Software

There is no dedicated software driver support for the Akko 3108v2 King Koi—all functionality is hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine the Software and Performance pages into one.

Performance

The keyboard supports the typical NKRO in USB wired mode, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and unlike most mechanical keyboards today, the right Win key is not replaced by an Fn key. Instead, the Menu key is replaced by the Fn key, which doesn't change much for most people, I imagine.


The included manual does a decent job going over the functionality programmed into the keyboard, of which there is actually more than you would think. It does talk about backlighting as well, but that only means this manual is shared across a few different Akko keyboards since that is clearly not a feature here. As seen before, the 3108v2 King Koi has dedicated volume controls as well as a calculator key, and we have media playback and a few other functionality shortcuts tied into the Fn row. Additionally, holding Fn + Win for three seconds toggles Win lock, and you can do a factory reset by holding down both Win keys for the same period of time.


Means for key mapping other functions are missing, but there is on-the-fly macro recording, which the company calls Akko Macro V1.0. Holding down Fn + L. Win for 3 seconds initiates macro mode, although there is no visual indication of this. Fn + Esc then starts the recording process, which means Fn, Esc, and both Win keys can't be assigned macros. The manual again goes over the process, but pressing Fn + the desired key next clears the previously assigned function, and the recording is then written over. Repeating the steps in reverse closes it, and you can of course clear macros and go back to the default programming. I wish there were onboard profiles to make this process more practical, but this does mean you can assign the calculator key a macro if you prefer to be more creative.


As we saw before, the Akko 3108v2 King Koi comes in several switch options from Akko and and Cherry. One of the reasons I went with this keyboard was to compare it to the Monet's Pond keyboard from before, but the other was that the latter used the Gateron Pink on my sample and I was curious about Akko's first-party switches. I hence asked for the Akko Pink with the King Koi to further compare to the Gateron Pink. As it turns out, Gateron manufactures these Akko switches, so the Akko first-generation Pink is quite similar to the Gateron Pink. This is a linear switch that behaves similarly to the Cherry MX Red as well, with a rated actuation travel of 1.9 mm and total travel of 4.0 mm. Rated actuation force is 45 gf, and based on a test done using a tension gauge and 20 randomly chosen switches, peak force when bottoming out is closer to 60 gf. This makes for fairly light actuation and more deliberate bottoming out. The used springs are also different thus, and the slider is self-lubricating. This typically means there is no hand-applied lube, but it remains a really smooth switch, and typing on the Akko Pink is probably one of the best linear switch experiences I have had to date, just like with the Gateron Pink. For those curious, Akko rates this switch at a lifetime of 50 million keystrokes, which is plenty enough for consumer switches.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Akko 3108v2 King Koi keyboard sample at ~110 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Akko Pink switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out, and you can see what I meant by some of the down strokes causing light reverberations with the mostly empty plastic case. The lubed stabilizers help somewhat with the rattle associated with cheaper implementations. Also, the sound signature is quieter, and I personally think it sounds better than with the typical MX Red style switches, including the original. You may or may not agree, however, and as seen before, modding the switches and stabilizers isn't that easy on this keyboard..