HyperX are back with the latest iteration of the Cloud Revolver headset. It has been loaded with an advanced USB DSP control box that enables Dolby 7.1 Surround technology at the touch of a button.
Product on Review: HyperX Revolver S
Manufacturer and Sponsor: HyperX
Street Price: UK: £139.99, US: $149.99
HyperX have quickly become a renowned brand in the realm of gaming audio due to some very wise moves, something we discussed on our first look with the HyperX Cloud headset. Riding this success, the HyperX team went on to design their very own original headset in-house Cloud Revolver, scooping up critical acclaim for its brilliance, and the notorious ‘bell ring’ when one bumps the steel frame.
The Revolver S, learns and adapts from the past, and comes in boasting absolute cross-platform compatibility due to the use a hard-lined 4pole jack, included extensions, and much like the Cloud II headset, the Revolver S has been bundled with an advanced driverless USB soundcard. The USB dongle provides instant access to various controls including volume, microphone mute, and a selection of preset EQs, it can also enable Dolby 7.1 surround at the touch of a button.
Various features are shared with the Revolver, including those outstanding studio grade 50mm drivers, the use of high-quality memory foam ear pads, and the wide suspension headband for supreme comfort. Though there are some subtle differences too, one is the more neutral white coloured accents rather than red, and to deal with the sonorous steel frame, they have added some anti-vibration rubber stops.
Overview by HyperX
HyperX Cloud Revolver™ S features Plug N Play virtual Dolby® Surround 7.1 audio – no software required. The USB digital signal processing card outputs consistent high-quality sound no matter what system you’re using. Revolver S has a clippable audio control box so you can quickly Push-to-Dolby, mute and regulate mic/output levels. Signature HyperX memory foam and the wider headband provide even greater award-winning comfort. TeamSpeak and Discord certified, Revolver S ensures you’ll always have clear communication.
Technical Specifications
Headphone
Driver: Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type: Circumaural, Closed back
Frequency response: 12Hz–28,000 Hz
Impedance: 30 Ohm
Sound pressure level : 100.5 dBSPL/mW at 1kHz T.H.D.: < 2%
Input power: Rated 30mW, Maximum 500mW
Weight: 360g
Weight with mic: 376g
Cable length:
Headset: (1m)
Audio Control Box: 2.2m
PC extension cable: 2m
Connection Type:
Headset: 3.5mm plug (4 pole)
Audio Control Box: USB
PC extension cable: 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
Microphone
Element: Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern: Bi-directional, Noise-cancelling
Frequency response: 50Hz-18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -44dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
Driver: Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type: Circumaural, Closed back
Frequency response: 12Hz–28,000 Hz
Impedance: 30 Ohm
Sound pressure level : 100.5 dBSPL/mW at 1kHz T.H.D.: < 2%
Input power: Rated 30mW, Maximum 500mW
Weight: 360g
Weight with mic: 376g
Cable length:
Headset: (1m)
Audio Control Box: 2.2m
PC extension cable: 2m
Connection Type:
Headset: 3.5mm plug (4 pole)
Audio Control Box: USB
PC extension cable: 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
Microphone
Element: Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern: Bi-directional, Noise-cancelling
Frequency response: 50Hz-18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -44dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
Packaging & First Look
The Revolver S comes in a more stylised packaging with a grungy gamer background. There is a ‘console’ like band at the top for quick compatibility identification (like how the Xbox One products have a green band, and the PS4 uses a Blue band). There is some information given about its features listed in various languages so people can see instantly what they are getting.
At the back there is a diagram showing off its key features in various languages, along with reassurance as to its compatibility with various popular gaming VOIP services.
Inside, HyperX have included various accessories, including the USB control box which is attached to a 2.2m long braided cable, as well as a 2m PC extension/splitter, and the removable noise reducing microphone.
The control box features a clip at the back for convenience, as has two large buttons for Dolby Surround, and microphone mute. On the sides there are two dials for Master Volume, and microphone volume. Finally there is also a small button seen on the left side which toggles between music/movies/gaming preset EQ, with three LED indicators to distinguish which is in use. The top part of the dongle is where you plug in the 3.5mm 4pole jack.
On initial inspection it is easy to see that the Revolver S, uses a large steel frame and a suspension headband design. The earcups are very large and can swivel. The Revolver S itself features a hard-lined 1m long braided cable with a gold-plated 3.5mm jack, suitable for use with various mobile devices, games consoles and more.
Closer Look
The headband is wide and features soft memory foam that has been coated with a plush leatherette material. The edges have been stitched to provide a more durable, long lasting finish.
The earcups are large enough to easily fully cover peoples ears and are surrounded by a super soft memory foam padding that is also removable.
The headband itself is a suspension design and is connected via a stretchy connection just behind the earpads, which is also where you will find the braided cable slack.
It is here that we can see that the Revolver S has also been given a rubberised surface, unlike the textured plastic finish on the original Revolver. The White coloured finish adds an interesting aesthetic that may appeal to some more than the red found in its predecessor.
