HyperX Cloud II Wireless review
The HyperX Cloud II has been a classic in HyperX’s stable for a long time now, and it’s still a decent option, but it’s showing its age. The HyperX Cloud II Wireless is the answer to that problem. This new wireless gaming headset brings slight refinements to the Cloud II’s design for an additional $50.
After spending a week with the Cloud 2 Wireless, we feel ready to inform you whether or not that markup is justifiable.
Editor’s note: this HyperX Cloud II Wireless review was updated July 11, 2022, to add a Controls section, include in-line FAQs, update the formatting and more.
- Gamers looking for something that sounds good and works easily on multiple platforms.
- At-home workers who need a headset with a microphone that’s comfortable enough to wear all day.
What is the HyperX Cloud II Wireless like?
The hinges now have a slight curve to them, which actually makes the earcups sit a little more evenly on your head.
If you’ve ever worn a HyperX Cloud II or even a HyperX Cloud Alpha, you know what to expect when putting the HyperX Cloud II Wireless on: something comfortable as heck. This wireless gaming headset is made mainly of aluminum, with a flexible headband and ear cups that feature thick memory foam cushions covered in soft leatherette. The headphones are made of hard, matte-textured plastic and feature black metal panels on the side.
Basically, this is a sturdy, super comfortable gaming headset. The aluminum keeps things light, and the band offers just the right amount of tension to feel secure, but not too tight. If you’re looking for a headset you won’t mind wearing while you spend all day in a Zoom call, this is it. People with glasses might not find it quite so comfortable, but the softness of the ear pads makes establishing a decent seal pretty easy.
How do you control the HyperX Cloud II Wireless?
When you mute it, a red LED ring around the base of the detachable mic will light up.
The headset sports a pretty minimal suite of onboard controls, with a volume dial on the edge of the right headphone, and a power button and mic mute button on the edge of the left.
Should you download the NGenuity app for the Cloud 2 Wireless?
For everything else, you’ll need to install HyperX’s Ngenuity app, which lets you adjust mic volume, sidetone, power saver functions, and turn on virtual surround sound. Ngenuity is a pretty standard gaming accessory app—so, not terribly exciting—but it works, and it’s laid out well enough.
How do you connect the HyperX Cloud II Wireless?
Actually using the HyperX Cloud II Wireless is pretty easy too. This is pretty much a plug-and-play affair, with a minimal hardware interface. The headset connects to your platform of choice using a 2.4GHz USB wireless RF dongle. There’s no 3.5mm connection option, so you’re basically limited to using the headset with the PlayStation 4, PC, and the Nintendo Switch when it’s docked.
What is it like to game with the HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless?
This headset works great on PC and console, but the mic won’t work with most multiplayer Nintendo Switch games.
The HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless offers a great, straightforward gaming experience. It’s comfortable enough to wear for multi-hour sessions, and its battery life means you can fit more than a few in before needing to charge.
Playing games with the headset was similarly great. It handled the surround sound demands of Overwatch, as well as the stereo experiences in games like Hades and Dauntless on PC, all while in a Discord call. There aren’t separate game and chat channels, like in some gaming headsets, but it’s not hard to keep everything clear using the HyperX Cloud II Wireless.
See also: HyperX Cloud II Wireless vs HyperX Cloud Flight S
On console, things like virtual surround sound aren’t available, but the headset nonetheless handles games very well.
I never ran into any issue playing Genshin Impact on PlayStation 4 or Pokemon Sword on Nintendo Switch. However, Microsoft’s compatibility limits and the lack of a 3.5mm option mean you can’t use this headset with the Xbox One. If you’re gaming on PlayStation 5, this won’t have any issues with the console’s built-in 3D audio feature will work well too (it works with any headset the console can connect to).
How is the battery on the HyperX Cloud II Wireless?
You can use the headset while it charges, but you’ll need to have the dongle plugged in.
Battery life among gaming headsets has improved pretty much across the board for a year or two now. Not too long ago, the best you could expect was around 16 hours of playback time. These days, headsets routinely stretch past 24 hours. However, the HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless joins an even smaller group of gaming headsets by cracking the 30-hour mark. At a consistent volume of ~75dB, the headset can last 32 hours, 3 minutes.
