Review: The HyperX Cloud II makes the best sub-$100 headset a little better - moffettciew1936

At a Glance

Skillful's Evaluation

Pros

Soundcard greatly improves microphone audio
Nevertheless one of the most easy headsets around
Fantastic recent inline controls

Cons

7.1 surround is not amazing
Pricier than its predecessor

Our Verdict

In 2022 we deemed the HyperX Cloud the best budget headset available. The Cloud II is Kingston's new "ain't-broke-don't-fix-information technology" upgrade.

Next-to-last twelvemonth I called the HyperX Corrupt "one of the best sub-$100 gaming headsets I've of all time used." Patently not content with that, Kingston went ahead and released the HyperX Cloud II this year—a trifle pricier, a small-scale more refined.

"Diminutive" beingness the operative articulate here. Not much changed between the HyperX Cloud and its replacement, but the two do differ in some distinguish shipway. Namely, the addition of a built-in USB soundcard.

This review is part of our roundupof topper gambling headsets . Operate there for inside information happening competitive products and how we tested them.

Lateral moves

In terms of the headset itself, the HyperX Cloud II is (Eastern Samoa far as I can Tell) identical to its predecessor. The colors wealthy person changed a bit, but IT's otherwise the same premium-feeling metal-and-"leather" I loved from the first iteration. In my germinal HyperX Cloud review I said, "The solid metal construction gives this headset both a nice heft and a durability that's unmatched in the Cuban sandwich-$100 range," and I pedestal by that statement.

And it's even as comfortable as before. The designation for this headset mightiness've hail from Kingston's partnership with the Cloud9 esports squad, but "Cloud" is every bit appropriate for the flavor of the device itself. It's so easygoing.

Unfortunately sticking to what worked last time means the Cloud II carries over some of the same sins as its predecessor. You can't rotate the earcups, which is a pain if alike ME you have a habit of pulling your headset downhearted around your neck. As wel, the headset is evenhandedly small—I had to extend the ears most of the way before information technology'd sit on my brain.

Same pros as before. Same cons. Easy.

The main remainder betwixt the HyperX Cloud and Cloud Two is the sound, thanks to the Sully II's inclusion of a 7.1-ready USB soundcard. The first Cloud, by contrast, expired in a 3.5mm jack, with no way to adjust the headset's sound.

To follow honest, it didn't really matter. Part of wherefore I was so enthralled with the original HyperX Cloud was because it had amazing sound quality right outer of the box. In my previous recapitulation I actually same "Kingston makes no attempt at a 'surround' experience, but the sound profile of the HyperX Cloud is better than that on a batch of the headsets touting the feature anyhow," which makes the comprehension of 7.1 support in the Cloud 2 rather funny.

And out of the loge, the HyperX Cloud II has the same great sound. You can all the same punch the Cloud II into a 3.5mm seaman provided you allow for the USB soundcard attachment off, though you'll lose inline controls that way.

The inline controls are actually where Kingston's improved virtually on the original Cloud. The USB soundcard features big rockers for both headset and mic intensity, as well every bit a 7.1 toggle and mic mute. I like the buttons clicked much distinctively, and the mic mute tin be a bit hard to slide back and forth, but it's a huge upgrade compared to stopping point year's tiny intensity wheel and the mute button that made a tasteless "PING" resound when you tapped information technology.

As for how a good deal the soundcard improves the sound quality? Over again, "a little" seems most appropriate. While information technology's great you don't need software installed to use the soundcard, that also agency you're incapable to tweak the sound profile to your heart's content like you can with other USB headsets.

The result is that using the HyperX Cloud II's soundcard is more like-minded a lateral act on than a real betterment. Both the low and the bring dow end of the mids have been boosted a bit from the original HyperX Becloud, while the highs are a bit less clear. Testing with music, specially, I noticed cymbal crashes acquiring lost in the mix—a clear sign that the highs are existence scratched sour the top.

As I said, it's not necessarily worse than the original HyperX Cloud's sound. I just don't know that I'd call it better either. It's a more than games-homeward-bound profile, whereas the original Cloud had a more rounded, Jack-tar-of-all-trades sound.

The 7.1 is, like most headsets, disappointing. I feel like I articulate this in every review of a 7.1 headset (probably because I do), but no headset is going to achieve proper surround sound. At best, you're getting an awkward simulation of information technology. Worsened, the 7.1 introduces some static to the audio that's unnoticeable in loud situations but—to me at least—somewhat distracting in quiet, reflective moments.

I honestly think the original HyperX Cloud with its stereo drivers did a dead fine job of simulating the sort of depth and positional tracking you'd lack from a ring headset—without being a surround headset. The 7.1 here is a marginal advance, in games that reinforcement it. It's non why you'd buy the Cloud II though.

What should make you buy the Cloud II is the fact that the soundcard also improves the mike. The Cloud 2 uses the same weird clastic mike as the original Cloud (complete with that gooselike rubber piece o'er the jack that you'll necessarily lose arsenic soon as you remove it). Last year I complained that the Cloud's microphone was a piece of junk, thanks to a net ton of problems with plosives and noise tone arm.

The Obnubilate II's mike isn't perfect, but it's complemented by noise and echo cancellation improved into the soundcard. Comparing mic recordings I made last year with some from the Cloud II, the dispute is immediately apparent. The Cloud II microphone sounds like an entirely different (better) piece of hardware.

Bottom line

Should you buy the HyperX Cloud II instead of the Cloud? I don't cognise, to be ingenuous. This is a beautiful marginal improvement over last yr—and at a slightly higher price. They'Ra both fantastic budget headsets though, so information technology's really down to personal preference. Do an improved microphone and inline controls justify the higher cost for you?

Either way, I feel for sufficient recommending the HyperX Cloud serial as the outdo sub-$100 headset you can buy, with audio that easily compares to or s high-priced offerings by SteelSeries and Astro.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/427456/review-the-hyperx-cloud-ii-makes-the-best-sub-100-headset-a-little-better.html

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