Kingston enter our test zone with their latest gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud; made in association with QPad, the prospects certainly look interesting.
Product on Review: HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset
Manufacturer: Kingston HyperX
Street Price: £60-70 inc VAT
Previously, Kingston HyperX have placed their mark on the iconic Siberia V2 to aid their brand awareness in the world of eSports. Now having deeper roots in eSports, sponsoring many teams between LoL (Cloud9 HyperX) and DotA2 (Alliance, TeamLiquid), it would appear that they are at it again. This time they team up with QPad to mix a little HyperX branding magic with the QH-90 to create the HyperX Cloud. Though it would appear that the QH-90 itself is a modified Takstar PRO 80, the formula itself is a logical one, excellent audiophile level audio with desirable features that distinguish contemporary gaming headsets from older generation ones.
Overview by Kingston HyperX
Game without pain.
Let your opponents take the blows while you game without pain. HyperX® Cloud cradles your head in a super-soft padded headband, memory foam ear cushions and leatherette-padded cups so even your late game will be comfortable. It’s affordable, so there’s no pain in the price either.
Pro-gaming optimized, HyperX Cloud is HiFi capable and delivers intense audio with crystal-clear low, mid and high tones plus enhanced bass-reproduction so you can lose yourself while you win. Plus you’ll look sharp while playing, thanks to the unique HyperX design.
Let your opponents take the blows while you game without pain. HyperX® Cloud cradles your head in a super-soft padded headband, memory foam ear cushions and leatherette-padded cups so even your late game will be comfortable. It’s affordable, so there’s no pain in the price either.
Pro-gaming optimized, HyperX Cloud is HiFi capable and delivers intense audio with crystal-clear low, mid and high tones plus enhanced bass-reproduction so you can lose yourself while you win. Plus you’ll look sharp while playing, thanks to the unique HyperX design.
Specifications & Features
Headphones
Frequency response: 15 – 25.000 Hz
Transducer type: Dynamic, Closed Ø 53mm Driver
SPL Sound pressure level: 98 ±3 dB
Connection: mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)
Microphone
Transducer type: Condenser (back electret)
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency response: 100 – 12.000 Hz
Connection: mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)
Frequency response: 15 – 25.000 Hz
Transducer type: Dynamic, Closed Ø 53mm Driver
SPL Sound pressure level: 98 ±3 dB
Connection: mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)
Microphone
Transducer type: Condenser (back electret)
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency response: 100 – 12.000 Hz
Connection: mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)
FEATURES
– Hi-Fi capable 53mm drivers for supreme audio quality
– 15 – 25.000 Hz frequency response
– Detachable microphone (quick and easy to plug/unplug for music-only purposes)
– Solid aluminum construction for durability and stability
– Super-soft padded leather headband with memory foam on cups for maximum comfort
– Closed cup for enhanced bass reproduction and passive noise cancellation
– Compatible for desktop, notebooks, mobile phones, PlayStation 4, and airplane adaptors
Packaging & Accessories
Packaging front
The box material has the same high quality feel that we find with the QH-90 and the QH-85. The artwork is striking with the deep red on grey background with a large image of the product in the centre.
Reverse side of packaging
At the rear and on the side there are diagrams detailing the features of the Cloud headset.
A nice message
As with the congratulatory message we find with the QPad products, here we have some information about HyperX, some could argue it isn’t needed, but it is a really nice touch.
Well packed
The protective packaging is identical to the QPad products, with a pull out cardboard drawer at the base with the headset surrounded by deep protective foam.
Included accessories
As with the QPad headsets, we find a load of included accessories, extension cables, a control box, 2x 3.5mm jacks (female) to 1x male, the removable microphone as well as an aeroplane adaptor. The Carry bag is similar but slightly modified over the QPad version, it has a front pocket fastened by velcro and has some HyperX trimmings.
The break out inline remote
Depending on how you have yourset, you may have no need for the remote, and you have that option due to the modularity, however, it looks great with the custom HyperX decal.
Your choice of fabric
Something not seen with many headphones, especially at this price, especially with gaming headsets, are included replacement headpads. The Cloud comes with both leather and a soft, plush velour, allowing the user the choice to whichever they prefer. A++
Closer Look
The HyperX Cloud
In appearance, it seems identical to the QH-90, bar the lush cherry red colouring and HyperX detailing. The Shortened HyperX logo on the earcup looks distinctive and unmistakable yet new. The padding on the headband is thick and squishy and should keep things comfortable on top.
The adjustment system
The aluminium brackets that hold the earcups have the same adjustment system as the QPad versions.
From the bottom
All the cables are braided and we also find the home for the removable microphone too with its rubberised cover protecting the port.
Embroidered leather logo on top
The embroidered logo on top looks great, overall the design and quality is impressive and as stunning as the QPad headsets.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
This design is tried and tested, the aluminium frame keeps things light and strong, while the rubberised plastic creates a high quality feel. All the cables are braided and the HyperX logo anodized on the earcups looks very impressive. The leather headband and padding is very soft, helping to keep things comfortable. The clamp strength is perfect, and is one of the few headsets that is genuinely easy to forget you are wearing it. There is a little warmth buildup but both earpad types are fairly breathable, though the leather, may have a sweaty build up, while the velour will be slightly absorbent. The removable earpads are large, easily accommodating all but the hugest of ears, and due to the memory foam padding, they both remain comfortable even when wearing glasses. Giving the user a choice between earpad material is great, the leather earpads are soft to the touch, while the velour is soft and plush without causing irritation. The QH-90 was already a very comfortable headset, by giving the option of leather or velour with the Cloud, as if by magic, the HyperX team have taken that one step further.