It also charges using USB-C, so topping it up only takes an hour or two.
Does the HyperX Cloud II Wireless block out noise?
If only the isolation was as stellar as the sound.
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless offers isolation on par with most gaming headsets, which means its attenuation is generally not great. You won’t run into any issues with the typical sounds of home, but you’re probably als0 not in danger of missing any doorbells anytime soon (depending on how loud you have the volume). Outside, this headset won’t fare as well, but the USB dongle means its portability is pretty limited anyway.
How does the HyperX Cloud II Wireless sound?
Sound this neutral is pretty uncommon for a gaming headset and it hews close to our house curve.
The HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless offers very accurate audio for a gaming headset, accurately outputting audio up to around 4000Hz. The dip in the highs isn’t all that worrying, either—it’s a fairly common trait in headphones and is meant to mimic the response of our un-occluded ears.
Lows, mids, and highs
This headset should be great for pretty much any kind of music. The neutral-leaning frequency response may mean that bass in genres like EDM lacks the impact that some expect, but you definitely won’t run into any issues with distorted sound or auditory masking with the Cloud II Wireless. In Strange Timez off the new Gorillaz album, everything from the piercing echoed notes at the beginning of the song to subtler bleeps and bloops running throughout, to Damon Albarn’s affected backing vocals comes through very clearly.
In game, frequency response like this means you shouldn’t have any issues in just about any kind of game. Avoiding the typical boosted bass means you shouldn’t even have much trouble picking the sounds of footsteps out from the din of gunfire in games like Fortnite or Valorant.
How is the microphone on the HyperX Cloud II Wireless?
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless offers a pretty average microphone for a gaming headset.
The bass response is especially typical, and no doubt tuned to combat the proximity effect, where the bass in someone’s voice will blow out a microphone when too close to it. It’s not as steep a drop-off as many gaming headsets have, but the bottom line is still the same: people with deep voices may find they sound a little tinny and a little quiet when speaking into this microphone.
HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless microphone demo (Non-standardized):
How does the microphone sound to you?
5148 votes
As of February 28, 2022, nearly 87% of readers have rated the mic sample between “okay” and “good,” which is about what you’d expect from an external boom mic.
Should you buy the HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless?
If you’re looking for a gaming headset that’s comfortable, simple, and reliable, you should probably buy the HyperX Cloud II Wireless. Recently, we’ve seen it go on sale for as low as $109 USD, which is a 27% discount.
This headset is great at getting out of the way so you can enjoy whatever media you want.
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless is a great example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” logic at work. Physically, the headset features very few changes compared to its wired counterpart, and that’s a good thing. When it came out in 2015, the HyperX Cloud II was one of the most comfortable gaming headsets on the market, and it still is. The addition of wireless capabilities, paired with a decent enough microphone and audio on par with the HyperX Cloud Alpha makes this a pretty sweet deal for under $150 USD. Plenty of far more expensive gaming headsets aren’t nearly as pleasant to use.
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. This headset nails the fundamentals and offers just enough features to fit right into almost anyone’s gaming setup.
HyperX Cloud II Wireless
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.
Amazon
$149.00 at Best Buy
What should you get instead of the HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless?
That said, this isn’t necessarily the best gaming headset for everyone. If you’re only interested in PC gaming, headsets like the Logitech G Pro X and Razer BlackShark V2 both offer more expansive software features, and comparable audio—there’s even a wireless G Pro X and wireless BlackShark V2, if you don’t mind spending more.
You can tap the power button to cycle the blue LED HyperX logo between on, off, and a “breathing” setting where the light slowly flashes.
If you’re a ride-or-die console gamer, something like HyperX Cloud Flight Wireless checks all the same boxes. Sure you can’t connect to the PC HyperX NGenuity app, but most gaming platforms handle all the fancy features you need anyway.
If you’re a Nintendo die-hard, the Cloud II also doesn’t offer a ton for you, offerings from SteelSeries like Arctis 1 Wireless will probably do more for you, with their USB-C dongles and excellent battery life.
