HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset PC/PS4/Mac/Mobile Review

My first ever review for Kingston Technology is here, it’s for a headset, not any headset, its their latest incarnation of its HyperX Cloud Gaming franchise the new HyperX Cloud 2 Gaming Headset for PC/PS4/MAC and Mobile. There are three colour variations available, Total Black, Red and Black and finally White and Pink.

The Package – What’s in the box

When looking from the front you get to see what he headset looks like and some of the main features that Kingston feels will sell the product on first view, these include the premium sound card, 7.1 surround sound, the digitally enhanced mic, 53mm Hi-Fi drivers and finally designed by Sweden. I do not understand why they feel Designed by Sweden needs to be on the front, they gave us Ikea, flat pack hell, but they did give us ABBA and Swedish Chef from the Muppets.

When looking from the sides, one side gives you a load of waffle, regarding HyperX’s commitment to quality and affordable products as a Global Leader. On the other side you get some more technical specifications that show off more features which include the Solid Aluminium Build quality, the noise and echo cancelling milk and finally the interchangeable ear cups.

Lets open up, to reveal and bright red box with the HyperX logo in black etched across the front, pulling off the lid reveal the instruction manual and underneath the lid a nice little note welcoming you to the HyperX community.

Looking at the content, everything is well packaged and protected from any accidental damage from delivery or dropping, no one is perfect and delivery companies are not exactly careful.

You get the headphones themselves, a spare set of ear cups, microphone and the 7.1 sound card attachment along with an extension cable 2 metres in length and an airplane adapter.

Box Contains

• 1 x HyperX Cloud II headset
• 1 x Detachable microphone (attached to headset)
• 1 x Spare set of velour ear cushions
• 1 x USB control box
• 1 x Airplane headphone adapter
• 1 x Mesh bag

Software

I have always had the opportunity to use some sort of software with all the headset I use, even the cheaper options like Element Gaming. I just feel that having software seems to give more flexibility and customization. The HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset does come with a 7.1 Soundcard, but looking through the box I was unable to find any software, or download instructions, so I guess everything is all in one package.

The Design

The first thing that stands out are the ear cups and headband, the headband has the HyperX logo stitched in black on the top lines with red thread around the edges. The headband uses Memory foam that generously protects your precious head, even for the bigger headed person.

The ear cups cup come with two different types of variations of ear padding, the first set are the ones that are attached ‘Leatherette pads’ and the other set is ‘Soft Felt’, depending on the temperature of the room you are using the headset, would depend on if your ears will sweet or not, my room was around 17 degrees and found no sweeting happened. If you look at the side of the headset you will notice the HyperX logo is drawn on and the ear cup arms and coloured. The ones we had were red & black, so the logo was red, arm and stitched around the edge of the headband, you can also get pink and gun metal, depending on the one you choose will depend on the colours used in the design process.

The micro-phone is detachable, flexible and does in no way get in the way, while gaming or podcasting.

The cable is braided and the USB is Gold Plated as expected with many of our gaming peripherals today. The first length of cable measures a total of 1 metre and the extension measures 2 metres, making the total length 3 metres, not bad really.

The Sound card is attached to the 1metre length cable, the device allows you to take direct control for the sound coming in and the microphone sound going out, it also has a 7.1 button in the centre that creates a virtual 7.1 surround sound environment and finally it lights up.

Usage

Games, games glourius games, so what games did I happen to play with this headset? How about the undead game Dying Light from game developers Techland and some Monster Hunting in Evolve from the developers Turtle Rock Studios. With both games I used 7.1 Surround Sound so I can pick up where the enemy is and have a better feel for my environment. The headsets, sound, out performed my SteelSeries Elite Headset, which I love, I found the sound was a lot more clear, maybe due to the 53mm Drivers the headset used, compared to the 50mm drivers in the SteelSeries Elites.

The let down though, came from the Microphone, it did in no way cancel out the background noise, players could hear me clicking the mouse, using the keyboard and heard my TV in the background. Compared to the SteelSeries Elite headset, this headset Microphones software for this was awful, I am sorry to say, and needs to be updated asap

Final Thoughts

I am on the edge a little, as I do tend to use the microphone a lot, not just for games, but for podcasts once in a while, and it’s a real let down, that this microphone just does not cut it. On the other hand the sound is fantastic, the 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound worked as expected, the headset is very light and comfortable and can be used for long periods of time without sweeting, if the room is not too hot.

Boring Technical Specifications

Headset:

• Transducer Type: dynamic Ø 53mm
• Frequency Response: 15Hz–25,000 Hz
• Nominal SPL: 98±3dB
• Operating principle: closed
• Nominal impedance: 60 Ω per system
• H.D.: < 2%
• Power handling capacity: 150mW
• Sound coupling to the ear: circumaural
• Ambient noise attenuation: 20 dBa
• Headband pressure: 5N
• Weight with microphone and cable: 320g
• Cable length and type: 1m + 2m extension
• Connection: single mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)

 

Microphone:

• Transducer Type: condenser (back electret)
• Polar Pattern: cardioid
• Frequency Response: 50-18,000 Hz
• Operating principle: pressure gradient
• Power supply: AB powering
• Supply voltage: 2V
• Current consumption: max 0.5 mA
• Nominal impedance: ≤2.2 kΩ
• Open circuit voltage: at f = 1 kHz: 20 mV / Pa
• THD: 2% at f = 1 kHz
• SPL: 105dB SPL (THD≤1.0% at 1 KHz)
• Microphone output: -39±3dB
• Length mic boom: 150mm (include gooseneck)
• Capsule diameter:6*5 mm
• Connection: single mini stereo jack plug (3.5mm)

Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.