Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC, Smartphone & MP3 players
Manufacturer: Kingston
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $99.99 USD
The people at Kingston, who you would usually go to for things like SSD Hard Drives and RAM to build your gaming rig, have come out with a line of gaming headsets. The Hyper X Cloud series are some of the most comfortable headsets I’ve ever had the change to place on my headset destroying head.
At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking that the Hyper X Cloud headset was just another run of the mill headset, but you’re wrong. These things are the upper level of gaming headsets without the insane prices that come with the upper level versions by Hyper X’s competitors. The Mav Edition that I was given are the fancier looking of the bunch, with some really cool graffiti style graphics on the sides. There are also black and white versions if you’re one of those boring types, but Mav is where it’s at. Another thing that sets the Hyper X Cloud Series apart from most headsets is that they are COMFORTABLE.
Most headsets, even with their rubber headphone cushions would get annoying after a few hours of wearing, not good for someone who does video recording or podcasts for hours on end like I do; but the Hyper X Cloud Series are different. They have a memory foam ear cushion that moulds to your head so well that most times you forget that you are even wearing them. Hell, I’m wearing them as I write this and I’m not even listening to music or anything. After a while, where other headsets get annoying, the Hyper X Cloud series disappear from your mind till you get up and trip over the cords.
Speaking of cords, you get a long one. The default cord is 1m in length, more than enough for most computers or laptops, but you also get a 2m extension cord that gives you more cord than you will ever need. I personally love this because I can lay down on my bed and talk to my girlfriend on Skype without having to lean myself close to the computer or use the alternative headset plugs in order to be comfortable.
Now how about the main parts of a headset? Well if you’re asking about the sound, then you have nothing to fear. The Hyper X Cloud series headset gives crystal clear 7.1 style sound through the two ear pieces. The sound is so clear in fact that I’m heading things in the background of movies that I’ve never heard before. With games, you get every noise surrounding you that sometimes you have to take your headset off to make sure that was someone sneaking up behind you in game and not in real life, they are that good.
A great bonus with the Hyper X Cloud series is that you can use them with just about anything. So far I have used this headset with my PC, PS4, Samsung Note 4 & Sony MP3 player. Each time the sound has been perfect; and all of it is made possible by the great accessory range that is included with the headset. Hyper X is going a step further by giving you all the things you’ll never need all in one fancy looking package instead of making you buy extra things down the line or resorting to third party add ons. A final note on the headset, it might not be built as a noise reduction headset, but it does take out a lot of background noise when you are wearing them, perfect for long trips when you don’t want to be annoyed by your fellow travellers.
The final thing I want to focus on is the microphone. This thing is fun! The microphone on the Hyper X Cloud series headset is an attachment, so when you are not using it you can just unplug the microphone from the headset with one simple pull down motion. No more microphone destruction by pushing the thing up and down or back into the headset itself. The microphone is on a very flexible but solid free form arm, making it easily the best directional microphone for any headset on the market. The microphone also is crystal clear too when recording and works with all recording programs and chat programs; it’s so clear that people have complained about me breathing! So you’ll either need to adjust the arm or learn how to use push to talk functions.
In closing, the Hyper X Cloud series headset is one of the best headsets ever in my opinion. It’s comfortable, sturdy, and clear in both recording and listening. I was told that you can fall asleep with this on and believe me, it’s happened since I started using it. I’m looking forward to using this headset for a long time to come. So if you have a spare bit of cash laying around when you need a new headset, give the Hyper X Cloud series Mav Edition headset a go, you’ll love it.
Tech specs for the tech heads:
Headset Specifications:
- Transducer type: Dynamic Ø 53mm
- Operating principle: Closed
- Frequency response: 15Hz-25,000Hz
- Nominal impedance: 60 Ω per system
- Nominal SPL: 98±3dB
- H.D.: < 2%
- Power handling capacity: 150mW
- Sound coupling to the ear: Circumaural
- Ambient noise attenuation: Approx. 20 dBa
- Headband pressure: 5N
- Weight with microphone and cable: 350g
- Cable length and type: 1m + 2m extension + 10cm iPhone
- Connection: Mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)
Microphone Specifications:
- Transducer type: Condenser (back electret)
- Operating principle: Pressure gradient
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Power supply: AB powering
- Supply voltage: 2V
- Current consumption: Max 0.5 mA
- Nominal impedance: ≤2.2 k Ω
- Open circuit voltage: At f = 1 kHz: 20 mV / Pa
- Frequency response: 100-12,000 Hz
- THD: 2% at f = 1 kHz
- SPL: 105dB SPL (THD≤1.0% at 1 KHz)
- Microphone output: -39±3dB
- Length mic boom: 150mm (include gooseneck)
- Capsule diameter: Ø6*5 mm
- Connection: Mini stereo jack plug (3.5mm)
As an added bonus, if you want to try and hear more about the Hyper X Cloud series headsets, I’ve included my interview with Ann Bai, the Sale Director of the APAC region of Kingston. We talk the Hyper X Cloud headsets, PAX itself, a bit of cosplay too. Please excuse the audio itself because PAX is LOUD and near impossible to record interviews at.
Review product was provided by the Manufacturer
