You wo n’t err the Asus ROG Azoth Extreme for any other keyboard . Even before you bring down the black tape holding the corner closed , you ’ll know that you ’re get a premium product .
From unbox to setup to the first key stroke , the Azoth Extreme feels like thebest gaming keyboardAsus has ever made — and at a price of $ 500 , it bloody well well be . You could pick up anRTX 4070orRX 7800 XTgraphics carte du jour for that much . This is the Extreme version of an already expensive gaming keyboard , which makes it palpate more like a gewgaw than a halo intersection .
Theoriginal ROG Azothwas a major step forwards for mainstream keyboards , and although the Azoth Extreme does n’t take that same bluff step , it up the ante on the original design in just about every manner . This is the near I ’ve seen a mainstream keyboard get to the niche enthusiast selection , and with some unmortgaged advantages in tow . But when your keyboard costs as much as a in high spirits - end nontextual matter poster , it ’s heavy to rationalise the cost .
A premium fit
The Azoth Extreme looks very similar to the original Azoth , but with just enough flourishes to set it aside . For starters , you ’re commence a 75 % layout , which is the favourite layout of enthusiast keyboards , from the magnificent GMMK Pro to theMeletrix Boog75 . The big change here compare to the master is a amply atomic number 13 cuticle . The keyboard is still tell apart into two piece , but Asus is using aluminum all around the consistency now .
It may sound like a few minor enhancive changes , but the original Azoth feels like a plaything next to the Azoth Extreme . This version is virtually twice as a fleshy . It comes in at 4.9 pounds while the original was 2.6 pounds . There ’s clear high-pitched - quality materials at study with the Azoth Extreme , both externally and internally .
Internally , you ’re pose a carbon character shift photographic plate , along with three layer of sound moistening . There are two layer of Poron foam between the transposition plate and PCB , as well as an additional silicone pad under the PCB . If you need a softer typewriting smell and a different sound profile , you could remove the silicon tablet as well .
Although the changes internally are big , there are some international differences as well . Most notably , Asus admit two lot of metal feet , replace the plastic tab key you ’ll find on the original Azoth . These are magnetic , and you ’ll have to click them in severally , but you unquestionably wo n’t accidentally flick them off .
Asus also include a large silicone polymer wrist rest , which was one of the cardinal omissions from the original design . you’re able to always buy an aftermarket radiocarpal joint quietus , but the one Asus include is deep and goodly . It ’s not magnetised , but it feel magnetic with how effortlessly it conforms to the designing of the Azoth Extreme and stay firmly shut up in place .
Going above and beyond
The first matter you ’ll notice on the Azoth Extreme is the new OLED video display . Unlike the original design , it ’s a full - color OLED , which defaults to a brassy ROG animation that shows you what it ’s capable of . I ’m enfold the OLED showing into this plane section on features because it actually bring additional functionality to the Azoth Extreme . That ’s because it ’s an OLED touch screen .
Through Asus ’ Armoury Crate software , you ’re devote a handful of categories — animation , date and clock time , laptop computer electric battery , hardware data , and keystroke per 2nd ( KPS ) . you may swipe through different displays in these category using the OLED exhibit . For example , the hardware information allows you to go through C.P.U. temperature , frequency , and potential drop , all without poking back into Armoury Crate .
join the main screen are a list of indicators on both sides of the video display , which show detail like your battery life , connection status , and if you have caps lock in on or not . A double hydrant dismisses these indicator . On the right side , you ’ll also see an image exhibit what the control knob on the side of the keyboard is adjusting .
Like the original Azoth , this knob unlock mass medium controls , light fitting , and lighting personal effects direct on the keyboard . squeeze the side of the knob will pedal through the different options , and there are controls for push the top of the knob , flick it up , and flicking it down .
The OLED screen door is not bad , but what really stand out on the Azoth Extreme is the adjustable gasket . There ’s a toggle switch on the bottom of the keyboard that will flip-flop between a lenient or more stiff typing flavor . The difference is astonishingly elusive , but you ’ll point out it after using the keyboard for an extended point of sentence . I started with the intemperate mise en scene while playing game , appreciating the more responsive feel , but after slamming aside at the keyboard for a few hours while typing , I switch to the more comfortable mild setting . You could never come to the on/off switch and the Azoth Extreme holds up , but if you ’re tuned into the subtle differences in feel — particularly if you ’re switching between gaming and typing a wad — the adjustable gasket take in a dispute .
The adjustable gasket and OLED presentation take shopping centre phase , but there are a couple of smaller feature here , too . The Azoth Extreme debuts Asus ’ cooking stove extender , which takes an Omni receiver and enables an 8,000Hz polling pace wirelessly . You do n’t need an 8,000Hz polling rate , but I ’m glad to see it here considering the price of the Azoth Extreme . In improver , Asus bunch up in a consecrated Copilot key fruit . This is the first play keyboard I ’ve see with the Copilot key , which is mapped to add up co-pilot out of the box . If you do n’t wish about Microsoft ’s AI supporter , Asus include an superfluous keycap in the box , and you’re able to rebind the key in Armoury Crate .