And if the Cloud II Wireless battery performance isn’t enough somehow, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ surpasses 70 hours and has the same USB-C dongle as the Arctis 1. The recent Razer Barracuda X is also a great USB-C wireless option, with its ultralight build and solid audio.
If you’re an Xbox One gamer, the Cloud II Wireless really doesn’t have anything for you, gaming headsets like the Razer Kaira Pro and Corsair HS75 XB both offer Xbox Wireless support, and don’t even need dongles to connect (though they’re only worth using with an Xbox)—the Kaira Pro even supports Bluetooth.
Next: Razer BlackShark V2 vs HyperX Cloud Alpha
Frequently asked questions about the HyperX Cloud II Wireless
No. The HyperX Cloud II Wireless doesn’t have any flashing lights, aside from the one that indicates the mic is muted.
Kingston HyperX Cloud II Headset Review
Gaming headsets don’t have to be just for gaming. Any good set can also work well as regular stereo headphones, as long as they have a 3.
5mm connection and sound good, and the boom mic doesn’t get in the way. However, most gaming headsets embrace brightly colored highlights, sharp lines, glowing lights, and a general science-fiction aesthetic. Kingston went in a different direction with the Cloud II gaming headset ($149.99). By popping off the boom mic, it transforms into an attractive set of over-ear headphones. It sounds very good, though its sound profile is sculpted with a gamer-centric highs-and-lows focus. It also claims to offer 7.1-channel virtual surround sound, and that simply didn’t come through in our tests (few, if any, headphones can produce really compelling surround sound). However, it’s still an excellent stereo gaming headset, a very good pair of headphones, and earns our Editors’ Choice for wired gaming headsets. It’s markedly more expensive than the Plantronics RIG Surround, but it can be used on-the-go unlike the Plantronics headset.
Design
The Cloud II headset comes in two parts: the headset itself and the USB sound card module.
The headset is on a relatively short cable that measures just over three feet and ends at a 3.5mm plug. The USB sound card features a cable that’s twice as long and ends in a USB plug. Both cables are covered in a braided cloth for protection and to prevent tangles.
The look and feel of the Cloud II headset is more reminiscent of a good pair of headphones in its price range than of a gaming product. It’s well-built, attractive, and understated (if you get the gunmetal-and-black or red-and-black versions; the white-and-pink version is anything but). It’s a set of over-ear headphones with detachable boom mic on the left earcup. The headset comes with a small rubber plug to hide the hole when you detach the boom mic.
The headband and pre-installed earpads are made of a leather-like material and memory foam, and sit comfortably on the head without feeling too heavy or tight. The earcups are connected with solid metal joints that click at specific points as you move them in and out of the headband, but don’t fold or swivel.
The cable connects to the left earcup and is permanently attached. The boom mic sits in front of the cable connection and has a flexible metal arm and a foam windscreen.
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4.0
Excellent
Plantronics RIG Surround
4.0
Excellent
Skullcandy PLYR 1 Gaming Headset
4.0
Excellent
Tritton Kama
Connections and Accessories
The USB sound card module features a 3.5mm port for the headset, plus individual volume controls for the headphones and microphone, a sliding microphone mute switch, a 7.1 button that activates the headset’s simulated surround sound, and a shirt clip.
Besides the headset, USB sound card, and boom mic, the Cloud II comes with a large, sturdy nylon carry bag that’s big enough to easily hold the headset and all accessories. It also includes a second pair of earpads made of a more breathable velour than the leather-like cover of the memory foam earpads. This is a surprising treat, since most gaming headsets don’t bother with customizable earpads.
The bag thoughtfully has a separate velcro enclosure to hold the extra earpads and the boom mic. Finally, the headset includes a two-plug airplane adapter.
You can use the headset on its own with any device with a 3.5mm output, like the PlayStation 4’s controller port or the Xbox One’s headset adapter, but for PC use, you should use the USB sound card adapter. It serves as a digital-to-analog convertor (DAC) and surround-capable sound card, and handles all audio processing itself rather than relying on your on-board audio. Without the adapter, the Cloud II is a stereo headset. This is much more flexible than the Plantronics Rig Surround ($99.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , which also offers both USB and 3.5mm audio connections, but requires USB power and a relatively bulky remote device designed more for desktop use than hanging from your shirt.
