HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset - Black
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is designed from the very beginning with durability and comfort in mind. The band and forks are solid metal, and each movable part of the headset is protected by robust joints or thick padding. The ear cups themselves are made of thick plastic encircling a metal backing, and they use a super thick ear pad to seal to your head. From the moment you take it out of the box, to the moment you hurl it across the room after your squadmates screw up for the thousandth time, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is probably one of the most durable headsets on the market. If you somehow damage the cables or microphone, you can remove both from the headset and replace them for a pittance instead of having to replace the whole unit. While I sound like a broken record saying it, being able to fix your headset is the most important durability feature to have.
When you start using the HyperX Cloud Alpha, you’ll notice that it creates a very good seal against your head after adjusting the band, which is important for two reasons. First, a good seal means your headset won’t jostle around if you move, or slide down your head as the sweat builds. Second, if you want to block out noise from around you, it’s imperative for isolation.
You should want solid isolation if you’re a gamer or work at home in a loud environment, but ear pads this deep and soft are an unfortunate rarity. I wish more headphones followed this example because it would do wonders for ears of all sizes.
About one-third of the way down the included cable is a remote that houses a microphone mute switch, and a volume wheel. It’s definitely convenient to be able to adjust your master volume without changing your computer’s settings when you move back and forth between programs. If you’re a parent or teen, being able to mute the mic when your family members walk in the room is also a good way to avoid the embarrassment of your Discord server hearing your home life.
Detachable noise-canceling microphone
Plug in for game use and easily unplug for music listening.
Discord and TeamSpeak Certified
Improve communication with your squad with clearer voice quality and excellent sound.
Bass, mids
Low notes aren’t going to rattle your skull, and there won’t be a lot of boomy echoes to deal with. That may not be what you’re looking for, but this type of sound means you won’t lose quiet sounds in the low end, like heavy footsteps behind you. When you switch to music, you’ll be able to hear vocals and synths in a good balance of loudness, and you’ll be able to hear the qualities inherent to the instruments, like the distortion added to the low synth in Childish Gambino’s Sober.
Highs
The most interesting feature of the chart above is that dip at 4kHz. While it may seem out of place, it’s not an uncommon way to sidestep some issues that many consumers have with headphones. Namely, it takes the edge off of loud sibilant sounds like f, s, and sh sounds, cymbals, and ringing. Additionally, some listeners experience some resonances and echoes in this range depending on their ear canals, so some manufacturers will also downplay this narrow band to avoid it.
While this is a smart way to go, you may notice some atmosphere effects in your games sound a little off, but it’s really such a minor thing that you won’t notice it until someone points it out. You might notice it in a track like Pink Floyd’s Us and Them when the echoes of the guitar don’t last as long as they might otherwise.
Specification
- Driver: Custom dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
- Type: Circumaural, closed back
- Frequency response: 13Hz–27,000Hz
- Impedance: 65 O
- Sound pressure level: 98dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
- T.H.D.: < 1%
- Weight: 298g
- Weight with mic & cable: 336g
- Cable length and type: Detachable headset cable (1.3m) + PC extension cable (2m)
- Connection: Detachable headset cable - 3.5mm plug (4 poles) + PC extension cable - 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
Microphone
- Element: Electret condenser microphone
- Polar pattern: Noise-cancelling
- Frequency response: 50Hz-18,000Hz
- Sensitivity: -43dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
