FiiO’s KB3 adds DAC and headphone amplifier to RGB 75% keyboard
Whether you’re a gamer struggling with desktop space or working at home in need of better audio, FiiO’s KB3 mechanical keyboard might be what you’re looking for.
Sporting a gamer-friendly 75% layout, this tenkeyless (TKL) mechanical keyboard, the FiiO KB3 adds a shock-absorbing seal-mount design on an aluminum-magnesium alloy base and Gateron G Pro 3.0 yellow switches with semi-transparent interchangeable keycaps, which exposes RGB lighting underneath to the mix. The keys and switches are also hot-swappable, allowing you to find the perfect setup. So far this sounds like the basics of any game board.
The 3.5mm headphone port in the keyboard isn’t new territory either; I remember Razer at least doing that. However, where the KB3 comes into its own is that the headphone output isn’t just at the end of an analog passthrough; Audio, in fact, is handled with a DAC and headphone amplifier built into the FiiO keyboard.
Crunching the numbers are dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs that support up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 audio, aided by a pair of low-noise SGM8262 op-amps that produce a claimed 550mW. In addition to the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, you also get a 4.4mm balanced output. So not too sharp.
Finally, two USB A and a USB C port around the back of the board round things off.
Available in Midnight Black / Morning Silver, the FiiO KB3 Hi-Fi Keyboard with built-in DAC / Amp is available now, priced at £139 / $149 / €169.