ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX review: Elegant keyboard with magnetic switches

ASUS ROG has given the compact Falchion Ace gaming keyboard, which already impressed in our test last year, an exciting new edition: The new ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX comes with magnetic switches with an adjustable trigger point and two modern USB-C ports. Our test.

As with the original version, the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX also relies on a compact, simple 65 percent layout and is therefore correspondingly compact. With a width of 315 mm and a height of 35 mm, the keyboard takes up very little space on the desk.

However, the layout also means that the keyboard does not have a numeric keypad or an F-key row. The F-keys are implemented via an FN key combination together with the number row. In general, many additional functions can be called up via FN combinations, so you hardly have to do without anything.

When switched off, the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX has a pleasantly simple appearance. The Republic of Gamers lettering can be found above the keys, and there are two rubberized feet on the underside that can be used to position the keyboard at different angles.

The top is where things get interesting, as it has two USB-C ports. However, these are not intended to connect the keyboard to two PCs (which is also possible), but rather so that you can decide whether the cable should be on the left or right.

You will also find a function button on the left-hand side, which can be used to switch between different settings.

Because: The area next to it is a touch bar. In combination with the function button, you can, for example, adjust the volume or mute the system, control media playback, adjust the brightness of the lighting or adjust the trigger point of the buttons. In my opinion, however, the touch bar should respond a little faster and more precisely. From time to time, inputs are not implemented with complete precision.

There is also an RT switch on the right that can be used to activate the rapid trigger function. This is supposed to enable the “fastest typing response and key repetition rate”, but I couldn’t really notice a difference in the test. By default, this is limited to the WASD keys, but can be switched on and off for all keys in the accompanying software.

In combination with the appealing RGB lighting, the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX looks very high-quality and classy, the build quality is impeccable and the individual PBT keycaps score points with a non-slip surface. Outstanding.

Pretty much the first thing I noticed in the practical test of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX is how pleasantly quiet and “thocky” the trigger noise of the individual keys is. The keyboard offers a really pleasant and very high-quality sound, with nothing rattling or wobbling.

The keyboard owes this not only to the good stabilizers, but also to the five layers of noise and vibration damping, including two PORON and three silicone layers, which produce a quiet and muffled sound.

The built-in ROG HFX Magnetic Switches, the special feature of the HFX version, are already very quiet. Their special feature is that the actuation point can be adjusted between 0.1 mm and 4.0 mm. This works either via the Function button or via the Armoury Crate software.

This function is no longer a novelty: the SteelSeries Apex TKL Pro (our test) has been offering similar features for years. With the Falchion Ace HFX, however, the transitions are noticeably smoother, whereby even a setting of 0.1 mm still provides a usable typing experience thanks to the precise keys and switches – this was not always the case with the competition.

Otherwise, the keyboard impresses with a sampling rate of 8,000 Hz, which also makes it very interesting for competitive gamers, as inputs are implemented in a fraction of a second. However, the keyboard cannot be used wirelessly.

The “disadvantage” of the special magnetic switches, a proprietary development from ASUS ROG, is that they cannot be easily replaced. Although other switches can be used if desired, only other HFX-compatible switches can be used. Normal mechanical switches can therefore not be used.

However, the keycaps can be easily exchanged and replaced with your own keycaps. The manufacturer includes a corresponding puller for removal in the scope of delivery.

As already mentioned, I really like the typing feel on the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX, which is mainly due to the excellent triggering of the individual keys and the pleasantly grippy surface of the keycaps.

The keyboard is therefore just as suitable for writing longer texts as it is for gaming. However, thanks to the Rapid Trigger function and the Speed Tap feature, it has some exciting special features.

The latter makes it possible to assign two buttons for the speed tap – A and D by default (i.e. lateral movements in shooters and action games). This feature makes it possible to give priority to the last key pressed. In shooters, this is intended to prevent the character from stopping when two opposite directional buttons are pressed, as the two commands contradict each other.

ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX sound test:

Sound test Rapoo V500Pro 2.4:

Sound test Corsair K70 MAX:

In practice, this means that you can press both keys, for example A and D, at the same time without your character stopping. Although this is a huge advantage, it can certainly tip the scales.

As always with ASUS ROG, Armoury Crate is also used here as accompanying software. Thanks to the function key and touch bar (sometimes also using the FN key combination), most settings can also be made entirely without software.

In addition to the option of freely reassigning all buttons, you can, for example, set the trigger point for all buttons together or each button individually between 0.1 mm and 4.0 mm. The same applies to the Rapid Trigger function, which can be adjusted between 0.1 mm and 2.5 mm.

You can also switch touch bar functions on and off or customize them and even individually configure your own area on the bar. The RGB lighting can also be set and adjusted in terms of speed or colors. Thanks to AuraSync, synchronization with other ASUS devices is of course also possible.

With the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX, the manufacturer has once again released an extremely high-quality keyboard that not only outperforms its already successful predecessor, but also makes all other keyboards with magnetic switches available to date look outdated.

The compact 65 percent layout is well implemented and creates additional space on the desk or gaming table. Nevertheless, you don’t have to do without the F-key row thanks to the dual assignment. The manufacturer combines this with impeccable workmanship and practical features. I particularly like the function key and the touch bar on the top, although the latter could be a little faster and more precise.

There are also the Rapid Trigger and Speed Tap functions, which gamers in particular will appreciate. The adjustable trigger point between 0.1 mm and 4.0 mm allows precise adjustment to the individually preferred feel and works more precisely than competitors that offer a comparable feature.

However, ASUS ROG also pays handsomely for all this. Although the keycaps and (theoretically) the switches are interchangeable, you should be aware that the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX is not a custom keyboard that you can modify to your liking.

High-quality and elegant gaming keyboard with practical and unique additional functions for gamers, which should also appeal to frequent typists.