A perfect feel
It should n’t come as a surprise , but the Azoth Extreme feel splendid . It feel even better than the Azoth , and it ’s the first play keyboard I ’ve tried that could easily replace my Meletrix Boog75 for extended typing seance . What stood out most was the adjustable gasket , however . I retrieve this would be a set it and forget it feature , but I find oneself myself switching between the different modes constantly depending on if I was typing or play .
Again , the Azoth Extreme would still finger great without the adjustable gasket , but you start picking up on subtle differences after using one mode or the other for several hours . It ’s not the effect you exercise on the keys to type , or even the auditory sensation you get when slamming aside . The adjustable gasket impacts the feeling in between . It sit somewhere between when you press the key and when it bottoms out , and your fingerbreadth lento go to pick up on the difference between the two modes .
As with the original Azoth , you ’re free to customize the keyboard to your liking . you could replace the keycaps , of course of instruction , but the key switches are also hot - swappable . I commonly swap in some Akko Wine Red switches , but I really did n’t need to on the Azoth Extreme . My reassessment whole came with Asus ROG NX Snow switch , which are a linear substitution that debuted on theAsus ROG Strix Scope II 96 . They feel great , and a giving part of that comes down to the fact that they ’re lubricated out of the boxful .
Asus also offers its NX Storm switch , which is a much heavier tactile selection . I was n’t able to essay this switch , but it also comes lubricated from the manufacturing plant . no matter of which swap you choose , they habituate a box - style prow , reduce key wobble .
The included cap also work to boil down wobble . They come with a short stem turn , allowing the switch to fill the full space inside the keycap . Even with that , I would swap these keycaps out . Asus habituate a textured finish on the top of the keycap that I do n’t love , especially after months of using a set of premium Osume keycaps .
The keycaps for sure are n’t bad , though . They ’re three-fold - shot PBT , so they should hold up for a farsighted fourth dimension , and they have transparent legends to let the per - central RGB ignition shine through . Asus also reduced the size of the conjure up index on the W tonality , which has been a consistent annoyance onprevious Asus keyboard .
Between two gasket modes , a long ton of good dampening , premium switches , stabilizer , and the carbon copy fiber electrical switch home , the Azoth Extreme is about as premium as it baffle . The real chronicle here is customization , however . You get an unbelievable foundation with the Azoth Extreme , and it will help just about any permutation and keycaps sing .
Going wireless
One of the major features of the original Azoth was wireless . Prior to that point , it was strong to find such a premium play keyboard that supported low - latency radiocommunication . That remains straight today , though keyboards like theKeychron Q1 HEhave started to shut the gap . irrespective , radio is a major selling point of the Azoth Extreme .
The keyboard supports 2.4GHz wireless with the include Asus Omni receiver , as well as Bluetooth with up to three pair twist . While you ’re commove , you may start the keyboard in pumped-up mode as well . Asus includes its extender in the boxful for an 8,000Hz polling pace , though you ’re innocent to execute the Azoth Extreme with just the Omni dongle at a 1,000Hz polling pace if you desire .
The higher polling rate certainly make battery life . While the original Azoth could last over 2,000 hours , the Azoth Extreme lasts 1,600 , and that ’s with the OLED display and RGB lighting change by reversal off . You ’re not proceed to need to file the Azoth Extreme often , but it ’s still less battery lifespan than what you get with the original example .
Should you buy the ROG Azoth Extreme?
At $ 500 , you should n’t buy the ROG Azoth Extreme unless you ’re well-to-do flub that form of money on a keyboard . I ’m a certified keyboard nerd , and I would n’t expend $ 500 on it . That has nothing to do with the timber of the keyboard . At that price , it ’s too expensive to flat - out recommend , even if it could tell you good morning and give you a back rub .
From the atomic number 6 fibre switch plate to the wrist rest that ’s reinforced with an aluminum nerve centre to the full - color OLED video display , it certainlyfeelslike Asus is last the superfluous naut mi to make the ROG Azoth Extreme justify its $ 500 cost . As luxurious as all the refinement are , it does n’t change the fact that you may get a keyboard that feels and function as well as the Azoth Extreme does for hundred of dollars less in many case .
I distrust the price will drop . The question is how small the monetary value will need to go . At $ 400 , the ROG Azoth Extreme is worth a passport , keeping in mind that it ’s still wildly expensive for a play keyboard . My hope is that it would finally come in around $ 350 . At that price , the ROG Azoth Extreme is still priced like a bounty product , but in a manner that makes horse sense given the crop of gaming keyboard useable between $ 200 and $ 300 .
There are lots of enceinte enthusiast options out there that make the Azoth Extreme expression overpriced . That includes the Meletrix Zoom 75 for around $ 250 , high - end keyboards like the Glorious GMMK Pro for around $ 350 , and mountain of selection from Keychron that support wireless if you ’re willing to settle for a plastic shell . It ’s true that there is n’t another keyboard that does quite everything that the ROG Azoth Extreme does , but that does n’t necessarily mean the $ 500 price tag make common sense given what you ’d ordinarily expend on a gaming keyboard .
If the price does drop , I ’ll revisit this review . For now , the ROG Azoth Extreme is only worth blame up if you ’re one of the few buyers in a position to spend $ 500 on a keyboard . For everyone else , do n’t worry about saving up . you’re able to get something that feel similarly premium for hundreds of dollars less .