The base of the earcups remain fairly plain, with the only additional detail to note is the port for the removable microphone.
Complete with the microphone, the Revolver S looks somewhat large, yet retains a certain coherent elegance that is attractive, though it is unlikely many people will choose to use a headset of this magnitude on their daily commute to work.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
The Revolver S presents the gamer with a host of convenient connectivity options which require minimal setup. You can use the USB dongle with both the PC or PS4, the 4pole jack with any compatible device, including the Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, Mac, and mobile devices, while the PC extension can be plugged directly into the 3.5mm ports for headphone/microphone in your motherboard/soundcard. This means that unplugging the headset and moving to a different device is super easy and convenient to do.
On placing the Revolver S on your head, you will find it to be well balanced in both pressure and grip strength, with the super-soft memory foam padding providing a plush comfort fit. Despite the weight of the headset being a rather hefty 360g, it doesn’t feel like it. The level of passive noise cancellation is good, and those rubber stops added into the steel frame prevent it from ringing like a tuning fork.
The control box is lightweight and is easy to use, feeling better quality than the USB soundcard included with the Cloud II. The large Dolby/Mute buttons light up when activated, giving good indication as to what mode the headset is in. The only downside is (as with many in-line remotes) is that the control box is orientated upside-down, with the ‘top’ of the control box facing towards you.
Multimedia
We did some music listening via the USB soundcard, and we found that its maximum volume is a little lower than some may prefer. Despite this, the sound-stage and clarity is spectacular. Picking up each layer of audio and seamlessly playing them into your ear with absolute clarity. Testing out the preset EQ options, we found the first gave a boost to bass, the second boosted mids, and the third increased the treble. So despite being driverless there is enough differentiation between each preset to cater for different use/preference.
On enabling the Dolby Surround, while still in our subjective music listening, we discovered that it greatly boosted the listening volume, and bass to a more respectable level, but it also introduced some slight distortion and clipping, which is rather disappointing. This means that, while the volume is boosted, it is not suitable for music listening as it could potentially wreck the headset speaker drivers.
In further testing, we used the Revolver S via a dedicated headphone amplifier, producing the exceptional audio quality and results that was loud, distortion free and simply incredible. We also tested the headset via the Xbox One controller, and party chat. The microphone was said to sound perfect, without additional pickup, echo or static which can plague many other headsets in this configuration.
In CS:GO the level of spatial awareness/ directional comprehension is amongst the best I have experienced in this price range, footsteps, fire-bins, bouncing grenades could all be distinguished with precision thanks to the epic sound stage that the Revolver S provides, the Dolby Surround mode just makes it even better.
Microphone
The microphone features noise-cancelling and doesn’t pick up much in the way of background noises. In conversation, voice-pick up is said to sound natural and warm without being overpowering. The microphone is flexible, though I would caution against putting it too close to your mouth so you can prevent the pick up of plosive ‘puh’ and ‘wuh’ sounds.
Conclusion
HyperX have done a fantastic job of proving that ‘gaming headsets’ isn’t a synonym for poor quality, muddy sounding audio. The studio grade drivers are amongst the few we can genuinely say are the real deal. The sound-stage is incredible, picking out distinct sounds and making them all crystal clear. The Revolver S headset could be lighter than its 360g weight, though despite that, its balance and use of high quality materials allows it to remain very comfortable for long periods of time, and to boot, the noise cancelling microphone is decent too.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all smooth sailing with the Cloud Revolver S, there are some rather important things to note, and that all falls with the USB DSP control box. Firstly, the additional £40 hike in price is mostly paying for that control box, so we have to consider it as such. Sure, it sounds fantastic, but its volume level is rather low. The Dolby Surround combined with the wide sound stage does present an impressive surround experience in game. However, people may also enable the surround mode as a means to boost the volume level, and considering we discovered some mild distortion/ clipping, this could present more problems over time. Though, on the note, HyperX has endorsed the Revolver S with a 2 year warranty, so at least that will present some peace of mind.
Overall, the Cloud Revolver S is an exceptional headset that is at the forefront of all gaming headsets, however we feel that the price hike over the standard Revolver doesn’t quite offer the exceptional value it could when that additional £40 is enough to buy a decent third-party internal/external soundcard.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S is simply brilliant, it provides top tier audio quality and comfort that you can take to any of your gaming outlets with ease.
Pros.
+ Attractive design
+ Solid construction
+ Long lasting comfort
+ Multi-platform compatibility
+ Wide sound stage
+ Superb, well balanced audio
+ Dolby 7.1 Virtual Surround
+ Detachable microphone
+ Features rubber anti-vibration pads (no more ringing)
Cons.
– USB control box could be better
+ Attractive design
+ Solid construction
+ Long lasting comfort
+ Multi-platform compatibility
+ Wide sound stage
+ Superb, well balanced audio
+ Dolby 7.1 Virtual Surround
+ Detachable microphone
+ Features rubber anti-vibration pads (no more ringing)
Cons.
– USB control box could be better
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