Performance
The Cloud II’s virtual 7.1-channel surround sound is just that: virtual. It uses audio processing to mix the left and right channels of the headset to produce a sense of surround sound.
When connected to a PC, it’s activated by pressing the 7.1-channel button on the USB cable. However, no amount of audio tricks can really get surround out of two drivers, and the effect is more an expanded dynamic range rather than any actual audio positioning. I played Team Fortress 2 and Serious Sam 3: BFE, and in both games the 7.1-channel button made the action sound slightly «bigger,» but only in the sense of loudness rather than sound field. Despite clever fades between left and right, I didn’t get a sense of any opponents or monsters really manifesting in front of, behind, or at any angle relative to me; it was all just stereo action.
That doesn’t mean the audio quality is bad. It’s impressively loud, with a very sculpted sound that emphasized both high end and low end to really bring out the sounds of gunfire and explosions.
See How We Test Headphones
Since the Cloud II can easily double as a pair of over-ear headphones by removing the boom mic and either plugging the headset into a smartphone or tablet or using it with the USB adapter on your computer, we tested it for how well it can handle music, not just game audio.
It passed our bass test track, The Knife’s «Silent Shout,» with flying colors. At maximum volume it handled both the bass synth notes and the kick drum hits without a hint of distortion while presenting an appreciable amount of force in the low end.
The headset’s sculpted sound focuses on the lows and highs, and this really shows in MC Lars’ ode to ska, «This Gigantic Robot Kills.» The treble of the horns and higher-pitched guitar riffs and the thumping bass and drums stand in the center of the mix, and MC Lars and MC Bat Commander’s vocals sit just slightly behind them. The midrange isn’t muted at all, and the sound is still very enjoyable, but the beat and the horns really take center-stage.
Kevin Swalby of The Heavy’s higher vocals have a much easier time staying in the spotlight of «How You Like Me Now,» where it punches into the foreground of the mix to stand alongside the prominent bass and drums. Again, the midrange doesn’t sit in the background, it just cedes more space for bass and treble than you would hear with a flat-response headphone pair.
The Kingston HyperX Cloud II is a well-built, comfortable, excellent-sounding gaming headset that comes with its own optional USB sound card. It’s generous with accessories, and will work with all computers and mobile devices, and most game systems out of the box. Its 7.1-channel surround sound is an illusion, though, but that’s the case with most headphones; you simply can’t get real surround imaging that close to your ears, especially when you only have two drivers. If you want an audiophile experience and don’t need a mic at all, the Sennheiser HD 558 can be found for the same price, but lacks any gaming features. You can also go wireless with the excellent Skullcandy PLYR 1 ($149.99 at ThinkGeek)(Opens in a new window) headset if you don’t mind losing mobile device compatibility for home convenience. Finally, if you’re just looking for an inexpensive headset you can use with anything, the Tritton Kama ($27.99 at Quill)(Opens in a new window) can be found for a fifth of the Cloud II’s price, though you’ll obviously be compromising significantly on sound quality.
Kingston HyperX Cloud II Headset
4.0
Editors’ Choice
Pros
-
Attractive, understated design.
-
Solid build quality.
-
Works with PCs and mobile devices as well as most modern game systems.
Cons
-
Virtual 7.1-channel surround isn’t effective.
-
Besides the USB sound card, cable isn’t detachable.
The Bottom Line
The Kingston HyperX Cloud II is a gaming headset that doubles as an unassuming pair of good-sounding, over-ear headphones.
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HyperX Cloud II gaming headset review from Kingston / Overclockers.ua
Key players in the computer components market have long recognized the importance of the gaming peripherals business. Among the press releases of eminent companies, there are regular announcements of gaming mice, keyboards, gaming surfaces and headsets. In order to successfully debut and gain a foothold in a new segment for themselves, manufacturers use different approaches and techniques. Some try to highlight new items thanks to the original design or non-standard case shape, while others try to immediately develop a market flagship that will combine all the latest developments. In practice, such actions do not always give the desired result. Over time, a specific design can become a source of annoyance, and the consolidation of many technologies inevitably leads to an increase in the retail price of the device.
