The HyperX Cloud -
The Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Gaming Headset is designed with a retro feel to it, but you can see the modern touches in it. You get solid-aluminum construction combined with leather pads and real stitching. When you first pull them from their protective cocoon you will feel the difference in design. I was surprised at how light they are even though they look very solid.

The Cloud headset is an over-the-ear design which means that Kingston had to make sure the ear pieces gave enough room to cover most ears comfortably. As we mentioned before you get two ear pads when you get the Cloud. One is leather wrapped around memory foam and the other is well, let’s say plush cloth. At the center of these ear pieces Kingston has dropped in a 53mm closed driver. This is roughly 13mm larger than the standard (40mm). The use of a closed driver should make for an interesting sound. Although the argument for open (ported) vs. closed is still in debate, in most cases by enclosing the driver you can get tighter audio reproduction. This is important when you only have one speaker trying to reproduce all of the different frequencies thrown at it. You want the driver to quickly respond to changes in volume or audio input. If the HyperX team also dropped in a decent filler they can significantly increase the effective volume of the audio you are listening to (up to around 40%). It is an impressive move on the part of the HyperX team and one that you do not normally see for PC audio. As an additional bonus the close driver setup also helps to reduce outside noise and enhances the sound that you hear.

If you are a specs junkie then the 15 Hz to 25 KHz frequency response coupled with an SPL of 98dB and a T.H.D of less than 2% should get your attention. This is one of the better ranges on the market right now and with the design of the driver is sure to give you some solid sound reproduction.

Connecting the ear piece to the cross bar is a solid piece of aluminum. This gives it a cool look and also should help extend the life of the Cloud headset. Sadly we find something that I take issue with. Kingston decided to continue the retro feel by running the speaker wires externally from the cross bar to the ear piece. Although this is a very nice look, it also raises the chance of damage to the cable by simply getting it caught on something. With the right amount of force, even the braided cable will not hold up.

Moving up from the ear pieces to the crossbar we see that the HyperX team did a good job of setting up the adjustable rails. With headphones you seem to either get them too stiff or too loose, that is not the case with the Cloud. For the padding along the crossbar the Cloud has a combination of leather and memory foam. The leather has red stitching to enhance the appearance and the added touch of having the HyperX logo embroidered into it. The overall weight of 350g (.77 pounds) makes for a comfortable fit on the top of your head.

As the Cloud is a gamer’s headset (Pro Gamer) they have also included the option for a removable microphone. The port for this is on the left hand ear piece and protected by a cover. This is a nice touch as it not only maintains the look of the Cloud, but makes sure that the port stays nice and clean.

The mic plugs in very securely and looks like a solid piece once attached. The boom is flexible so you can adjust it to suit your needs. The business end of the mic is covered in foam to help reduce noise from air moving around it and also your breath.  

Again for the specs guys we have the following for the microphone. Max SPL 105dB, THD of less than or equal to 1% an output of -39dB (plus or minus 3) and a frequency response of 100Hz to 12 KHz. It is a solid choice of microphone.

In all the HyperX Cloud is a very well thought out and built product. So let’s move on to see how well it performs.