I had been using a free HP keyboard for a while when I found out about mechanical keyboards, so I checked them out and fell in love with the clicky sound of the blue switches... It was like a drug to me, and I didn't even have the keyboard yet. So, I ordered it, plugged it in, and... Well, it was way too loud. I could imagine if I had friends over they'd get very pissed over the noise. It's not a problem when you're wearing headphones or even earphones, but when you take them off it's definitely quite loud. Wish I got the red switches.
The feedback of the keys (the main selling point) is quite nice, and I expected an immense difference. However, when I went back to my old HP keyboard it actually didn't feel as bad as I thought it would after going mechanical.
Although this keyboard does remain a questionable purchase, I ultimately do 'need' it for my competitive gaming needs.