HyperX Cloud Mix Headset Review

While HyperX had previously released a wireless headset not too long ago, the company is back and this time with a hybrid gaming headset. The HyperX Cloud MIX, their first foray into the world of Bluetooth headsets. However, unlike other wireless gaming headsets, the Cloud MIX is a two in one product: a functional, yet versatile Bluetooth headset and a traditional gaming headset once you wire it up.

So this is HyperX’s attempt to mix up the game (pun intended).

Name: Cloud MIX Bluetooth Headset
Manufacturer: HyperX
Price: $199.99
Availability: Now at Bestbuy

This headset is “no-frills.” When I say that, I mean that this headset is as simple as simple can be, looks-wise. There’s no RGB lighting to be found, logo or otherwise. The only light to be found on the unit is the power indicator and you’d be hard-pressed to even find that. The entirety of the headset is decked out in matte black with the HyperX logo in gray and nothing else.  Short of a few changes, the headset design is similar to previous HyperX Cloud headsets.

On the right cup, you’ll find the controls of the headset. A volume switch, as well as the power button that doubles as the sync button. There’s also a micro-USB port at the button of the port, which is a bit disappointing. We’re in 2018 and the industry has been trying to push USB-C as the standard. You’d think a new piece of electronics would also push this initiative. But that’s just me, moving on. On the left cup are the mute button, detachable microphone port, and 3.5mm headphone jack.  On the right is a multi-purpose button that only works in Bluetooth mode. This can be used to answer phone calls, play music or skip to the next track.

Included is both a detachable boom microphone and a built-in microphone. Both work as intended and during my testing, my voice was heard clearly throughout. There are some misses with the microphone system though. The built-in microphone tends to pick up more background noise than the detachable mic, due to its omnidirectional polar pickup pattern. The headset also lacks separate microphone volume controls, leaving the microphone controls in Windows or the PlayStation 4/Xbox One as your sole source of volume adjustment. Not being able to make on-the-fly adjustments to the microphones that come bundled with the headset is a pain. This is supposed to be marketed to gamers, and that is a standard feature on the majority of gaming spec headsets. Performance Designed Products and Razer have done it, I do not understand why HyperX hasn’t seemed to catch up with the trend, especially at this price point.

The headset is also quite comfortable, thanks to the soft memory foam cups. I’ve worn these for around 8 to 9 hours, for several days. The majority of the time was gaming, while the rest was when I used them for jamming some tunes while I working. I even forgot they were on my head at times. They’re not too tight and the cuffs are soft and gentle on my ears. That said, those with larger ears may have a hard time as the cups are a bit on the small side.

Soundwise, they’re exceptional, thanks to HyperX’s 40mm Dual Chamber Drivers. When wired, you get the full effect of the DCDs with high fidelity sound and amazing lows – something you don’t get while solely using Bluetooth.  At first, I was a tad frustrated. While using the headset via Bluetooth, it seemed to lack the punch the I’ve experienced in similarly priced headsets. Connecting them up corrects that issue, but does pose a quagmire – do you use the wire for better sound or Bluetooth for ease and accessibility? If you’re using the MIX for gaming, the fact that sounds are so much better it becomes a no-brainer. Using the cord also disables the volume control on the headset and you’ll have to resort to using the in-line volume controls. There aren’t any presets for the headset either. You’re stuck with a preset quality, no matter if you’re playing a first-person shooter, a racing game, a sports title, whatever.

HyperX claims that the Cloud MIX will provide around 20 hours of battery life and so far those claims are solid. I’m hovering at 10% with 20 hours in, so that’s impressive. It’s not as long as the Cloud Flight which gives you 30 hours, but this is still decent. It’s also worth mentioning that every time you power on the headset, it will tell you just how much battery life you have left, in 10% increments. That’s a feature I wish every wireless headset provided you and out of the box. So kudos for adding that. The downside to the headset is that you aren’t able to use them while they’re charging. Thankfully, connecting the 3.5mm cable allows the headphones to be used in passive mode.

While the Cloud MIX is a worthwhile headset, HyperX’s decision to price it at $200 places it right smack in the middle of some fierce competition. At the under $200 range, you have HyperX’s own Cloud Flight, as well as Logitech’s and Corsair’s offerings.  All of which are amazing wireless headsets that provide gaming functionality.

Then you have the wired headsets, something that many gamers still refuse to part with. Yes, the Cloud MIX can double up as a wired and wireless headset, but I feel that many will refuse to use it as both. They’ll choose to settle on one function or the other, which may end up being seen as a disadvantage. What’s worse? There are wireless gaming headsets that do what the HyperX Cloud MIX does, for nearly – if not more than – half the price. In this regard, the Cloud MIX is a disappointment.

Still a solid effort on HyperX’s part. I’d like to see how the Cloud MIX 2.0 fares when it’s eventually released.