Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset Review

It was just last year that Kingston HyperX decided to rebrand some SteelSeries headsets. Sure, they were pretty good headsets for gamers on a budget. Plus, they had that cool HyperX logo which for some enthusiasts really shows pride. The HyperX team then released the Cloud Gaming Headset, which was truly indicative of enthusiast level gamer quality. Not only do the QPAD drivers sound great, but they’re superbly crafted and quite comfortable. In fact, I’ve been hard pressed to meet someone who has been unsatisfied by the HyperX Cloud.

While the Cloud version 1.0 headset offered great audio quality over analog output, the HyperX Cloud II offers the same via a USB 2.0/3.0 headset. It even favors motherboards with some DAC assisted support like the ones from Gigabyte. Is it as good as the first? Even better? Let’s find out!

Design and Platform Features

The Kingston HyperX Cloud II headset, which we first saw at CES earlier this year, is essentially physically the same as the V1 in design, comfort and quality. For example, the 53mm drivers are still made by QPAD, which makes amazing audio speakers. That’s the main reason why they sound so good. Both headsets also support both PC and consoles. That includes Mac, because it is a PC.

In addition to the black and red version shown here, the HyperX Cloud II is also available in black and gunmetal, plus a limited edition version in white and pink.

Audio Features and Specifications

The Kingston HyperX Cloud are high quality stereo while the HyperX Cloud II come with a built-in USB-powered 7.1 HD DSP sound card. That feature can be toggled on and off, from 7.1 surround to stereo. That’s great since some games simply don’t sound so hot in multi-channel mode. The audible difference is that the V1 requires a good audio add-on source, while the Cloud II produces its own audio, making for a richer out of the box experience.

When it comes to hearing all those high and low frequencies, the Kingston HyperX Cloud II ues the internal DSP sound card through 53mm drivers. These create a 15-25K Hz frequency response, meaning the bass will be powerful while the mid range and treble will delight your senses. It’s my professional opinion that a premium or pro gaming headset offer these kinds of specs so that they measure up no matter what source you plug them into. However, if the source is great, your headset will sound great too.

All the Included Accessories

The bundle includes a 6.56 foot extension cord that plugs in to the 3.28 foot default cord. That’s why it’s great for gaming consoles. The mic is removable which plugs in to a rubber grommet-covered port (seen on the right ear cup on the headset). This headset comes with a single-to-dual adapter for using on airplane trips, which we almost never have when needed. Two replacement or optional ear cup cushions are included. Plus, the entire package can be stored away in a nice carry bag, or back in the box if you prefer.

Quick Close Up Look

You can see just how nicely designed the Kingston HyperX Cloud II really is up close. It sports a jet black, red-stitched plush headband and HyperX moniker on the ear cups. The ear cups are superbly soft. The cups are held on by two very strong brushed black aluminum frames. They are bent just right for best fit even if you have an odd-shaped noggin.

Between all these basic, well thought-out attributes, the headset is quite comfortable to wear. The only small thing you might have to contend with is whether or not the wires running to the cup(s) hit your ears or not. I haven’t personally had to deal with this issue or heard of anyone else.

Test Setup

System one consists of a GIGABYTE GA-Z97-Gaming GT motherboard with OP AMP for the audio source. It’s one of the top two gaming motherboards to date with semi-integrated audio. It has a Burr Brown amplifier installed. This system had the original Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Gaming headset connected.

System two has an ASUS Z97 Sabertooth MKI motherboard, which features an integrated Realtek ALC1150 audio processor. It’s still one of the best integrated solutions that helps keep the pricing down. However, since we have a self-powered headset connected, the audio is disabled. This system had the Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gaming headset connected.

After initial testing, the Cloud II was plugged in to the Gaming GT system for a final comparison.

Performance Comparison

This test is essentially subjective, but with a grade of objectivity. I played some games (FPS, action and adventure), listened to music (classical, rap, hip-hop, country) and movies (action, suspense, theatrical, musical) via both headsets. During this process, I noted which headset produced the best quality bass, midrange, and treble, while maintaining clear volume to derive the “audio” score. “Comfort” is scored based on how long a headset can be worn. This test highly depends on the shape of your head. The “design” score consists of design and materials. And finally, the price of each headset in the test group was compared.

The Kingston HyperX Cloud and Cloud II both produced the best quality sound. The Cloud II stepped up, matching the Tritton headset in sheer volume but blew it away in clarity. And, of course, lightweight headsets are always nice to wear, but the Cloud II were also a pleasure due to the headband weight distribution. However, the Cloud II seemed just a little more eager to crank. I could go on and on about how well the Cloud II bring games to life, but we must end this.

Final Thoughts

Of all the headsets I’ve had the privilege of using, the performance of the Kingston HyperX Cloud II Pro Gaming Headset exceeds its price point. The audio quality alone is nothing short of fantastic to experience during any gaming. All of those extra frequencies really help bring out the character of each game. They will also excel when jamming to music or watching movies. Naturally, the Cloud II was awesome with both PC and console gaming. The one tiny caveat against gaming and not the headset is that some games aren’t well-coded to support the multi-channel experience. Still, the stereo experience is blissful.

The design quality just polishes off the experience. I found them quite comfortable to wear for far too long for many a gaming or jamming session. So much attention to detail has been applied right down to their sexy red-stitched exterior. The HyperX designers simply did a great job reflecting quality, comfort and value all at once. I have yet to find a similarly-priced, gamer-centric or enthusiast headset that even comes close.

For a palatable $99 US, the Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gaming headset can be yours in all its audible glory. The Cloud II will leave you feeling your money was well spent given the comfort, performance, and quality which all create an excellent gaming experience. There’s everything to like and nothing to hate. The bottom line: the HyperX Cloud II rocks!