. You would expect this, of course, but I have to say that they look better in person than they do in photos; I was originally unsure about the color scheme, but now that I have it in front of me, I really like it.
The weight on the back is very subdued. I almost wish that Createkeebs had gone a bit bigger with its aesthetic weight. It’s not something you’ll see very often but it’s an important part of a high-end keyboard like this. It seems silly to outsiders but picking up your keyboard, admiring what you’ve built, showing it to other people who may be interested, these are all core to the hobby after the project is complete. I like it, but I like it enough to want something more bold in this same theme. It definitely fits the Greek theme very well.
One of the suggestions I would make to Createkeebs for a future version would be to implement some kind of force break mod into its design. Without any bottom foam, the typing sound has a resonance that can make the keyboard sound hollow. The result is that it feels like it needs bottom foam or to apply a mod like this yourself. Adding the thin case foam genuinely is not a big deal; there’s still plenty of flex, but the bounciest experience is without any at all or plateless.
Have a look and listen for yourself below:
Final Thoughts
Overall, however, I think Createkeebs did a wonderful job with this keyboard. It feels like a particularly rich package with lots of add-ons and accessories and you have a lot of options for really dialing in its sound and feel to match your taste. At $305, it’s right in the middle ground of the custom mechanical keyboard hobby but you get what you pay for here. The end result is a keyboard that looks and sounds great, and is especially so because you’ll have configured it more than most others to match exactly what you’re looking for in a mechanical keyboard. Createkeebs truly knows its stuff and that’s crystal clear with the Thera75 V2.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
