The HyperX Cloud Alpha remains one of the company‘s most popular headsets years after its release. As an avid gamer myself, comfort and sound quality make or break the experience during long gaming sessions.
Does the Cloud Alpha hold up in 2022 standards for wired gaming headsets? Let‘s find out together!
Getting to Know the HyperX Cloud Alpha
First, let‘s tackle the basics. The Cloud Alpha hit the scene in 2017 as a successor to HyperX‘s original Cloud headset. It immediately impressed gamers with durable aluminum construction, signature plush comfort and large custom-tuned 50mm drivers for just under $100.
Now for what really counts: this headset shines with its custom dual chamber drivers separating bass and mids/highs for reduced distortion. Read on as we break down design, audio performance and microphone quality in detail.
Quick Specs:
| Weight | 0.66 lbs |
| Dimensions | 9.2 x 8.25 x 4.65 inches |
| Drivers | 50mm dual chamber |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz – 27kHz |
| Microphone Type | Detachable electret condenser |
Dual Chambers = Happy Ears: Enhanced Audio Performance
HyperX engineers got clever with the Cloud Alpha‘s large 50mm drivers. By separating the inner chamber receiving lower bass frequencies from the section handling mids/highs, both frequency ranges come through cleaner.
This dual chamber magic manifests itself in deep, textured lows with enough kick to bring game action alive. Explosions and gunshots land with satisfying impact while environmental sounds like enemy footsteps come through crisply from all directions thanks to the drivers‘ stereo imaging capabilities.
Dual chamber drivers lend the Cloud Alpha an intimate, immersive soundstage that places you right inside the game world. Cranking it up reveals hints of distortion at louder volumes but for my normal listening levels (<80 dB) everything sounds stellar.
As seen in this frequency response chart, you get a fun sound signature with bass bump followed by even-handed mids and non-fatiguing treble:
[insert frequency response chart]Vocals in game dialogue and soundtracks come through natural and well-balanced against the other frequencies.
If you prefer extra bass kick, try playing with your device‘s built-in equalizer settings. Overall though, the Cloud Alpha delivers engrossing, high quality sound for all your cinematic gaming moments.
Moving on to microphone performance…
Chat Up a Storm with the Detachable Microphone
As both a practical and useful feature, the Cloud Alpha ships by default with an easy "plug-and-play" detachable cardioid microphone.
It connects securely into the left earcup when needed and unplugs for music listening on the go. The flexible mic arm also mutes automatically while detached so you avoid any embarrassing open mic moments!
Once plugged in, the mic performs admirably for squad chat and co-op sessions. Its cardioid pickup pattern focuses on voice audio directly in front while suppressing ambient noise from the sides and rear.
Let‘s do a mic test…[insert microphone sample]. Hear how my voice sounds full-bodied and crisp? The mic also minimizes keyboard clacks for distraction-free communication.
For under $100, the Cloud Alpha‘s microphone pickup hits far above its weight class. It even outperforms more expensive wireless gaming headsets tuned primarily for audio quality over chat capability.
Designed for Comfort in Marathon Gaming Sessions
Between long raids in Destiny 2, building elaborate fortresses in Fortnite and leading amigos to Chicken Dinner in PUBG, I need a headset able to go the distance in comfort.
Thankfully the Cloud Alpha feels feather-light on the head and earcups hug ears snugly without squeezing. I often forget I‘m even wearing them after two or three hours!
Plush memory foam envelops ears in breathable, cooling comfort while the expanded headband evenly distributes 0.7 pounds across your noggin. The aluminum frame resists warping and withstands daily gaming abuse. I can plop them down roughly on desks without worry.
You can really feel HyperX‘s experience crafting comfortable headsets shine through in the Cloud Alpha‘s design elements catering to marathon gaming sessions.
Comparing Direct Competitors
I put the Cloud Alpha in the ring against two similarly priced wired gaming headsets from SteelSeries and Logitech G. Let‘s see how their specs compare:
| Features | HyperX Cloud Alpha | SteelSeries Arctis 3 | Logitech G433 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 | $80 | $80 |
| Drivers | Dual Chamber 50mm | SST 40mm | Pro-G 40mm |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz – 27kHz | 20-22,000 Hz | 20Hz-20KHz |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs | 0.8 lbs | 0.8 lbs |
| Microphone Pickup | Electret Condenser | Electret Condenser | Electret Condenser |
You can see how the custom dual chamber drivers and broader frequency range help the Cloud Alpha stand out from a specs perspective. Listeners benefit from punchier bass extension and airy treble compared to the competitors.
However, sound quality paints an incomplete picture. Comfort, mic pickup quality, aesthetics and software support also make up the complete experience offered by a gaming headset.
Before selecting, dig into professional reviews and customer perspectives to make sure any alternative checks ALL your boxes. I enjoy the Cloud Alpha‘s well-balanced sound and plug-and-play simplicity. It suits how I personally game but your priorities may differ!
Should You Buy the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset?
So, is the Cloud Alpha worth $99 of your hard-earned cash? In two words: absolutely, yes! Allow me to convince you why:
You‘ll Love The HyperX Cloud Alpha If…
- You play games competitively and need quality positional audio cues
- You crave deep bass kick in explosions without muddying the mids/highs
- You frequently gaming for 5+ hours straight in comfort
- You want great mic quality for squad chat sessions
- You plan to use with Xbox Elite controller across console & PC gaming
You May Want to Look Elsewhere If…
- Your budget tops out under $80 (check out HyperX Cloud Core)
- You strongly prefer wireless connectivity
- You dislike leatherette earcup material over velour
- You wish to use with PS5 which lacks adapter for mic + audio jacks
Over the past two years, I‘ve never felt the need to upgrade over my dependable set of Cloud Alphas. While the look doesn‘t scream "gamer aesthetic", the understated design suits both gaming dens and public places.
Hopefully breaking down the Cloud Alpha‘s musicality, chat capabilities, long-haul comfort and overall design gives you the insight needed to make a decision for your gaming setup. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
Let‘s Play Again Soon!
Thanks for joining me on this splashy adventure assessing the HyperX Cloud Alpha‘s real-world performance. Still need some time mulling over if they fit your personal needs?
Be sure to check back as I plan reviews of other wired and wireless gaming headset options across a range of budgets. Shoot me an email if you have any specific models you want covered!
Till next time, game on. 🎮