Looking at other aspects of the product, the control box is similar quality to the QPad variant which is fairly good, but should it fail, what does it matter? That is the beauty of modular cables. The splitter cable included allows for compatibility with the PS4, some may enjoy that aspect of this product too.
Multimedia
Listening through a various tracks and a standard playlist, it would seem that the audio properties are a little more balanced when compared to the QH-90, which had a slight overpowering high compared to mids; it also seemed like there was a wider soundstage too. The bass was incredibly deep and smooth, perfectly sitting somewhere between the bass performance of the Bitfenix FLO and the Corsair Vengeance 2100. Playing through a frequency sweep between 10-200Hz revealed impressive low end performance, the 20Hz-10,000KHz sweep also proved fairly balanced though there was a small drop between 6-8000KHz but nothing dramatic, while the high end proved to be crystal. The music listening experience was very pleasurable and the accuracy was surprisingly good.
The audio performance of the HyperX cloud reflected well in movies, giving a very enjoyable experience while not losing any background details amongst powerful foreground noises. Man of Steel certainly sounded as destructive as it looked. In games, there seemed to be a slight trade off, while the bass is creamy rich and has enough punch to satisfy my own preference, there was a lack of ‘rumble’, or impact compared to other closed back gaming headsets, some may prefer this head shaking experience from their games, though generally the Cloud was a fantastic gamer.
Microphone
The removable microphone performed great in game/ Teamspeak and on Skype. Voice was reported as being clear though a little deeper than natural. It also tended to pick up a little background noise though this can be curbed by reducing sensitivity or by using any noise cancelling features you may have on your sound card. It is worth noting that (as obvious at it may seem), like playback, the recording performance of your microphone is also affected by your audio processor, so if you have regular complaints about your microphone even after changing your headset… then maybe you need to upgrade your sound card.
Conclusion
The original design of this headset was one more aimed at audiophiles, it was then tweaked for gamers by QPad with the fantastic QH-90. Now tweaked again by the Kington HyperX crew, this product may reach more gamers around the world delivering fantastic audio performance at a reasonable price. The audio performance is precise and enjoyable that can literally do it all. Gaming, movies and music were all well spoken for by the Cloud and its balance of creamy bass, rich mid tones and crystal highs should appeal to anyone who cares about sound quality. On top of it, the Beyerdynamic-esque build quality using an aluminium frame and rubberised plastic gives a professional finish that is not only a joy to behold, but is also light and very comfortable. The added choice between a plush velour or soft leather earpads, at this price, truly is a luxury.
It is very difficult to fault any real aspect of this product; the microphone ‘could’ be better, and to really benefit from the true performance of this product you will want more than ‘just’ integrated audio processing. Though the list of features is near identical to the QPad offerings, the differences such as the all braided modular cables, the interchangeable earpads and of course the aeroplane adaptor… make the Cloud that little bit extra special. Not to mention that it is compatible with mobile phones, the PS4, and pretty much anything with a 3.5mm jack.
To throw a few things out there, some may find that at 60 Ohm impedance, the Cloud may sound a little quieter on their mobile device. Maybe it would be good to see a completely modular design with removable cable from the headset itself allowing for a cable with inline remote/microphone for mobile use instead of a boom mic. Regardless, that is beyond the target audience for this ‘gaming’ headset and everything this headset does do, it kicks ass while doing it. Currently available for around £65, that is massive bang per beat and I can not recommend the HyperX Cloud enough. For these reasons the Kingston HyperX Cloud gaming headset has been awarded our coveted Platinum Award and Amazing Value.
The HyperX Cloud gaming headset is arguably, the most revolutionary step in gaming audio since the Steelseries Siberia, witness a new standard in quality, comfort and audio performance that won’t break the bank.
Pros.
+ 53mm drivers
+ Excellent sound balance
+ Wide soundstage esp. for a closed back ‘gamer’ headset
+ Very comfortable
+ Attractive aesthetic/ HyperX design
+ Quality construction
+ Modular cables
+ Removable microphone
+ Choice of leather or velour earpads
+ Audiophile appeal
+ Compatible with PS4 and mobiles
+ Price
Mediocre
+- Some may want a slightly more ‘impactful’ bass
+ 53mm drivers
+ Excellent sound balance
+ Wide soundstage esp. for a closed back ‘gamer’ headset
+ Very comfortable
+ Attractive aesthetic/ HyperX design
+ Quality construction
+ Modular cables
+ Removable microphone
+ Choice of leather or velour earpads
+ Audiophile appeal
+ Compatible with PS4 and mobiles
+ Price
Mediocre
+- Some may want a slightly more ‘impactful’ bass
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net. Thanks to Kingston for providing today’s review sample.
