Introduction
The HyperX Cloud is one of the most noteworthy success stories in the PC scene from the last decade. In 2014, Kingston launched the HyperX Cloud: their first gaming peripheral product under their then gaming line, HyperX. The HyperX brand consisted of Kingston’s highest end performance products which include top-end SSDs, flash drives and of course, RAM. In 2021, Kingston sold the HyperX brand to HP for a significant amount where HP would acquire the rights for the HyperX gaming peripheral products. Kingston would retain its core products of RAM, SSDs and flash storage under its soon-to be announced brand which would replace HyperX.
Today in th HP era, HyperX’s first major release is the HyperX Cloud III. Announced during COMPUTEX 2023, the HyperX Cloud III celebrates the history of the Cloud line-up and the new model is touted as an evolution the Cloud II headset. Featuring modern features like improved memory foam, a better microphone and a tougher material, the Cloud III is again positioned to keep HyperX as the mainstream go-to headset for gamers whether it be PC, consoles or mobile.
Find out more about the HyperX Cloud III gaming headset in this review. Read on!
Features & Specification
Features
- Comfort is King: Comfort’s in the Cloud III’s DNA. Built for gamers who can’t have an uncomfortable headset ruin the flow of their full-combo, disrupt their speedrun, or knocking them out of the zone.
- Audio Tuned for Your Entertainment: Angled 53mm drivers have been tuned by HyperX audio engineers to provide the optimal listening experience that accents the dynamic sounds of gaming.
- Upgraded Microphone for Clarity and Accuracy: Captures high-quality audio for clear voice chat and calls. The mic is noise-cancelling and features a built-in mesh filter to omit disruptive sounds and LED mic mute indicator lets you know when you’re muted.
- Durability, for the Toughest of Battles: The headset is flexible and features an aluminum frame so it’s resilient against travel, accidents, mishaps, and your ‘level-headed’ reactions to losses and defeat screens.
- DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio: A lifetime activation of DTS Spatial Audio will help amp up your audio advantage and immersion with its precise sound localization and virtual 3D sound stage.
Closer Look – HyperX Cloud III
The HyperX Cloud family has had numerous design changes in its packaging with the cleaner red and white packaging becoming their most used design in the last half-decade or so hailing back from their days with Kingston. HP-HyperX will be the main brand to use this design albeit Kingston retains the same design language with their FURY line just with a touch more black.
Back to the HyperX Cloud III’s packaging, it features a hero shot of the product in the front which I need to emphasize looks exactly like every Cloud model available right now so please check the model name printed in the front as the Cloud II and other Cloud variant that are still selling today may feature a similar box. The box features molded plastic inserts which holds the headset in place.
Underneath the Cloud III headset is a box insert which contains some manuals and documentation, a USB dongle, the microphone and of course, the HyperX Cloud III headset itself.
HyperX has moved the mic port from the bottom center to a bit to the front. This means we have a shorter mic boom on the HyperX Cloud III. During our visit at their pop-up display at COMPUTEX 2023, our rep stated that the microphone has been redesigned for a crisper and cleaner audio recording. The boom also has a LED display when used in USB mode where the mic will have a small red LED light to show that its muted. No light means the mic is active.
Just like the model before it, the Cloud III features a USB dongle. This can be used on all current platforms supporting USB connections which means all current-generation consoles while the 3.5mm jack can plug directly on your PC, Playstation controller or Switch. The cable features a red and black braided design but I’m unsure if the all black version of the HyperX Cloud III will have a pure black braided cable (or least a black and grey one). The cable features a Type-C main head but HyperX includes a short USB-C to USB-A converter plug out of the box.
Looking closely at the HyperX Cloud III, it is immediate that it looks very much like the Cloud II and Cloud Alpha before it, both versions somewhat substantially different designs but bore striking resemblance from their predescessor. Kingston has moved away from the QPAD QH90 design to which some of you in-the-know will be aware is the reference model of the original HyperX Cloud. The HyperX Cloud III is an original design product and while it bears the same look, HyperX states that they have worked on keeping changes subtle.
The change starts with the materials as the new memory foam is softer yet thicker than the Cloud II and Alpha. The overall plastic and aluminum build features a much stronger frame allowing the Cloud III to be a bit more flexible than before while still being light. Again, all of this is kept subtle and without much fanfare from HyperX.
The HyperX Cloud III is a fixed-cable headset just like its predescessors with the main cable being a 3.5mm audio jack which is compatible with any audio ports for output. Unlike the Cloud II, the HyperX Cloud III doesn’t have a Y-splitter to break-out the audio signal so its best to use the headset with the dongle if you don’t have a audio combo port. The cable is connected to the left earcup and oriented abit to the back. Just above the cable is the mic-mute button.
HyperX uses memory foam on the Cloud III. All my Cloud headsets’ leatherette have since’s cracked and peeled now and I’m hoping the premium leatherette on the HyperX Cloud III lasts a long time.