There is a third way, when the manufacturer is clearly defined with the target audience of the product and focuses solely on its needs.
Today we will talk about just such a case, and to be precise, Kingston and its experience in developing the gaming headsets line. Based on the main profile of the American vendor, the company does not have the ability to independently provide a full cycle of production of headphones, therefore, it is necessary to enlist the support of a partner who will act as a foundation for further development. After a brief collaboration with SteelSeries, QPAD became such a partner. Although for the majority of Ukrainians this name means little, foreign gamers are well aware of the products manufactured under this brand and speak positively about the quality of their manufacture. There is another hidden feature — the latest generation of QPAD headsets was developed with the active participation of Beyerdynamic. During its more than ninety years of history, this German manufacturer has managed to become one of the market leaders in the production of studio microphones and headphones, whose solutions have been registered in the best recording studios around the world.
So what do you get when two companies with a lot of experience working with professional esports teams get in on the action, and Beyerdynamic itself backs them up?
Kingston HyperX Cloud II (KHX-HSCP-GM)
As the name implies, we have an updated version of the HyperX Cloud headset. Compared to the previous model, the connection scheme of the device with a PC has been optimized, several design updates have been made, and the technical characteristics of the microphone have also been improved. The headset is still aimed at gamers and has an affordable price.
| Headphones | HyperX Cloud II (KHX-HSCP-GM) |
| Manufacturer website | kingston.com |
| Audio channels | 2.0 (Virtual 7.1) |
| Speakers, mm | 53 mm, with neodymium magnets |
| How it works | closed |
| Impedance, Ohm | 60 |
| Frequency range, Hz | 15–25,000 |
| Nominal sound pressure level, dB | 98±3 |
| THD | < 2% |
| Connection interface | single stereo mini plug (3. 5 mm) |
| Weight, g | 320 |
| Cable length, m | 3 (1m + extension 2m) |
| Compatible | PC, MAC, PS4, Xbox One (via adapter) |
| Microphone | |
| How it works | pressure gradient |
| Frequency range, Hz | 50–18000 |
| Sensitivity, dB | -39±3 |
| THD | 2% at f = 1 kHz |
| Cost, $ | 120 |
Headphones are made according to the classic 2.0 scheme. It is based on a pair of neodymium magnets with a diameter of 53 mm. The frequency response ranges from 15 to 25,000 Hz, which is superior to most competitive models from ASUS, Logitech or Razer. There is also a virtual 7.1 surround sound mode, the activation of which may be required in modern computer games. The frequency range of the microphone in the new model has been extended from 100-12000 Hz to 50-18000 Hz.
The manufacturer claims that HyperX Cloud II is compatible with all current platforms, including the latest generation of game consoles.
Delivery and contents
The device is supplied in a medium sized cardboard box. At the top of the packaging is a note about the use of this headset by a number of esports organizations such as SK Gaming, Alliance and Team Liquid. And in this case, this is not just a loud statement, as one might expect. The headset has a large number of small details aimed at making life easier for professional gamers or just active gamers, which we will look at in more detail during the review.
The reverse side contains information about the key features of HyperX Cloud II. You can highlight an external USB-sound card combined with a remote control, a soft headband with anatomical memory and a removable microphone.
Inside there is another box made of thicker cardboard, which has a positive effect on the level of protection during transportation.
The integrity of the device is further enhanced by a foam seal. Every detail is securely fixed in place.
The scope of delivery is comparable to more expensive premium solutions. In addition to the headphones themselves, there was room for a spare pair of velor ear pads, a detachable microphone, a USB control unit/sound card, a fabric case and an air adapter. The case has an additional compartment where you can put a microphone or other little things.
Total cable length is three meters. Two of them fall on an extension cord combined with a control panel and a USB sound card. The USB block allows you to activate the virtual surround mode, adjust the volume of the headphones and microphone, or completely deactivate the latter. A clothespin is provided at the bottom of the case for convenient placement of the block on the wearer’s clothes.
