We have seen gaming keyboards with exceptionally high polling rates in recent years, but what good is a faster response time if the person types (or shoots) at the same speed? Because of this desire for speed, many gamers turn to lightweight switches, which should help you to strike the keys faster. MSI’s Vigor GK71 Sonic is a full-size RGB gaming keyboard that’s the first to employ the company’s unique “Sonic Red” mechanical switches, which offer an incredibly light, 35-gram actuation force that’s equal to the industry’s lowest.
The keyboard, which has an MSRP of $110, comes with a comfortable gel wrist rest, voice-activated lighting control software, and media controls, although it does not have a fast polling feature. In our testing, however, the key switches were not as smooth or “quick” as we would have liked, the keycaps were unimpressive, and the volume wheel seemed brittle. At this price point, there has to be something better.
GK71 Sonic features new 35-gram switches and a 1,000Hz reaction rate, however none of these features truly distinguish this mechanical keyboard. Instead, the main draw is the extraordinarily brilliant and colorful RGB array, as well as the keycaps that complement it. MSI’s GK71 Sonic is a full-size mechanical keyboard in a low-profile shell with pudding-style keycaps, ultra-light switches, and a pretty normal plate-mount method. The keyboard contains three multimedia controls, a dial in the top-right corner, and is extensively styled to appeal to gamers. While it has some obvious advantages, it ultimately falls short when compared to other companies’ products, missing the build quality and typing experience that one would expect from a keyboard costing more than $100.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic review: Design
The Vigor GK71 Sonic looks nice, but it’s not really practical. I plugged it up and was greeted by the brightest LEDs I’d ever seen on a keyboard. The keycaps’ transparent bottoms let more light to stream through, but I’m concerned about how long they’ll last. The tops of the keycaps appear to be made of ABS, whereas PBT keycaps are preferable. The bottom halves of the keycaps are the true issue. They’re made of low-cost acrylic. They feel like they’re just ready to crack, which is made worse by the fact that the stem is made of the same material. The tops and bottoms are also distinct, with a gap between them that can be felt with a fingernail.
The concept of form over function extends beyond keycaps. The two cable routing channels beneath the keyboard, for example, do not secure the attached cable. And, while the wrist rest is a wonderful addition, it does not connect to the keyboard in any manner. It just floats in front, and it’s not nearly as comfortable as the wrist rest on the Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic review: Keys
The MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic is a $110 full-size mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB, dedicated media keys, a memory foam wrist rest, and ultra-light 35 g “Sonic Red” linear mechanical switches.The top right of the MSI keyboard features dedicated media keys and a notched volume wheel. The volume wheel is quite handy, especially when playing games where the audio is not blended effectively during cutscenes. The volume wheel is accessed through a knob on the top of the keyboard and a notch on the side, and either can be turned to change the volume.
Unfortunately, the speaker symbol on the wheel looks ridiculous because it rotates with the wheel and does not remain centered. MSI’s lack of attention to detail here irritates me, because I liked how the wheel felt yet nearly didn’t want to use it because the icon rotates so strangely. MSI refers to this entire cluster as the “Smart Dual Touch Volume and Media Control,” yet the orientation of the wheel when rotated is anything from intelligent.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic review: RGB Lighting
The Vigor GK71 Sonic features just about everything you’d want for both leisure and intense gaming, including clicky, comfy keys, plenty of functionality, and, of course, that delicious, sweet RGB lights. It’s a one-of-a-kind package that makes it an excellent option to gaming-keyboard heavyweights like Corsair, Razer, and SteelSeries. MSI Center, a free download that serves as a center for all of your MSI gaming gear, provides easy access to customization choices.
Choose from three different profiles to program your macros and from nine LED styles to alter to your liking. You may also utilize Ambient Link to have your RGB lighting respond to the game that you’re playing. Unfortunately, it is limited to only seven games, with the majority of them being current Ubisoft titles like as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic review: Software
Furthermore, the MSI Center software enables for in-depth adjustment of the RGB profile of the keyboard, allowing you to personalize the lighting to meet your precise configuration. While the software is more clunkier to use than Corsair iCue and Razer Synapse, it’s still usable for the most part, and utilizing it is a lot easier than adjusting lighting settings entirely through the keyboard’s function layer.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic review: Connectivity
Connectivity is handled via USB 2.0 using a connected 1.8-meter long braided sleeved wire. Continuing on this line, cabling for a mouse or headset can be routed under the keyboard using the X-shaped cable routing system molded into the frame of the keyboard. The second of the long narrow panels indicates that this is a gaming keyboard, but we have already seen the rest of what is visible there. Before seeing compliances and other icons, there is a warning and certain legal notifications. The product sticker, tucked into the bottom left corner, displays the model, serial, connectivity, layout, and switch type.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic review: Performance
The new MSI Sonic Reds are very unique. With a 35g actuation force, they are ridiculously fast and light, and it took me several days to get used to the featherlite touch. The keys are incredibly smooth and generate little noise when compared to other varieties. The near-instantaneous response is ideal for gaming, particularly in fast-paced games such as shooters that require quick inputs. Combine this with one of the best gaming PCs or best gaming laptops for a powerful combination.
The GK71 Sonic never missed a beat when playing the recently released Shadow Warrior 3, where the main protagonist Lo Wang moves at remarkable speed while running, gunning, weaving, and jumping. Similarly, accomplishing spectacular feats of parkour in the zombie-infested Dying Light 2 was simple to time and execute the various jumps and climbs with no problems. During heavy warfare, accessing the myriad of functions in Lost Ark was simple and painless.
Although I prefer using a Razer Wolverine V2 for gaming because keyboards tire my hands very quickly, the GK71 Sonic was much less tiring after play. I ascribe this in large part to the delicate touch required. However, I do significantly more typing and productivity work than gaming these days, and my initial experience was even more annoying owing to the multiple inadvertent pressing of neighboring keys. However, I’ve gotten the hang of it; even after adjusting to a lighter touch, I’m still not as confident as I would be with a heavier switch like the Cherry MX Browns. Something to think about.
Conclusion
As we’ve said before, while it feels light, it’s structurally sound. While it has an open top like others on the market, very few make keycap sacrifices to extend the reach and intensity of the RGB within each switch. While we do not like the typeface employed, it is readable and can be read in low-light conditions. We like the dual functionality, but we don’t see oneself changing the lighting speed or intensity in the middle of a game when MSI Center is just a click or two away.
While the basic multimedia buttons are unremarkable, we prefer utilizing the volume knob/wheel combo. We can speak to someone in the room with just a tap, and we can return to the music with another tap. We also enjoy how the wheel is exposed on the sides, allowing you to get your hand anywhere near the corner and adjust the volume as needed. The VIGOR GK71 SONIC appears to have a lot to offer at first glance.
