I am always on the lookout for a gaming headset that not only provides an excellent sound experience, is also easier on the wallet, and I can use it for tasks other than just gaming. Earlier, I checked out the HyperX Cloud Stinger, which is a good option for a budget gamer, but this time around, I have the opportunity to check out the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset. There are some pretty great features for the HyperX Cloud Alpha, but being a gaming headset for the USD 100 range, you will probably not find something better than this.
Box Contents and Feature Highlights
HyperX has created a beautiful looking retail box for the Cloud Alpha. Slide off the outer sleeve and gaze upon the black box with the HyperX Logo front an center.
Separate the two pieces of the shell, and it presents a nicely packed headset.
Contents included in the box are:
- HyperX Cloud Alpha headset
- Detachable boom microphone (with pop filter)
- Detachable audio cable with in-line audio control (1.3m)
- Detachable audio extension cable (2m)
- Carrying bag
Features of the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset are:
- HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers
- HyperX Comfort (memory foam ear pads)
- Aluminum frame with expandable headband
- Detachable noise-cancelling microphone
- Discord and TeamSpeak certified
- Works with PC or Gaming Console
With all that out of the way, let’s have a closer look at what makes the HyperX Cloud Alpha headset visually appealing.
Taking a Closer Look at the HyperX Cloud Alpha
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is visually appealing. The black with red aluminum accents makes this a good looking headset. No, you will not find any of that RGB lighting on this model, but it does not need it either. Adorn on each ear cup is the red HyperX logo.
Looking at the ear cups themselves, you will notice they are padded nicely with a leatherette finish. There is enough room for most people’s ears to fit inside comfortably, and the foam will ensure that the headset stays comfortable for long periods of use.
A feature of the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the ability to remove the ear cups, i.e. replace them when they are worn out. The problem I encountered was trying to put them back on. It took me a good 30 minutes, and I hope I never have to do that again, or that perhaps I was trying to put them back on incorrectly? Either way, it is nice that you can purchase replacements if these are ever to wear out.
Moving over to the left ear cup, you can see where the detachable microphone and audio cables plugged into at the bottom. There is also an ample amount of padding on the ear cups too if that was not as evident in the previous images.
The ear cups themselves attach with a metal pivoting hinge. Nice to see that the aluminum construction is used throughout the design as it will help allow for the HyperX Cloud Alpha to withstand years of abuse.
When you move up along to the headband, the styling and aluminum construction continues. A braided audio cable is neatly tucked away as it travels up into the headband itself. Adjustments are made more quickly as you pull or push the headband to fit the size of your head, a little notch in the back of the headband clicks at each adjustment to ensure it stays in place.
The headband itself is comfortable as it is heavily padded and wrapped in the leatherette material. The red stitching carries the colour theme around nicely, and the HyperX logo finds a place in the center at the top.
Performance of the HyperX Cloud Alpha
HyperX Cloud Alpha is one of the best analogue gaming headsets on the market for its price point. The dual-chamber drivers are designed to help isolate the bass from the mid and high frequencies, and overall the headset is good at producing an immersive audio experience in the variety of games that I made use of during my testing period. I played a range of games with differing sound environments such as Apex Legends, FarCry5, Subnautica and to titles such as Minecraft and CitiesSkylines. Each gaming experience had their audio reproduced at a level I could enjoy. I could hear footsteps coming and going in Apex Legends. I could tell where birds were chirping or water was moving in FarCry 5.
Music was a comfortable experience as well with the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Thanks to the form earcups, I could listen to music for hours on end without having sore ears or even sweaty ears. Music sources ranged from uncompressed audio files to streaming of music with YouTube. For the price, the music reproduction was satisfying for me. The Cloud Alpha is an analogue headset that would benefit from the use of a DAC, which would help enhance the audio performance.
The detachable, goose-neck microphone was on par with other headset microphones I have used. Windows picked up the mic right away, and I have had no issues detaching and reattaching the mic either. The included pop filter was a nice added touch. I wish other manufacturers would bundle them as it does assist in the general quality of audio. For general audio chat in Discord or in-game the microphone performs as it should. If you are looking to stream gameplay, it would be adequate, but I would recommend investing in a stand-alone mic like a Blue Yeti or Audio Technica AT2020.
Final Thoughts
Over the past few weeks, I have highly enjoyed using the HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset. I have other sets in my arsenal I could be using, but the comfort and audio experience of the Cloud Alpha has kept it in use. I have had to get used to the in-line audio controls as my previous headsets have had them on the earcups themselves and I do tend to prefer that over the in-line controls. I love the fact that you can detach the microphone with ease when you choose not to use it. The audio cables being detachable is a bonus too if I ever need to travel with this headset as well. I have personally been enjoying the wireless headsets and would love to see the Hyperx Cloud Alpha become wireless much like their other two headsets the Cloud Stinger and their Cloud Flight as I enjoy the styling of the Cloud Alpha.
If you are looking for a comfortable, good audio experience without shelling out hundreds of dollars, then I would highly recommend picking up the HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset.