I have two Leopold 87s w/ Cherry Browns, at work and home. I love them. They also have a solid build quality and with the Cherry Browns, they still have a slight 'clack' but not to loud. Never once had a complaint from a coworker. Never experienced the Cherry Clear switches.

I don't see backlighting as a necessary feature. I almost never have to look at my keyboard. If I do there's generally enough ambient light, even if the lights are off, my monitor throws enough around.

I run Windows so media key's are more than easily compensated for by AutoHotKey. Instead of Fn+Key you can make whatever shortcut you want. Obvously a different equation for other OSs.

Things missing from the Leopold:

1. Backlighting 2. Better Aesthetics 3. Cherry MX Clear switches

That's pretty much it. I personally don't think it's worth the 50 dollar premium when I'm just fine with MX Browns.

Got to agree with you here, the keyboard is quite overpriced (IMHO).

I'm with an 87 keys with brown switches at the office and at home I use a Das Keyboard with blue switches.

For me it's either brown or blue, clear switches are too much in between. If you're going non-clicky pick brown or even red, if it's clicky, then it's blue all the way.

No media keys on the Leopold either, or painted backplate, etc.