Kingston’s gaming subsidiary HyperX is back here with an improved version of the latter. And simply Cloud Alpha S.
With its Cloud series, HyperX has so far written a rather successful score in the field of gaming headsets. Now, with its Cloud Alpha S, the manufacturer is retrying the 7.1 adventure, for a result that we find encouraging but still perfectible.
From an external point of view, it hasn’t changed over the years. The Cloud Alpha S takes up almost exactly the design of its predecessors.
If you follow the streamers or do a bit of pro gaming touring, you will probably recognize the style of these headphones. It certainly has the trademark HyperX look, and a distinguishing factor is the ear band hairpins that have parts cut off.
Alpha S Design
Alpha S was unveiled for the first time on Computex, we could only see that it almost entirely incorporates the design of its predecessor. At first glance, this is rather a good point since the Cloud Alpha has in particular been praised for its durability and comfort.
Aesthetically, only the new blue color of the aluminum forks and the brand’s logo tell that we are dealing with a new model. This breaks with the usual red and black design of HyperX. By examining this helmet a little more closely, we were still able to observe a few small changes.
First of all, there is an aluminum structure at the level of the forks and the skeleton of the arch, promising lightness and durability. The fork adjustment system is also quite similar to the previous version, without its notches being precise and marked, it allows the atria to be adjusted and seems to adapt to most body types.
The design of the ear cups shows a welcome change since it is now possible to rotate them slightly on the vertical axis, which will have for primary interest to ensure a homogeneous embrace. Unlike the HyperX Cloud Flight, rotation on the horizontal axis is not possible here, that is obviously due to the design of this helmet equipped with forks.
Great care in the design of the hoop, and the finishes are excellent. We note that visible seams and the faux leather upholstery have a textured look, but not smoother as before.
The memory foam of the headband and the ear cups seems a little denser to us, but its weight does not feel for a single second.
The leatherette ear cups can become awkward after several hours of use due to friction with the edges of the ear, but overall they breathe well without keeping too warm. Those who will experience some inconvenience with these earpieces can nevertheless replace them with a fabric pair supplied with this helmet; be careful replacing the earbuds is quite tricky, not to say frustrating!
Alpha S Specs
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Smartphones and tablets |
| Transducers | 2x50mm |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 65 ohms |
| Polar Pattern | Bi-directional, Noise-cancelling |
| Sensitivity | 98dBSPL / mW at 1kHz |
| Microphone Type | Unidirectional Electrostatic |
| Microphone Noise Attenuation | No |
| Cable length | 1m |
Sound and Microphone
Despite everything, the Cloud Alpha S is still an evolution. Firstly because it incorporates two new features (7.1 and audio/chat balance), but also because the audio setting of the transducers has been significantly adjusted to improve performance. Used on many games including Destiny 2, CS: GO and Apex Legends, we have found the great qualities that built the reputation of the first Cloud Alpha. The stereo rendering is excellent with generous bass that never veils the mids and highs. The soundstage is relatively precise and balanced but lacks detail due to sound that sometimes seems somewhat muffled. In general terms, this headset remains a safe bet, thanks to its good sound reproduction,
Bass sliders located on the two ear cups, these slides work wonderfully, and you can feel the difference between the closed, middle, and open positions. The bass is much punchier in the open, while the midrange and treble will tend to be more precise in the other two positions.
First of all, it must be said that the sound is different when we switch to virtual surround sound, not only in the width of the scene or its precision but also in terms of intensity and volume.
When it was active, we were surprised by the difference in sound volume, at the same setting. The sounds are much louder, the bass seems to be even more present while providing an additional level of detail. Noises seem to run everywhere, and the experience is quite unpleasant if the sound is pushed too loudly.
Nevertheless, the immersion is very satisfying, and we perceive sound details that we had not noticed before. Upon checking, it turns out that some of these details are almost imperceptible when is off.
An Improved Microphone
If you expected the manufacturer to offer us a better quality microphone than on the previous version, you missed it! This microphone does what is asked of it, that is to say, re-transmit our voice by filtering out surrounding noise. These are indeed filtered in a much better way than on the previous model. But this has the consequence of re-transmitting a less natural voice, which seems compressed by the software processing applied to the signal. The interesting addition here is the sound return function of the microphone, accessible by pressing for 3 seconds the mute button of the microphone located on the small box.
Software Features
As a company-recommended driver, Ngenuity is always working without a problem on many HyperX products. If you want to use Alpha S Cloud to the best of your ability, you need to connect it to your PC via the included USB driver. It usually asks you to download some firmware updates, after which you have to disconnect and reload your peripherals, and then it’s good to go. If it is not installing and working on your computer, you can download it from HyperX’s official web address here.
https://www.hyperxgaming.com/us/ngenuity
With HyperX Ngenuity software, you can make several changes such as volume, chat balance, and virtual surround sound. There’s no way to change the EQ. And the only additional features you’ll find here, other than the usual ones are the sidetone and the afore-mentioned 7.1 carousel auto-optimization for select titles.
The currently fully supported game titles: Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, CS: GO, Apex Legends, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, and Overwatch. Except for the above games, you can also get a better audio experience on any computer or console game.
HyperX Cloud Alpha S Headset Packaging
Fairly large, the box includes six buttons whose functions are very useful. When not sliding on the ground or wrestling with the cable, we can easily turn the surround sound on or off, turn the volume up or down, and balance the in-game audio. There is also a discreet button on the side of the case which allows the microphone to be muted. Considering the size of the case, it is a shame that the manufacturer did not include an additional button to mute the audio. The activation of and mute of the microphone is revealed by the presence of two LEDs, a good point here.
HyperX Cloud Alpha S Headset Price
With all these features, the Cloud Alpha S sells for around $ 129.99. You can only get this in blue accents. However, the new version released with the name Blackout is available in full black for the same price on Amazon, Bestbuy, and other stores.
According to our opinion: the aesthetic part is successful even if, in this price category, it remains a notch below the Logitech G PRO X, the fault in particular with the cable, sheathed in a braid, which drags a little wide between the headset and the hoop.
Fault in the cable, sheathed in a braid, which drags a little wide between the headset and the hoop, but manufacturing inspires confidence, and the finish seems to agree with the price range.
GOOD POINTS
- Comfortable helmet
- Good sound reproduction and precision
- A microphone that honors all volumes of voice
- A successful, which does not distort the sound rendering
- Two sets of earbuds for two different touches
- The adjustment that adapts to all head sizes
- USB and mini-jack connectors for more compatibility
BAD POINTS
- A bit higher price
- Higher frequencies can be a bit hazy
- Microphone still a little tight
Conclusion
The Cloud Alpha S offers the products thanks to its excellent build quality and comfortable fit, and the audio output and location sound are great for gaming. Due to the slightly understated highlights, (The little bass slides don’t have any gimmicks that serve as one of the standalone features – they are sure to affect the overall sound.), it may not be the best headset you can get if you’re someone who listens to a lot of music and is picky about sound quality, but as a gaming headset, it’s a gimmick.
And it’s also a great pair of headphones for listening to music while working or traveling to work or school. The price may be a bit steep for some, but it is an excellent investment if you are looking for a headset that is built with quality materials and will last for several years.
Pictures Credits
HyperX cloud Alpha S @ https://www.mobile-phantom.com/product-info
HyperX gaming headset for PC @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx2xqL8OaYw
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