The second part of the wire connected directly to the headphones is shorter.
Its length is one meter, and a 4-pin mini-jack is used as a plug. In practice, this makes it possible to connect HyperX Cloud II to mobile devices and use them to listen to music on the road, if you are not confused by the full-size dimensions of the device.
Air adapter is a rare guest in modern delivery sets of similar products. It is unlikely that it will find active use among most potential buyers, but here it is worth remembering the esports component of the headset. The manufacturer has taken care that players can use HyperX Cloud II during the flight to the venue of tournaments and competitions.
Appearance and ergonomics
The headset has a simple design. There are no backlight elements in the design, which gives the device more solidity. The color scheme consists of a combination of black and silver shades. A modification is also available for sale, where aluminum has been replaced by a rich red color. The side edges of the ear cups are decorated with metal inserts with a rough polished structure that is fashionable today.
On each of them is the logo of the HyperX series. Leatherette and plastic are used as other finishing elements, with a soft-touch coating that is pleasant to the touch.
The first thing you notice when picking up the headset is its weight. The mass of HyperX Cloud II, excluding the cable, is 320 grams, so the headphones are practically not felt on the head. Additionally, the comfortable shape of the ear cushions contributes to the effect of lightness. Their diameter is 105 mm, so they completely cover the ear. The resulting level of sound insulation can be described as high. By putting the headset on the head, the potential owner protects himself from almost all third-party sources of noise, which allows him to fully concentrate on the game process.
For the summer period, a replaceable pair of velor ear pads is provided. The latter, as a «breathable» material, reduces the likelihood of excessive sweating in hot weather and, as a result, contributes to a higher level of comfort during long gaming sessions.
Although the outer headband has an internal metal frame, its design is highly flexible. Headphones willingly adapt to the shape of the wearer’s head, while avoiding excessive pressure in the ear area. Leatherette is used as a finishing material. On the inside of the headband there is a soft lining made of polyurethane foam and with an anatomical memory effect.
Another HyperX series logo embroidered on the back of the headband. It is worth noting the high quality of the seams throughout the device. I couldn’t find any protruding threads.
The headband is adjustable in seven steps on each side of the headphones. This is the simplest and most common adjustment system among all gaming headset manufacturers.
The microphone mount is located in the left cup of the device. Thus, the user can easily disconnect it, turning HyperX Cloud II into ordinary headphones.
You just have to carefully monitor the plug that closes the connector. Due to its small size, it is quite easy to lose it.
The microphone has a flexible base and is able to take almost any desired shape. At its end is a foam nozzle to filter out unwanted noise (breathing, etc.).
When assembled, HyperX Cloud II looks nice. To some extent, the design of the device can be called «adult», which looks somewhat unusual against the backdrop of the many bright colors and futuristic shapes that dominate the gaming headset segment today.
Sound quality and user experience
Overall, the sound quality of Kingston’s HyperX Cloud II came as a surprise to me. It’s not exactly what you expect to get when buying a gaming headset, in a good way. Typically, such devices are best suited for participating in computer battles, but do not always live up to expectations when listening to music. In the case of HyperX Cloud II, we can talk about the presence of a balance in both directions.
Perhaps the participation of Beyerdynamic really affected here.
A number of popular online projects were selected for testing in gaming applications: Counter-Strike 1.6, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Battlefield 4, Dota 2, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The best use case would be a «classic» stereo mod. In it, the headset sounds more lively and bright. Any shots and movements of enemies around the map are clearly audible, it is not difficult to determine the direction of steps. Activating virtual surround sound will be justified in Battlefield 4, The Witcher saga or similar games, where it positively affects the atmosphere and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the gameplay.
As mentioned earlier, playing music tracks is not a weakness of HyperX Cloud II. For a clearer comparison, another pair of headphones was added to the test — Sennheiser HD 555. Both models were tested with different connection options: to the ASRock Z97 Anniversary motherboard (Realtek ALC887 audio codec), paired with an external sound card from the HyperX Cloud II kit, and with ASUS Essence STX II 7.
