We put the HyperX Cloud Earbuds to the test to see whether they can hold their own game audio against other in-ear gaming headsets.
Keeping up with the trends is a good idea, given the increase in mobile gaming over several years. In light of this fact, HyperX is just a matter of time before releasing their own gaming earbuds—the HyperX Cloud Earbuds.
Many gamers are still wary of jumping from over-the-ear headphones to gaming earbuds, even if they show promise in mobility.
Could these Cloud Earbuds, with HyperX’s reputation for high-quality game audio, be the launching pad we’ve been seeking? You’ll find out in this comprehensive assessment!
Summary
The HyperX Cloud Earbuds Gaming Headphones are an excellent option for gamers who want to jump from over-the-head models to in-ear headsets. The sound quality is perfect, the headphones are pretty comfy, and they’re worth the money. If you don’t mind a lack of sound isolation, microphone quality, or other sophisticated gaming capabilities, you should still be able to have a good gaming experience.
Things I Like The Most
- A great deal of adaptability
- Immersive gaming audio
- A travel bag is included to keep your phone safe while on the go.
- The tangle-free cable prevents it to not getting twisted.
- Adjustable and comfortable.
- Multi-function button works great.
- Exceptionally clear game audio output
- Compatibility with the vast majority of popular gaming systems
- Hassle-free portable gaming
- Control streaming audio volume
- Works excellent on Bluetooth-enabled devices
Things I Don’t Like
- Cheap packaging
- It does not come with a Y-cable splitter.
- Plastic is the most prevalent component.
- The In-Line mic for game chat is too delicate.
- There’s no bass.
- Leakage of sound
- The microphone’s boom cannot be removed.
- Insufficient soundproofing
- There is no option for surround sound or other complex gaming capabilities.
Who is Behind HyperX Cloud Earbuds Headphones?
HyperX, founded in 2002, has long been a well-known and trusted brand in the gaming industry. It originally started as a high-performance memory brand for gamers and overclockers, manufactured by Kingston Technology Inc.
For their first gaming headphones, HyperX worked with QPad in 2014.
Since then, a wide range of PC, console, and wireless headphones have been developed by HyperX; they all assist gamers in achieving their goals and remaining on top of their game.
The NPD Group has ranked HyperX as the best-selling PC gaming headset brand for the second year. This was not the only achievement in 2016 when it exceeded the 1 million sales mark.
The following year, HyperX became the official gaming headset partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Mavs Gaming NBA 2K League Team for the next two years.
Brand’s popularity never slowed there. iF DESIGN AWARDS and three Red Dot Awards were among HyperX’s many accolades in 2018. At the same time, it has sold 5 million headsets, making it the world’s best esports headset manufacturer.
Much to the astonishment of many enthusiasts across the globe, HP, another well-known technology corporation, formally bought the HyperX brand for $425 million in June 2021.
Technical Specifications
- Cable Type and Length: 4 poles, 1.2m
- Speaker Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Polar Pattern: Omni-directional
- Weight: 19g
- Drivers: Dynamic 14mm with neodymium magnets
- Mic Sensitivity: -42dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
- Headphone Design: In-ear headsets
- Sound Pressure Level: 116dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
- Impedance (Ohm): 65 Ohms
- Mic Frequency Response: 100Hz-6,300 Hz
- Audio Jack: 3.5mm TRRS
- Total Harmonic Distortion: < 2%
- Microphone Type: Electret condenser microphone
- Multi-function button
- Ear Monitors
Packaging
I was astonished by the packaging, given that this is a high-end brand. It looks like something you’d find in a supermarket.
There’s a good chance this is the new design. As a result, I prefer the company’s former packaging option, a more luxurious and secure storage flip-top cardboard. As to why they made the transition, I don’t agree with the design choice made by HyperX.
This latest iteration does not seem to be safe or secure. To put it mildly, it’s a little on the cheap side. Because the earphones are hidden in the package, you can’t see them. They’re in a pouch that’s encased in a piece of plastic.
Instead of saving money on packaging, I hope they spend it on improving the product’s quality.
What do you get in the box:
- Earphones: 1 pair of HyperX Cloud Earbuds
- Two more sets of ear tips
- Travel pouch with a zipper
- Sticker
First and foremost, I think the bag is beautiful. The HyperX Cloud Earbuds logo at the very top completes the package. That they went with an embossed pattern instead of going all out with their name is a nice touch.
When I opened the bag, I saw the IEMs securely tucked away within the zippered compartment. A cable tie holds everything together when you take a closer look. So you don’t have to worry about any tangling or leaking out as you open the little case.
I found two small pouches with extra ear tips in the mesh pocket on the other side of the pouch.
Design
There is just one colorway of the Cloud Earbuds, representing the brand’s famous red and black color scheme.
They’re designed unusually. You may use the silicone ear tips as stabilizer wings, with tiny openings that help hold the IEMs in place on your ears.
HyperX Cloud Earbuds chose to stick with its brand colors and branded each earphone with the HyperX logo. Because of this, they’re a little more noticeable. However, these IEMs are designed for lengthy gaming sessions, and any professional player can tell by looking at them.
IEMs aren’t typically designed to seem like gaming peripherals, but the HyperX Cloud Earbuds have done precisely that.
Cable
The wire caught my attention. Flat and brilliant red in color, it’s a great accent piece. Moreover, it’s a standout feature that lends itself well to the entire design’s gaming vibe.
The length is ideal for gaming on mobile devices. Furthermore, the flat cable design makes it less likely to get tangled, which is the primary goal of this type of cable.
Despite my preference for braided nylon cables, the cable’s rubber substance seems strong enough. However, it is likely to lose its color with time.
The in-line audio control is one of the features that caught my eye. In addition, the multi-function switch is a single button on it.
