How to Install Keychron Acoustic Upgrade Kit

By Keychron | Custom Mechanical Keyboards for Mac, Windows ... | Published: 2026-10-25

Category: How-to Guides

Step-by-step guide to installing the Keychron Q5 Pro / Q5 Max Acoustic Upgrade Kit. Learn how to swap foam layers, avoid common mistakes, and tune your keyboard's sound.

Quick answer

Open your Q5 Pro or Q5 Max case, replace the stock foam with the Poron & XPE layers from the upgrade kit, then reassemble. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and requires only a keycap puller and a screwdriver.

Why change the stock foam?

The factory foam in most mechanical keyboards is designed for consistency rather than sound character. Swapping to a Poron & XPE combination changes the internal damping, which can reduce hollowness and give the typing sound a fuller, more controlled tone. The upgrade kit is a targeted way to experiment with acoustics without buying a whole new board.

What you need before starting

You'll need a keycap puller (the wire type works best), a Phillips #0 screwdriver, and a clean, flat workspace. The kit itself contains Poron and XPE foam layers cut for the Q5 Pro and Q5 Max. No soldering or glue is required.

Installation steps

Remove keycaps and open the case: Use a keycap puller to remove all keycaps and set them aside in order. Flip the keyboard over and unscrew the eight case screws (they are under the rubber feet on the bottom plate). Gently lift the bottom plate away from the top housing. Keep screws in a small container so they don't roll away. The feet are adhesive; peel them carefully to avoid tearing.
Take out the PCB and stock foam: Disconnect the ribbon cable linking the PCB to the top housing. Lift the PCB assembly out and set it on a clean surface. Remove the existing foam layer from the bottom case. The ribbon cable latch flips up before you pull the cable. Forcing it can break the connector.
Install the Poron foam layer: Place the Poron foam sheet into the bottom case, aligning the cutouts with the screw posts. Press it flat so there are no wrinkles or air pockets. Poron is softer than stock foam; it should sit flush without stretching. If it bunches, remove and reposition.
Add the XPE foam layer: Position the XPE foam sheet on top of the Poron layer, again matching the cutouts to the screw posts. The XPE layer adds density and further dampens case ping. Both layers must lie flat. A folded corner will create an uneven surface under the PCB and may cause key wobble.
Reassemble the keyboard: Reconnect the ribbon cable to the PCB, then lower the PCB assembly back into the top housing. Replace the bottom plate and tighten the eight screws. Reinstall all keycaps in their original positions. Tighten screws in a cross pattern to avoid warping the plate. Test each key after reassembly to confirm the switches are seated properly.

What comes in the kit

Keychron Q5 Pro / Q5 Max Acoustic Upgrade Kit: The Keychron Q5 Pro / Q5 Max Acoustic Upgrade Kit is offered in a Poron & XPE material option and is compatible with Q5 Pro and Q5 Max keyboards. Poron foam absorbs higher-frequency vibrations while XPE foam adds density; the combination lets you tune the keyboard's resonance without permanent modification.
Keychron Q5 Pro / Q5 Max Acoustic Upgrade Kit