1 sound card.
Realtek ALC887 built-in audio codec is clearly not enough for full-fledged operation of devices. Most musical compositions sound flat and inexpressive. In addition, the maximum volume level is low. The situation changes dramatically if the headphones are connected to an external USB sound card. HyperX Cloud II open up and start to please with their sound. The volume margin increases noticeably, there are no dips in any frequency range. Headphones are perfect for listening to modern music genres, as well as classical styles. But the use of ASUS Essence STX II 7.1 no longer brings such noticeable dividends. Subjectively, one can note a slight improvement in sound detail in certain compositions. For example, when listening to Bruno Pelletier — Le Temps Des Cathédrales the background vocals become more distinct. All this testifies to the balance of the headset from Kingston as a product as a whole. The standard sound card does its job well and does not act as a deterrent.
Although there is no direct competition between the HD 555 and HyperX Cloud II, it turned out to be quite difficult to single out one model. Headphones sound different. The Sennheiser product is characterized by well-developed high frequencies, while the Kingston has a richer bass. In this case, there is no excessive aggressiveness. Tracks like Flyleaf — Fully Alive , A Perfect Circle — Passive , Poets of the Fall — Carnival of Rust is more pleasant to listen to with headphones from Kingston.
We were pleased with the ergonomics of the headset. At the time of writing this review, the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto V was released, followed by an eight-hour gaming marathon. During such a long gaming session, there was no desire to pause and give the ears a rest. The user simply forgets about the headset, and this is perhaps the best recommendation that can be given regarding the usability of any device.
There were no complaints about the operation of the microphone.
Interlocutors will easily recognize your voice, whether it be Skype, TeamSpeak, Ventrilo or voice chat in the game. The foam nozzle eliminates most unwanted noise.
Conclusions
Kingston’s HyperX Cloud II is a quality and versatile device. It will suit both avid gamers and those who are looking for universal headphones with the ability to connect a microphone. The product is characterized by high sound quality in games and when playing music, which distinguishes it from most gaming headsets. The experience of cooperation with professional e-sports organizations has had a positive impact on the ergonomics of the device, and the laconic design and high quality materials complete the set of advantages. For some, the orientation of the device to work only with an external USB sound card can be a limiting factor, because the cable length (without a USB extension cable) is only one meter, and a single “mini-jack” acts as a plug. On the other hand, the capabilities of the bundled sound card are enough to unleash the full potential of the headset, and a short cable is more convenient to use when connecting to mobile devices.
As a result, HyperX Cloud II can be safely recommended for purchase as one of the most successful examples of a favorable price / quality ratio on the market.
Overview Kingston Hyperx Cloud II Gun Metal
Everyone who uses a computer for gaming understands how important it is to have good hardware. It directly affects the course of the game, thanks to it, we can easily win the battle. We also have significant advantages over those who use a regular headset or other computer devices.
Among the various press releases from leading manufacturers, there are a variety of gaming mice, headsets, keyboards. Famous brands showcase a real work of art, expressing talent in their products. Some seek to create a high-quality device, thanks to innovative techniques, others ordinary equipment, but with an amazing design. But there is a third option: when a company produces a product of high quality, with an attractive design, and with ample opportunities. «Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gun Metal» is a prime example of this, so we have prepared a detailed review of this headset for you.
Specifications and features
So, we have an upgraded version of HyperX Cloud II Gun Metal. In terms of design and performance, it is far ahead of the previous model: the PC connection has been optimized, the design has been updated, and the technical properties of the microphone have been significantly improved. The device is aimed at gamers, while it is characterized by a democratic cost.
Headphones are made in the usual, classic 2.0 scheme. The base consists of two magnets, the diameter of which is 54mm. Sound range 15 25000 Hz. This figure is in many ways superior to most competitive models. The headset has a 7.1 surround sound mode. In almost all games, using this mode, you will get an advantage over your rivals. Cloud II Gun Metal headphones are suitable for all current platforms, including modern consoles.
Key features:
- Full size earphones.
- Wired mode.
