Lighting and Performance

The Akko Black&Gold 3098B supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. This was also the case with the keyboard in 2.4 GHz wireless, and it switched to the expected 6KRO with Bluetooth 5.0. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and above are all the functions that get dedicated keys on the base layer. Six keys are "lost" from the 104-key US ANSI full-size form factor thus, with 98 keys remaining, as the name indicates. As per usual these days, the R. Win key is replaced by an Fn key, which is why there are seven grayed-out keys in the image above.


This happens to be my first Akko keyboard with RGB LEDs, or any LEDs associated with the switches, let alone the software control over them. As such, I was eager to see how well it works given the combination of north-facing LEDs, opaque keycaps, and lack of any dedicated hardware LED drivers on the PCB. As it turns out, the integrated hardware LED controller with the USB microcontroller is in itself not a big limitation, allowing a lot of the usually seen static, dynamic, and even reactive lighting effects. The latter also has two specific modes tied to ambient sound picked up by a microphone on the PCB, and seen above is the keyboard lit up in some effects. To test for color fidelity, I used the software program to change all LEDs to white, or at least as close as it would get. The result is above average with just a light touch of pink, and the opaque keycaps quench light bleed well. Primarily, the Black&Gold 3098B uses the LEDs for form instead of function, with but some minor functionality as specific keys light up to indicate the different connectivity modes, layers, and so on as listed in the manual.


Onboard functionality is quite strong, with the manual going over the pre-programmed layers for Windows and macOS, in addition to lighting control and Bluetooth pairing and device selection. Various hotkeys are associated with keys, which adds more functionality with shortcuts to commonly used programs and brings back some of the missing discrete functions on this 95% keyboard. Macros and key mapping via software also adds to this on different layers, and makes this a good keyboard without many compromises when typing. Using it in the wireless modes is very easy, too, especially with the USB dongle for 2.4 GHz connectivity, which is plug-and-play, although you may want to use Bluetooth for increased battery life. It is on the order of weeks with no backlighting, and only a few hours with the default lighting effects that turn off after some time of inactivity, as does the keyboard itself. Missing is a battery-life indicator, which seems like an oversight. There is no fast charging either, so it's an overnight affair when you do get to it.


The Akko Black&Gold 3098B, and any other Akko 3098B as this is written, is available in three Akko CS mechanical switches. The Akko 3098N uses TTC switches instead, so that's something to consider if you prefer those. I have the CS Jelly White switches on this sample, which is a light linear switch that actuates at just 35 +/-5 gf and the usual ~1.9 mm of travel. But what makes it extremely prone to bottoming out is the peak force of just ~45 gf at 4 mm, meaning that long spring has a low Hook's constant that just collapses after a certain point. It's not my favorite switch, and one of the more budget-oriented switches with some wobble. It's not gritty in any way, but I imagine lubing will help a lot—the pre-lubed stabilizers certainly add merit to that hypothesis.


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 Black&Gold 3098 keyboard sample at ~110 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Akko CS Jelly White switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I of course bottomed out every single time, which isn't surprising. The rest of the keyboard built around these switches improves the typing feel and sound signature as best as it can, but it ultimately still is a high-pitched sound, with the primary sound the switches bottoming out on the steel plate. This also means the silicone and foam sheets dampen the rest out convincingly, and it makes for a typing experience that will suit gaming and fast typing without it becoming physically fatiguing over time.