This is my first mechanical. I ordered Gateron pro yellows pre installed. Everything is supposed to be lightly lubed. Managed to get it for 121 CAD + taxes and free shipping. I think I got a substantially better deal than if I went with my original plan of buying a Keychron V1.
I can't describe the feel too much because it's my only mechanical ever but it's very good. I don't think it feels flawless, but it's good. Left shift and space have foam or rubber beneath making them thud more than the other keys and the board itself is heavy and already dampened. They gave a cap and switch puller as well as 3 switches and a black space bar cap.
I can't compare my wife's TH80 to the V-series, but I do have a K2 (not pro), and I think the Epomaker is the better built keyboard of the two. Keychrons absolutely aren't bad, and the V-series has QMK which is, to me, an absolute plus, but the Epomaker is a fine board itself.
You could always open her up and see what the thud is about, could be errant foam, could be the stab needing a bit of love. I do recall that the stabs on my wife's (then new) board required a bit of a cleanup.
Thanks for the tips. The different sound seems on purpose though I'll check someday if it bugs me or if I want to replace anything.