According to what I’ve read, the main use of this multi-function button is to answer and pause phone calls and music. However, when it comes to gaming, this button is essentially worthless. Using it on my Nintendo Switch didn’t result in any results.
Hardware volume controls and mute are not accessible through the in-line controls. You’d have to do it manually on whichever device you’re using, which is painful, mainly while playing for long periods.
Finally, the Cloud Earbuds include a distinctive right-angle jack. Again, this is a great design option since it makes them incredibly pleasant to use on mobile devices.
Connectivity
The 3.5mm TRRS jack is, of course, standard. 3.5mm CTIA standard connectors are required for this item to work with other 3.5mm devices. As a result, I cannot utilize it on my PC because I don’t have a Y-cable splitter. On the other hand, the Cloud Earbuds are mainly designed for use with mobile gaming.
This is fine for mobile game consoles, even though a Y-cable would have been better.
Build Quality
At first, I was a bit disappointed by the packaging, but the quality of the product soon won me over. It is a highly rated, well-priced product for what you get.
It has a sumptuous feel with its matte rubber exterior. It seems resistant to wear and tear, making it a long-term investment. Instead of splurging on the packaging, I thought the manufacturer would rather spend their money on materials, which is a good thing. I’ve been enchanted by this guy.
Although everything is tightly packed, there still seems to be some unutilized room.
The plastic used in the earphones is fine, but I would have anticipated something more luxurious for the price range. Instead, earpieces seem to be made of the same material as the wire but more rigidly. Even while this results in a highly consistent look, it lacks any sense of creativity.
Although they seem to be strong and are very light, it’s impossible to say how long they’ll hold up in real-world use.
As long as we’re on the subject of luxury, the 3.5mm plug has a glossy gold coating to keep the metal from rusting. It’s fascinating to see where HyperX Cloud Earbuds chooses to spend the most time and effort.
Comfort
Cloud Earbuds claim to be an in-ear headset, but I can’t tell if they are. They don’t enter the ear canal but rather sit on top of it. So it doesn’t matter that my ears aren’t sealed because there’s no vacuum inside.
Thanks to their flexible silicone construction, the patented silicone ear tips are incredibly comfortable to wear. Even though they’re a little loose, they don’t feel they’ll fall out. It’s easy to get rid of them because of their shape.
The Quality Of The Sound
The sound quality was excellent, as expected from HyperX Cloud Earbuds. Mids and highs are well-balanced because of the 20–20 kHz frequency range.
It’s challenging to eliminate outside noise with earphones, but the Cloud Earbuds do an excellent job of dampening it enough to make it bearable. For example, playing a mobile game like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” with headphones was not distracting.
I put the volume all the way up to attain complete sound isolation, which resulted in a lot of sound leaking. So regardless of your game, everyone around you will hear you.
Despite this, I could pick up on every little detail, such as wind direction or ocean waves, in my surroundings. Compared to a pair with active surround sound, this was rather outstanding.
No mid or low frequencies were drowned out by gunfire and explosions in Fortnite. Because of this, I would have preferred a bit more bass. However, the remainder of the spectrum would be out of whack if this happened.
The Cloud Earbuds were promoted as having boosted bass, which was not the case, in my opinion. Although, to be fair, the absence of bass does contribute to the realism of some noises, such as explosions, so it’s not entirely depressing.
In-game noises like footsteps and the voices of my colleagues were well-received. I thought it remarkable that locating your foes was so simple, but it might have been better if the casual games included surround sound.
Microphone Quality
The built-in microphone works appropriately but is still susceptible to picking up audio from your surroundings. So, in addition to the sound of my heartbeat, it also detects my respiration. This may be a drawback of the omnidirectional design of the microphone. However, the Cloud Earbuds lack a noise-canceling microphone, so this shouldn’t shock you.
Despite this, my voice did not seem to be cut off. Despite this, there’s some reverb in the sound.
Comparisons
The detachable boom microphone is a significant distinction between the Cloud Earbuds and the Turtle Beach Battle Buds. The Battle Buds have a unique design characteristic that sets them apart from their competitors. Unfortunately, the boom microphone’s benefits are limited to its design. Because of its echo and high sensitivity, the Battle Buds’ boom mic is inferior in audio quality to the HyperX Cloud Earbuds.
However, the in-line noise control on the Battle Buds is necessary for gamers. The Cloud Earbuds are very lacking in this department.
The Cloud Earbuds come out on top in terms of comfort. The ear tips of each pair are different. On the other hand, these lighter devices were quite pleasant on the ears, but the Battle Buds were a pain to wear.
The Battle Buds come with their soft bag that you can tie together, while the Cloud Earbuds come with their rubber zip-up cover. As a result, the Cloud Earbuds now have an advantage over the competition.
The HyperX Cloud Earbuds are, without a doubt, my top pick. Despite the absence of a detachable microphone and adequate volume control, these headphones outperform the Battle Buds in every other way possible.
Final Thoughts
The Cloud Earbuds are an excellent option for gamers who want to jump from over-the-head models to in-ear headsets. The sound quality is perfect, the headphones are pretty comfy, and they’re worth the money. Even while sound isolation and microphone quality aren’t going to be top-notch, you should still be able to have a satisfying gaming experience.
However, the lack of in-line volume settings may interfere with your gaming experience.
As a result of HyperX’s efforts, IEMs may be used to create a gaming headset that is as good as traditional over-the-ear models. These might be useful for gamers who simply need a basic set of headphones.
Though they have good game sound and microphone quality and are cheap, these headsets don’t have gaming features like a built-in surround sound system or fancy controllers.
On the other hand, Cloud Earbuds are an excellent option to buy from third-party sellers if you’re merely searching for something lightweight, comfortable to wear, and sounds fantastic.
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