TL;DR Review: My previous headset broke, so I chose this one after reading/watching reviews. Comfort and durability are excellent, so far. The mic is good enough for calls and gaming. Initially, I was not impressed with the sound of the headphones (sounded like a low bitrate MP3), but then I realized I needed to plug the headset into my motherboard's USB ports rather than the front panel ports. I am now very happy with this headset and would recommend it to anyone looking for a reasonably-priced, comfortable gaming headset. (Owned for 5 months as of 2/27/16)
Full Review:
I purchased these to replace my Plantronics Gamecom 780 headset. The Gamecom headset had a 100% plastic headband which snapped one month after the warranty period ended. Apologies in advance, but I sometimes will compare the Cloud II to the Gamecom 780 in this review because its my only point of reference, and I felt like the Gamecom was an excellent headset prior to breakage. Overall, the Cloud II's have been a worthy replacement, and even an upgrade in many respects, but there are some areas where the Gamecom was better.
After looking at YouTube, WireCutter, and Amazon reviews, I settled on the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset. Almost everyone raved about their durability, comfort, and sound. I know a headphone + stand mic combo can provide a better overall experience, but I didn't feel like spending the ~$200 on that combo just yet.
Fit & Finish
After they arrived, my initial impression of this headset was that it was very high quality. The fake leather on the earcups and the headband is nice and soft, and the stitching on the headband looks good and provides a nice red accent. The red brushed metal on the exposed parts of the frame is also a nice touch. The microphone detaches and reattaches very easily, although I do prefer a flip-up microphone like on the Gamecom 780. However, that's just a preference and shouldn't have any bearing on this review. As for fit, I have a larger head (I'm 6'2", 215 lbs, and probably have a 7-3/8" hat size) and these fit very comfortably. I've worn them for hours while gaming and never felt like the clamping pressure was too hard. Also, they don't make my head/ears sweat or anything like that. The pads on the earcups provide a comfortable seal around my ears that blocks out a lot of noise, which can be a pro and a con sometimes.
Durability
After 5 months of daily use... so far, so good. I recently purchased a hook so I can hang these up rather than just setting them on my desk or on the floor, so hopefully that increases the Cloud II's longevity, but I still don't feel like these will break as easily as the Gamecom 780's. Unless they get stepped on by an elephant or run over by my truck, I don't think the headband on the Cloud II's will be snapping after 13 months like the Gamecoms. The drivers in the headphones are still going strong, and the mic still sounds good. I will update if anything changes.
Headphone Sound Quality
Honestly, the headphones didn't blow me away at first. There was a noticeable difference from the Gamecom 780's in this regard. I felt like the sound on the 780's was awesome for their ~$60 price tag, but the Cloud II's just didn't sound as good. It was like listening to 320 kbps vs. 128 kbps MP3. There was a "graininess" (my terminology, sorry) to all sound - gaming, movies, and calls - that was especially noticeable at low volume. After a couple months, it was annoying me so much that I was about ready to buy a good pair of headphones and separate mic. Then I had an epiphany. I always plug my headset (780 or the Clouds) into my front USB ports (Fractal Define R4 case) because sometimes I like to unplug them and listen to movies/podcasts through my speakers. I had tried both the USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports with the Cloud II's, and the sound was the same on both. One day, I realized I had never plugged them directly into my motherboard's USB ports (Gigabyte Z170X-UD5). As soon as I did, I noticed an immediate difference in the sound quality. The "graininess" went away and I'm now very happy with the sound quality. I now run a USB extension cable from the back of my computer so I can still easily unplug the headset as needed, and the USB extension doesn't add any of the noise/bit-rate issues I was experiencing before.
Virtual 7.1 Surround Quality
I'm really not impressed by the virtual surround performance of the Cloud II's. I felt like the Gamecom 780's had a great virtual surround, or at least better than the Cloud II's. With the Gamecom, I could easily tell when/where an enemy was approaching me in FPS games. With the Cloud II's, I can hear an enemy approaching, but it's a lot tougher to tell where they're coming from. I don't think it's enough of a disappointment to lose a star though, since I can try other virtual surround software (Razer) and bypass the "built-in" virtual surround of the Cloud II's.