The main metal parts on the HyperX Cloud III are the ear cup holder which also serves as the extension bands for the headset. The bands have 9-clicks of extension which allows the headset to support head sizes which are from 6″ or less to around 10″ in diameter ear-to-ear. Our retail sample is the Black and Red version of the HyperX Cloud III which has red highlights on the metal parts and the logo while the black version has the entire headset in black with the same prints still done in black.
HyperX has moved the audio control directly on the headset with a volume wheel located on the right earcup for easier, no-fumble access.
HyperX NGENUITY Software
HyperX has updated their NGENUITY software to support the Cloud III after COMPUTEX 2023. The software can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store and as of this writing allows the HyperX Cloud III to have digital surround via DTSX support. The software also has volume and mic control as well as an equalizer interface for tweaking the audio.
Upon installation, HyperX NGENUITY will ask for a restart and once done, it will allow access to the rest of the controls like Spatial Surround. Once activated, you need to select the surround option from your Windows audio device as shown in the image above.
Microphone Test
Here is a test recording of the HyperX Cloud III’s audio output. I do feel the mic sounds a bit better on the older Cloud II as the recording here really sounds compressed so if you do feel the need to record some professional audio, the Cloud III doesn’t have the best audio around. It does a great job in removing background noise and and its pick-up is quite decent even with someone speaking in the back although they will be audible, you will be able to talk over them thru the mic unlesss they’re screaming directly in your face.
User Experience & Conclusion
The unit in this review is a retail model purchased from Lazada Philippines and provided brand new on loan from my friend, Warleeeeeeeto!
All main HyperX Cloud models have been priced at $99 and the HyperX Cloud III maintains that pricing. Just like the HyperX Cloud II, it features a USB dongle but it does lose out on the packaging with no pouch included anymore. A minor nitpick I wanted to get out of the way before we dive deeper into the Cloud III.
The HyperX Cloud III is the first true redesign we’ve had in a numbered Cloud if we don’t count the Cloud Alpha. The Cloud Alpha was a pivot for HyperX in terms of usability and they tried to tweak a few things but ultimately, th eorignal formula worked hence the HyperX Cloud III that we have today.
It is loyal to the original and maintains a lot of that in this new body, even the shape and overall sillhouette is kept as close as possible to keep it on-brand. All of this culminates in a product that aims to be an evolution of its predescessor but still remain in the confines of what makes the original such a a successful product.
With that said, a word on audio quality and performance and again a reminder that audio quality commentaries are ultimately subjective to the reviewer. If this is your first purchase, I highly suggest visiting a store where they have multiple headphones and headsets on display to try to give you an idea on the audio. Back to the Cloud III, the sound characteristic of the Cloud III isn’t too remotely different to the Cloud II and Alpha.
I gave my old headsets a listen but these pairs have been in service for so long, I’m not comfortable comparing a new pair over worn ones but ultimaltely, I am confident in saying that the HyperX Cloud III retains what we can say as the house sound of HyperX for their Cloud line-up.
HyperX tunes the Cloud III quite well and the cans hold up well even with the gain dialed to max. Bass is clean and present although I wouldn’t really exaggerate the feeling. Its satisfying but nothing earth-shattering. And that’s ultimately the point with the HyperX Cloud III: its a safe update but not really an upgrade if you have a cloud already.
Many of what props up the Cloud III is its comfort and seal which is really oustanding, beating out its direct competition for their choices in earcups. The HyperX Cloud III is not something you’d line-up to get on day 1 but if you’re due for a replacement on your aging Cloud headset, then its definitely the best option right now in its price range.
I asked HyperX’s reps if there was any technology from HP infused with the development of the HyperX Cloud III to which they were not able to comment. It has been nearly a decade and the HyperX Cloud line has been the go-to for many gamers which is why it is the brand that it is today. But it has played it very safely and has been very shy in taking more stabs in changing.
HyperX has the likes of the Stinger and its earbuds but the Cloud in itself, has been predominantly the same headset for the longest time and aside from surround sound, HyperX needs to really create something more definitive to really set the bar higher for the Cloud III.
For now, it rests comfortably as it maintains a safe position as “ol’ reliable” at the $100 mark of gaming headsets. For the rest of world price will vary with us here in the Philippines seeing the MSRP of the HyperX Cloud III set at PHP5,990. Its primary competitors in Amazon is the Cloud Alpha S, the Cloud II, the Razer Barracuda V2, a cheaper SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3, and a few others while on the Philippine market, JBL takes over Razer’s spot and the list is also joined by ASUS’ TUF H3 headset.
There is no easy way to recommend which one sounds the best but if we are to judge based on endurance, there owners of the original HyperX Cloud who are still using them to this day and swear by the endurance of the product. With that said, if we’re to distill this review to a recommendation based on which would last the longest, I would be confident in HyperX based on their track record, something the HyperX Cloud III has yet to prove but purely from what’s tangible, its an easy recommendation versus the rest.
The HyperX Cloud III gaming headset is backed by a 2-year warranty. I give it my B2G Recommended seal.