HyperX Cloud 2 Gaming Headset Review

[section_title title=”Conclusion”]

So, do the Cloud 2s live up to the promise of providing the great sound of the Cloud 1s to those who might not have the best audio source available to them whilst also providing 7.1 virtual surround sound?

You bet they do, the USB sound processor Kingston have developed here is a great bit of kit and feels worth every penny when it comes to giving these headphones the source they deserve. What’s more is that the 7.1 functionality is half decent, I’m usually not a fan at all of virtual surround but in a couple of single player games I actually quite enjoyed the effect so as far as virtual surround goes it gets the thumbs up from me there.

Aside from the addition of the USB sound processor we are left with the same headset we saw last year; which is not exactly a shame as it still looks the part (even more so with the new colour schemes) and still sounds great too. This is definitely one of the best looking gaming headsets you can buy in terms of elegance which is definitely an achievement considering the still (for what you are getting) low asking price.

My testing unveiled only two real problems with the headset, the first and most notable is one that it has inherited from the Cloud 1 and that is the economically padded headband which after a few hours can become a tad uncomfortable and the second is more minor but still worth mentioning and that is that the volume buttons on the in-line remote are really naff; you can barely tell whether you have pressed them or not. Really though those two don’t detract too much from the great package on offer here.

In terms of competition, the main peer I see for the Cloud 2s is the Corsair Gaming H1500, and that really is simply a parity born of price as in every other regard the Cloud 2s demolish the H1500s; they look better, they sound better and they feel noticeably better in hand thanks to the gorgeous aluminium touches.

In the same way that the Cloud 1s are nigh unbeatable at their price point for an analogue headset the Cloud 2s are really in a league of their own for a sub £80 wired USB headset. If you want a superb headset at a reasonable price but don’t have the audio hardware to do an analogue headset justice just do yourself a favour and buy a set of these.

I’d like to say a big thank you to Kingston for today’s sample, I hope to see more from them in the future.