HyperX Cloud Alpha S Review - Gaming Headphones (2020)

Today we will HyperX Cloud Alpha S review ($ 135) - These are wired full-size gaming headphones with great 7.1 sound. They also got a detachable cable and mixer with high quality surround sound. HyperX Cloud Alpha S is a rather curious model of the entire Cloud line. HyperX, unlike previous models, received a blue color and a direct bass control function.

During the review, HyperX Cloud Alpha S showed high sound quality, which is why it is so popular with gamers and esports athletes.

Equipment and characteristics

The kit consists of:

1. HyperX Cloud Alpha headset
2. Detachable microphone
3. Detachable headset cable
4. PC extension cable
5. Transport bag

Video review

Design and construction

HyperX Cloud Alpha S headphones come in a cool box and a great bundle.

A big plus for the manufacturer for such a package. You don't need to buy anything!

Designed in the best traditional Cloud style. There are no backlights and all sorts of catchy elements, only a couple of details stand out against the background of the classic black color. However, the headphones are not boring! They look very stylish, in contrast to their “gouge out” analogues. Everything is very strict, but the eye is pleasant and there is something to catch hold of.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S headband is made of metal. The details that connect the bowls are matte blue, and the upper is wrapped in a soft leather substitute overlay. By itself, the design is very beautiful and does not cause negative feelings.

The only downside is that the headphones are not foldable. Such an addition would definitely set the HyperX Cloud Alpha S apart from the competition.

The ear cups are made of durable matte plastic. The design is reliable, nothing will hold together, no backlash.And the logo looks elegant on the front side. As for the ear pads, they are quite soft and with a "memory". A pair of leatherette is 100% dustproof. They are easy to take off and put on, so there will be no problems with replacement.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S has a dedicated bass control panel on the back of the bowl. By and large, these are phase inverters. The bowl is two-chambered and has several options as planned by the designers:

• Open. More emphasis on bass;
• Not fully open. The sound is clearly delineated, and the balance is not disturbed;
• Closed. The bass is almost not felt, the sound is rather passive and boring.

At the bottom of both bowls of HyperX Cloud Alpha S there are 2 mini-jack 3.5 mm connectors. The first is for the microphone, and the second for the wire. They have different shapes, so it's hard to get confused. There can be no problems!

During the review of the HyperX Cloud Alpha S, we noted that the mixer is small in size and has a couple of multifunction buttons. And of course, the backlight that lights up when any mode is activated. The wire is quite strong and solid - not to break.

The quality of the construction deserves special attention. The assembly and materials are of a high standard. As an advantage, there is not as much plastic in the headphones as in other models. There are metal parts, made of leatherette. Even nothing to complain about!

How to set up HyperX Cloud Alpha S drivers

The sound volume emulation works just fine. When activated, the sound becomes more detailed and more positioned. There are two ways to stream 7.1 audio, but you need to install special drivers to switch between them. I note that at first, when reviewing, the 7.1 sound on the HyperX Cloud Alpha S did not work. And yet nowhere is it said that you need to install drivers.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S drivers on Kingston's website are not easy to download.

HyperX Cloud Alpha S Overview

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is a comfortable gaming headphone. They do not press, they sit comfortably on the ears, the ear pads are large and will be good for all ears. The inside of the bowl is soft and has a memory effect.

Note that the fabric ear cushions are more comfortable, they do not press and you can stay in them even for days. But, their noise isolation is not as good as leatherette ear cushions. Although in leather, you can safely play 5-6 hours.

It is worth mentioning about the headband. It is elastic and very high quality, and the pleasant lining on the top only adds comfort. The weight of the HyperX Cloud Alpha S is average, they sit securely, and it is not so easy to lose.

But we also note the lack of comfort in the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. Not only is the cable very solid, and the mixer is located 1 meter from the earcup. Yes, there is a special clip, but how can you attach such a long cable to your clothes? An obvious oversight of the developers.

And this is a real problem. Leaving the cable on the table will not work - it will fall. And if you do not hook it at all, then you will not be able to control the volume, since the mixer will be far away.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S mixer has the following features:

• volume control;
• setting the chat sound in the game and the game itself independently of each other;
• emulation of surround sound 7.1. There is also a microphone mute button on the side.

You can also connect via an audio cable without a mixer. Thus, you can both play and just go out into the city. However, the disadvantage is that even with leatherette ear cushions, noise isolation will be insufficient.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S microphone is quite good. It is easy to adjust it conveniently, the voice is easily perceived and you can speak as usual without increasing the speech volume.

HyperX Cloud Alpha S Sound Review

HyperX Cloud Alpha S has received quality sound that will be ideal for gamers and music lovers alike - not often found in gaming headphones. Sound detailing in games is excellent, sound localization is quite accurate. Quiet and loud sounds are equally well heard.

The ear cushions allow you to seriously adjust the sound and bass. If you want more powerful bass, just open the controls and put on the leather ear pads. A balanced sound is obtained at medium closure - for me, this is an ideal balanced version, which can be called multitasking.

When reviewing the HyperX Cloud Alpha S, the best sound was with the leather ear pads and with the knob in the middle.

• Low frequencies are slightly accented. They buzz from time to time when listening to driving and fast music, but in fact you pay little attention to it. As the bass increases, the accent becomes more apparent. This is ideal for movies and games where dynamism is important.
• The mids are quite smooth and balanced. HyperX Cloud Alpha S has good detail and voices sound very natural. During destruction and loud sounds in the game, mid frequencies are not lost.
• High frequencies. There are already a couple of nuances here. In the matter of music, individual HF instruments are given synthetics. You can't say that about games, the sound is super!
• Position and scene. In the game, you can easily determine where shots or enemy steps are coming from. You feel the space broadly, there are no changes in moderation, and without any distortions. When listening to music, the scene is not very wide, but is much more detailed than other gaming headphones.
• Naturalness. When reviewing the HyperX Cloud Alpha S, the headphones are clearly focused on bass, which makes the gaming dynamics extremely natural. Loud and harsh sounds have rough bass and harsh high frequencies. However, all the same, when you listen to music, you can hear excess synthetics. Simply put, these are far from headphones for music, but if you do not get into nagging, then listening to HyperX Cloud Alpha S music will be very pleasant.

HyperX Cloud Alpha S gaming machines are ideal for esports. Excellent rendering and detailing, balance allows you to better feel the playing space and improve orientation in it.
It is possible to listen to music in HyperX Cloud Alpha S headphones, but jambs are still audible. And at the same time, any genre in them will sound “normal”. Perhaps the headphones are worse than headphones for music, but you can adjust the bass and the overall sound. In this case, the music becomes much more colorful!

Outcome

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S headphones are a great gaming accessory with high quality sound. They will be liked both when listening to music, and for games, and even more so for films. And professional assembly, quality materials and a complete set are a great advantage and addition to the headphones.

HyperX Cloud Alpha S advantages and disadvantages

In conclusion, I will say that the model is really worthwhile for gaming headphones. The fact that the Kingston Cloud line has so many fans and customers cannot be ignored. Is the cost of $ 135 justified? Definitely yes! For this money, you will become the owner of high quality gaming headphones that are already quite versatile.