- Closed sound insulation.
- High-quality, built-in noise canceling microphone.
- Headphone sensitivity 41±3dB
- External sound card 7.1.
- Speaker size is 53 mm.
- Connection interface: USB.
Packaging and Contents
The headset comes in a medium size cardboard box. At the top of the package is a note about exploitation in esports organizations: Alliance, Sk, Tim Liquid. And this is a serious proof that these headphones are chosen by professionals. On the other side is information about the main advantages of Cloud II. Inside the box there is another package, which is made of thick cardboard. This has a positive effect on the level of protection during transportation, and the foam rubber seal complements this property. All parts are securely fixed in place. In addition to the headphones, the package contains a pair of velor ear pads, a detachable microphone, a USB control box, a sound card, a fabric case and an airline adapter.
Cable length 3 meters, 2 of which are an extension cord, compatible with the remote control and USB card.
Thanks to the USB block, you can turn on the virtual surround sound mode, adjust the volume of the microphone and headphones.
The second, shortened part of the wire is connected to the headphones. Thanks to him, you can connect the headset to your smartphone and listen to music on the road.
Air adapter is the rarest part in modern kits. It is rarely used among potential owners, but the company has made sure that people use HyperX at the time of the flight.
Headphone design
The appearance has a strict style. There are no backlight elements in the design, so the device looks more solid. The color scheme consists of silver and black shades. The side face of the cups is decorated with a metal insert with fashionable polishing. Each cup has a company logo. Headphones are made of plastic and leatherette, as well as a soft-touch coating that is pleasant to the touch.
The first time you pick up the device, you will notice its light weight. Weight without a cable is only 315-325 grams, wearing a headset on your head you almost don’t feel it.
The comfortable shape of the ear cushions complements the light weight, making the headphones comfortable to wear. The diameter of each ear cushion is 105mm, so they completely cover the ear. The noise isolation level is classified as «high». When using, you will not be distracted by extraneous sounds, so you can fully immerse yourself in the gameplay.
In summer, the owner of these headphones can use velor ear pads. This breathable material minimizes the chance of sweating and offers great comfort during long gaming sessions.
The headset adapts to the shape of the person’s head, while you will not experience excessive pressure on the ear area. The inner frame is made of metal, and its design is easily adjustable. The whole structure is made of high quality seams, we could not find a single protruding thread.
The microphone is attached to the left cup. It can be easily detached and make the headset a regular headphone. We recommend that you carefully monitor the plug, because of its small size it is easy to lose.
The assembled state of the headset has an attractive appearance. Their «adult» design stands out from the background of analogues.
Operation
To be honest, the sound quality was a pleasant surprise for us. As a rule, such a headset is great for computer battles, but not so much for listening to songs. HyperX Cloud II combines these two factors.
To test their capabilities, we chose popular online games: CS:GO, Dota 2, Warface. During the game, any, even the most distant shots are heard, the movement of opponents is clearly audible, so you can easily determine the direction of steps. The activated virtual surround sound fully justified itself in Battlefield 4, you could hear the bullets flying near the ear, their whistle and the rustle of grass. It really immerses you in the atmosphere.
A separate advantage lies in the ergonomics of the headphones. Even after prolonged and continuous use, there is no desire to remove them to give the ears a rest. Their owner will simply forget about the headset, and this is a laudable recommendation towards convenience.
There are no complaints about the functioning of the microphone. The interlocutors clearly hear the voice in any program: skype, teamspeak, or regular game voice chat. The foam padding keeps unwanted noise out.
Conclusion
Kingston’s HyperX Cloud II is a quality and versatile headset. It is perfect for professional gamers as well as music lovers.
The specialists of the company «Kingston» have created a worthy continuation of the famous line of gaming headphones, which is this model. If you value comfort, quality and versatility, then HyperX Cloud II Gun Metal is for you! We boldly recommend them for purchase, as one of the brightest models in the field of peripheral equipment, with a price / quality ratio.
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing design and stylish look.
- Excellent sound, both in games and when listening to tracks.
- Microphone can be easily removed.
- Includes an external sound card.
- Rich equipment.
