HyperX Cloud II Wi-fi Evaluation

The HyperX Cloud II gaming headset got here out six 12 months in the past, and introduced a cast sufficient person enjoy that HyperX has been refining its fundamental design ever since with out wildly converting the glance. There were quite a few Cloud diversifications, such because the Cloud Combine, Cloud Orbit S, and Cloud Alpha S, however HyperX is in spite of everything revisiting the Cloud II—and chopping the twine within the procedure. The HyperX Cloud II Wi-fi is a wi-fi gaming headset to be had for a similar $149.99 value that the stressed Cloud II first retailed for in 2015. The headset plays in addition to the unique Cloud II, however its connection choices prohibit it to PC use.

Vintage Design

The Cloud II Wi-fi seems to be and feels virtually similar to the stressed Cloud II, with the usual HyperX design of giant, oval-shaped black plastic earcups attached to a padded headscarf with Y-shaped steel struts. The obvious visible distinction is that the struts are purple as a substitute of gunmetal grey, as is the sewing at the headscarf. The earpads are the similar cushy reminiscence foam coated in pleasantly supple pretend leather-based, with the similar padding discovered at the headscarf’s underside. At the side of clickable earcup stops, the headset provides a at ease, cosy are compatible.

A big quantity wheel is living at the proper earcup’s again edge, whilst all different controls and connections take a seat at the left earcup. They come with a USB-C port for charging, a connector for the removable increase microphone, and buttons for energy and Bluetooth pairing (with a hallmark LED simply above them). There’s no 3.5mm connection for stressed use; this can be a strictly wi-fi headset.

For PC Gaming

And not using a stressed connection choice, you’ll’t use the HyperX Cloud II with the other recreation consoles’ quite a lot of connections. On PC, the Cloud II Wi-fi supplies non-compulsory 7.1-channel simulated encompass sound thru HyperX’s Ngenuity tool, which additionally controls different HyperX peripherals just like the QuadCast S microphone. The tool is lovely barebones in comparison with Razer and Logitech’s headset regulate apps; but even so toggling the encompass sound, you’ll regulate the mic and headphone quantity and toggle mic tracking. That’s it. There is not any EQ, or any complicated mic settings.

Microphone Efficiency

The increase microphone is an ordinary foam-covered pill on a brief, versatile arm, and it really works properly. Check recordings sounded blank and now not remotely muffled or fuzzy. It is a very succesful headset microphone for many makes use of, similar with Razer’s very good headset mics. After all, for those who’re occupied with streaming or recording, we advise getting a devoted USB microphone; a well-designed one will beat any headset increase mic.

Tune Efficiency

When you like taking note of track for your laptop, the Cloud II Wi-fi is a robust headset with first rate low frequency reaction. It treated our bass take a look at monitor, The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” at most (and doubtlessly unsafe) quantity ranges and not using a trace of distortion. The deep bass synth notes and drum hits get quite a few energy, bordering on head-rattling.

The hole, acoustic guitar plucks in Sure’ “Roundabout” obtain well based resonance and powerful string texture within the upper frequencies. When the monitor correctly kicks in, the bassline takes heart level, however the different parts can nonetheless be simply discerned. Plus, the vocals stand out, and don’t fade into the background. The Crystal Manner’s “Busy Kid” sounds thrilling due to an impressive backbeat and synth riffs that get sufficient prime frequency presence to even it out. It is a rather bass-heavy, well-balanced sound that would possibly now not please audiophiles, however it must fulfill maximum listeners.

Recreation Efficiency

No Guy’s Sky’s starship engines sounded complete and thunderous whilst the usage of the Cloud II Wi-fi. As well as, the apparatus’s beeps and whines stood out from the bass, and the sport’s airy soundtrack proved a lovely presence in my play periods. The simulated encompass sound enabled just right directionality panning in my checks, despite the fact that it did not give an excessively robust sense of whether or not noise assets have been coming from my entrance or rear.

Whilst enjoying Fortnite, I obviously heard footsteps, rustling grass, and floorboard thumps. The directionality got here thru rather well on this recreation, with the headset’s 7.1-channel simulated encompass sound offering cast imaging for the assets of the ones footsteps. After all, it’s nonetheless a ache to determine whether or not that stomping is coming from above or beneath you while you’re in a construction; cautious stereo blending can simplest move up to now.

All-Round Cast Sound

The HyperX Cloud II Wi-fi effectively cuts the stressed Cloud II’s twine, whilst retaining its robust efficiency intact. The headset feels at ease and appears just right, running properly for video games, voice chat, and track. The HyperX Cloud II’s quite priced at $150, however its whole loss of any stressed or non-PC connection choices limits it to purely deskbound use.

If you wish to spend slightly much less, the $100 Razer Nari Very important is an Editors’ Selection pick out for wi-fi PC gaming, whilst the $120 Astro Gaming A20 Gen 2 provides variations that paintings with PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Xbox Collection S/X. The Razer Blackshark V2 Professional is some other very good selection, to be had for a bit of greater than the Cloud II Wi-fi; there is truly a wealth of choices of wi-fi gaming headsets priced properly beneath $200.