Microphone Quality
The microphone is great for voice chat during games (Discord ftw) and Hangouts calls, but I would get a separate microphone if I was doing anything more than that. I don't stream to YouTube or Twitch. I don't record podcasts. I only use it to talk with my friends. They've all told me that it sounds clear and noise-free. If and when I do decide to do more, I'll pick up a Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR-2100 which I know will have a much more professional and richer sound quality at a reasonable price, but I'm not to that point yet. For a ~$99 headset, the microphone is pretty good.
Conclusion
I would definitely recommend this headset to anyone looking for something that has great quality and is reasonably priced. I'd also recommend plugging it into your motherboard vs. the front panel USB ports to avoid any sound issues. The fit and finish are pretty nice, and it definitely feels more durable than my previous headset. The sound quality is great, but the 7.1 virtual surround experience is not very dependable. The microphone is good for gaming and voice calls, but look for a standalone mic if you're doing anything more than that. It's a great headset that does its job admirably, and I don't think you'll find better value for the price.
HyperX Cloud II - Gaming Headset, 7.1 Surround Sound, Memory Foam Ear Pads, Durable Aluminum Frame, Detachable Microphone, Wo
4.5 | 70,359 ratings
Price: 79.37
Last update: 09-10-2024
About this item
15-25kKhz Frequency Response.Headphones fit type:Over-Ear.Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear
Designed for comfort: Exceptionally comfortable memory foam ear cushions and padded leatherette headband help keep you focused on gaming
Supreme audio quality: Large 53 millimeter drivers provide high-quality audio. Hear in-game details better and get the in-game advantage on your opponents
7.1 virtual surround sound: Truly immerse yourself in your games with hardware-driven virtual 7.1 surround sound for precisely located audio
Passive noise cancellation: The closed ear cup design blocks out outside distractions to keep you in the game
Built to last: The solid, durable aluminum frame is built to withstand the blows of daily use
Detachable, noise-cancelling microphone: TeamSpeak and Discord certified so you can chat with your friends and your callouts will be heard loud and clear
Compatibility: 7.1 virtual surround sound on PC & Mac. Stereo on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices
HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers : 50mm drivers reduce distortion by separating bass frequencies from the mids and highs to provide more accurate, smoother in-game audio
Designed for comfort: Exceptionally comfortable memory foam ear cushions and padded leatherette headband help keep you focused on gaming
Supreme audio quality: Large 53 millimeter drivers provide high-quality audio. Hear in-game details better and get the in-game advantage on your opponents
7.1 virtual surround sound: Truly immerse yourself in your games with hardware-driven virtual 7.1 surround sound for precisely located audio
Passive noise cancellation: The closed ear cup design blocks out outside distractions to keep you in the game
Built to last: The solid, durable aluminum frame is built to withstand the blows of daily use
Detachable, noise-cancelling microphone: TeamSpeak and Discord certified so you can chat with your friends and your callouts will be heard loud and clear
Compatibility: 7.1 virtual surround sound on PC & Mac. Stereo on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices
HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers : 50mm drivers reduce distortion by separating bass frequencies from the mids and highs to provide more accurate, smoother in-game audio
Product information
| Wireless Communication Technology | Wired |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Noise Cancellation, Microphone Included |
| Included Components | Detachable Mic, Headphones, Ear Cushions |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Material | Faux Leather, Aluminum, Memory Foam |
| Specific Uses For Product | Gaming |
| Headphones Jack | usb |
| Noise Control | Active Noise Cancellation |
| Ear Placement | Over Ear |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Indoor/Outdoor |
| Compatible Devices | PS4, PC, Xbox One, PS4 PRO |
| Theme | Video Game |
| Control Type | Noise Control |
| Cable Feature | Detachable |
| Item Weight | 275 Grams |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Style | Wired |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Cable Length | 9.75 Feet |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Earpiece Shape | Over-the-ear |
| Is Autographed | No |
| Manufacturer | HP Inc. |
| Item Weight | 9.7 ounces |
| ASIN | B00SAYCXWG |
| Item model number | CL0036606807G |
| Customer Reviews |
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars
69,205 ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #218 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games) #8 in PlayStation 4 Headsets #9 in PlayStation 5 Headsets #28 in PC Game Headsets |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | January 23, 2015 |
| Country of Origin | China |
Top reviews from the United States
DukeAVW
Great, reasonably-priced headset for gaming
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2016kkim
Very fitting name
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2015