HyperX Cloud Alpha S Blackout review: New features push this gaming headset to the max

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Fundamental

When information technology comes to gaming headphones, few companies command equally much attention every bit HyperX. The company is consistently 1 of the tiptop movers of all gaming headsets, and it's with good reason. Delivering exceptional audio, quality materials, and a comfortable pattern, HyperX headphones are often considered the best.

Indeed, final Nov we reviewed the $100 HyperX Cloud Blastoff headphones and gave it a 4 ½ stars out of 5, citing stunning sound reproduction "signature HyperX comfort." And so, take that same headset but add a mixer remote that delivers 7.1 surround sound and a new "Blackout" color scheme, and you get the $130 HyperX Cloud Alpha Due south.

Here's what you need to know well-nigh information technology and whether the HyperX Deject Blastoff S is worth the cash.

All that and more

HyperX Cloud Alpha S Blackout headset

$130

Lesser line: The Cloud Alpha S builds off the original Cloud Alpha by calculation 7.ane surroundings sound and a great remote, and it mostly makes it worth the extra $thirty.

Pros:

• 7.ane virtual surround, remote/mixer
• Stunning audio reproduction
• Great microphone
• Signature HyperX condolement
• High-quality construction, new black color

Cons:

• The cord is too long for the remote
• Some optional customization software would be dainty

What you'll love about the HyperX Cloud Blastoff S headset

Source: Windows Central

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S was released early this year, merely HyperX now has made some small adjustments to the original release. Hither's what'south different:

• New Blackout color scheme (vs. metallic blue)
• Seven motorcar-optimized sound profiles for popular games, including Apex Legends, Fortnite, PUBG, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, CS:Get, Overwatch and Rainbow Six Siege

Otherwise, these are the same as the other Cloud Alpha S headphones, which are, in plow, riffs of the original Deject Alpha.

Delivering a sturdy aluminum frame, these over-the-ear headphones deliver punchy audio with well-separated highs and mids. The ear cups are replaceable, and you take a choice of leatherette or foam. Both accept plush retentivity foam for comfort.

Category	Spec
Speakers	50mm neodymium
Frequency response	13Hz – 27,000Hz
Compatibility	3.5mm or USB
Impedance	65 ohms
Weight	310g/321g with mic
Features	Detachable mic, braided cable with in-line remote, dual-chamber audio gear up
Cost	$130

To control the bass, the Deject Alpha S has physical switches on each earcup that controls how much room the driver has to deliver. They work well enough, although the alter is not massive when switching.

The elevation headband is fabricated from imitation leather covering and uses fancy stitching along the sides

Sound is powered by dual 50mm drivers and HyperX's "dual chamber" blueprint, which keeps the bass from mudding the highs and lows. It works well enough, too, as this was never an result during my testing.

The large divergence between the $130 Cloud Blastoff S and the $100 Cloud Alpha comes downward to a simple mixer remote. It's an optional iii.5mm-to-USB adapter, which means without it, y'all can use these equally regular headphones for other devices with a USB port such every bit a gaming console. That remote has a clip for your shirt, a seven.one sound toggle, mute mic push button, and two buttons to either remainder the mix between game conversation and game sound.

That 7.1 audio feature works quite well, immersing you in a more than satisfying soundscape. Since at that place is no software, however, you cannot suit the EQ for games. But, with this new release, HyperX has added seven sound profiles for popular start-person shooters like Overwatch, Rainbow Half dozen Siege, Fortnite, and PUBG. That's great because the vii.ane is virtualized here and is merely decent. But with those added profiles, it makes pinpointing footsteps, or a sniper bullet a bit more accurate.

Source: HyperX

The audio was never distorted even at louder volumes. The sound was well textured and balanced across highs and mids, making this especially suitable for more passive games where the audio is more most ambiance.

The Cloud Blastoff Due south is very comfortable to wear for extended durations. It never felt similar a clamp on my head, nor did I have to adjust it. These headphones are smidge lighter than the regular Deject Alphas (331g) coming in at just 310 grams for the headset and a full of 321 grams if yous add the microphone.

That microphone bends quite well and sounds above average, likely due to the racket-canceling feature.

What yous'll dislike about the HyperX Cloud Blastoff S headset

Source: Windows Key

True sound aficionados likely won't be blown away by the faux 7.i, but information technology's expert enough for the average gamer. It still pales when compared to the over-the-top (but amazingly awesome) Cloud Orbit South headphones, but that's expected. And the added audio profiles help ameliorate complaints nearly lack of positional vigil in certain titles.

Although I didn't become excessive heat from wearing these headphones, they besides didn't magically solve the "hot head" effect either. If that's your jam, you should become HP's fantastic Mindframe headphones, which actively cool your ears.

The ear cups do come off, letting yous swap out for a different style, but it'south rather laborious and not recommended as a frequent activity.

While the bass is never overwhelming, it'due south not the contrary either. For those who prefer a punchier, deeper bass, you may be disappointed with the Cloud Alpha S. Information technology's far from bad. Indeed the overall sound profile is first-class, but it's also not the richest I take heard either. That means for music, the Cloud Alphas Due south is merely OK, making this amend suited for games or movies.

While I very much appreciate not having mandatory software to install, I don't think it'd be bad either for HyperX to offering a free app to change settings or tune the audio.

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

Finally, the cord for the new 7.i mixer remote is style too long. The remote ends up hanging by your legs, falling off your gaming chair, making it rather unwieldy. There is a clip, just that doesn't make it necessarily easier to attach to your shirt.

Should you lot purchase the HyperX Cloud Alpha S headset?

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

The Cloud Alpha S is undoubtedly ane of the about comfortable headphones I have used, and quality that HyperX delivers is, as usual, very expert.

There is some questionable value about paying an extra $xxx for virtual 7.ane surround-audio and a remote/mixer unit of measurement that optionally attaches. While it's not the all-time 7.1 representation, information technology definitely sounds better – particularly for movies – than without information technology enabled.

Of course, the beauty hither is if you don't think it's worth it, HyperX has the regular $100 Cloud Alphas ready for you, and we still highly recommend those anyway.

My only major gripe is the length of the cord and the placement of the remote, which is non very practical in use. Information technology's not a dealbreaker, simply something that should have been caught during testing. HyperX could also stand up to turn upwards the bass just slightly, or maybe fifty-fifty offer some optional software for customization.

Overall, betwixt the solid build and sound quality, the Hyper Deject Alpha Due south Blackouts are easy to recommend. Even so, it would have been dainty to see just a little extra for this release to be excited about.

Alpha + vii.ane

HyperX Deject Alpha S Blackout

Immense audio

HyperX added some of the bells and whistles to this revamped Cloud Alpha headset. The 7.one improves gameplay and motion-picture show audio, but the bass underwhelms, and the remote's cord is only a tad too long.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/hyperx-cloud-alpha-s-blackout-review

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