HyperX Cloud Flight Wireless Gaming Headset – Review
PC, PS4
Headsets seem to be almost a dime a dozen these days. You can’t swing a stick without hitting another new headset from another new competitor. Price, features and looks all vary but essentially they all do the same thing, put sound in your ears and broadcast your voice to the world. So the trick becomes picking one that is reliable, produces high-quality sound, is comfortable and doesn’t break the bank. I am pleased to say that the HyperX Could Flight Wireless Gaming Headset almost gets top marks in all of those areas, making it a great choice for gamers.
The Cloud Flight Wireless is the latest headset from HyperX and it brings with it a well-earned reputation for quality which is well on show here. It has a simplistic style, with a plain black finish, but it is one that speaks of functionality and comfort. The headset is fully adjustable with rotating earcups and a generous, padded band that fits over a massive head like mine with no discomfort. Nothing about this headset feels flimsy or fragile and all the controls, like volume, are on the bottom of the earcups, a logical place to place them without getting in the road.
I mentioned comfort before and it really is one of the main highlights of the Cloud Flight, It is possibly the comfiest headset I have ever worn. The soft padded cups don’t put any pressure on my ears and everything fits snugly so there is no wiggling or irritation. I used this headset to play a good four-hour Monster Hunter session and I honestly forgot that I was wearing them. They do a great job of blocking outside noise too, which is perfect in my house. I could happily play away without hearing my kids yelling “Dad I’m hungry” or “Dad, he’s hitting me” or “Dad the house is on fire”. In all seriousness though, in a busy household, these are great to get some “me” time in amongst the chaos.
The Headset works using a USB receiver, plugged into a PC or PS4 and is automatically recognised by both, making the setup super simple. It can be used as a headset only with an Xbox One or Nintendo Switch (or anything with a standard headphone jack really) with the use of a supplied chord, but sadly the microphone will not work that way. It is a shame that it could be the “One headset to rule them all” but such is life in the crazy world of hardware licencing and compatibility.
The sound quality is fantastic, with deep bass and clear treble the order of the day. There is no distortion at higher levels and it handles stereo sound perfectly. It is also very easy to pick out voice communications as they never get lost in the in game noise. Speaking of voice communications the microphone is probably the weakest part of the who headset. Don’t get me wrong, it is perfectly fine for chatting to teammates during a game, but it is a little lacking when used as a Microphone for streaming or podcasting, giving voices a hollow sound. That said most serious streamers and podcasters will have a dedicated mic, so that shouldn’t be too much of an issue to most.
Being a wireless headset battery life is always something to consider. Well, it is something that needn’t concern you with the Cloud Flight because it is exceptional. In the three weeks of steady use I have given it, I have only had to charge it once. The battery life is truly impressive and running out of juice won’t be a concern. The other bonus is that it charges with any old micro-usb chord, so you can probably charge it on one of a hundred you have plugged in already around the house.
All of these great features have increased the price to the point it sits at the higher end of the market. It certainly isn’t the most expensive headset out there but at an RRP of $229, it isn’t a an el cheapo either. That being said, a lot of what is on offer with the Cloud Flight is only available in the $300+ price range so compared to the rest of the market it is hard to say this isn’t value for money. Also having gotten my hands on it, I feel confident in saying that thanks to the high build quality it is going to last a long time, so your investment should be a wise one.
The HyperX Cloud Flight Wireless Gaming Headset really is a great wireless headset solution. It is comfortable, built well, packed full of features and doesn’t look like a gaudy accessory from Tron. It is let down just a little by the microphone quality and the fact that the mic doesn’t work in wired mode, which would have made it more versatile, but these are not even close to being deal breakers. This is a great headset and while it isn’t cheap I can put my hand over my heart and say it is worth it. If you are a PC or PS4 gamer looking for a wireless headset than the HyperX Cloud Flight Wireless Gaming Headset really is an A-class option.
Specifications:
Headphone
Driver dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type circumaural, closed back
Frequency response wireless: 20Hz–20,000Hz analogue: 15Hz–23,000Hz
Impedance 32 Ω
Sound pressure level 106dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
T.H.D. < 2%
Weight 300g
Weight w/ mic and cable 315g
Cable length and type USB charge cable (1m) + detachable 3.5mm headphone cable (1.3m)
Microphone
Element electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern noise-cancelling
Frequency response 100Hz-7,000 Hz
Sensitivity -45dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
Battery life:
30 hours – LED off
18 hours – breathing LED
13 hours – solid LED
Wireless Range: 2.4 GHz up to 20 metres
