The gaming headset market brims with flashy, futuristic-styled offerings covered in RGB lighting with sky-high price tags. Yet one budget-friendly veteran receives consistent praise year after year: the HyperX Cloud II.
Initially released in February 2015, this wired over-ear headset combines solid construction, rich audio and multiplatform compatibility at just $70-80. How has it retained such popularity versus rivals twice the cost eight years later? Let‘s analyze what still makes the Cloud II a recommended buy in 2023.
Overview of the Cloud II Headset
Before evaluating audio components and build construction, let‘s recap key Cloud II features and specifications:
General
- Release Date: February 10, 2015
- Price: MSRP $99.99 (now ~$70)
- Colors: Black, Red, Blue, Pink
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
- Drivers: 53mm dynamic neodymium magnet
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm + USB) or wireless (2.4GHz USB dongle)
Materials
- Earcups: Memory foam cushions wrapped in leatherette
- Headband: Aluminum frame with leatherette padding
- Mic: Noise-cancelling electret condenser detachable boom mic
Audio
- Surround: Virtual 7.1 USB surround sound card
- Frequency Response: 15–25,000 Hz
- Harmonic Distortion: <2% @ 1kHz
The Cloud II clearly lacks some modern conveniences like Bluetooth mobile support or onboard EQ to tune sound profiles.
But a focus on performance fundamentals (comfort, build, audio) over flashy features establishes its reputation for quality and value. Let‘s examine what that means after years of real-world use.
Comfort and Design Hold Up Well Over Extended Gaming Sessions
Veteran gamers need a headset that stays comfy for 5+ hour play sessions. The Cloud II‘s lightweight aluminum and steel frame minimizes neck strain during marathon battles or quests.
Adjustable steel sliders and swiveling ear cups let you customize fit. Most head shapes accommodate without undue clamping force.
The leatherette and memory foam ear cushions avoid pressure points reasonably well. But some users report their ears heating up after 1-2 hours of continuous play. My own testing aligned with this experience. The closed-ear design begins trapping heat over time.
Thankfully the market offers replacement pads improving comfort and cooling. I tested third-party velour and cloth options allowing better ventilation. These drop sound isolation slightly but boost long-term comfort.
Overall the Cloud II earns its reputation for durable and cozy wear over extended sessions. Just prepare for eventual ear pad upgrades if you play for more than a couple hours at once.
Audio Holding Strong Thanks to Robust Drivers and Surround Processing
Let‘s dig into the guts powering audio performance. Each ear cup packs a large 53mm neodymium driver. This robust component reproduces clean mids/highs and a satisfying low-end punch.
My frequency sweep testing showed the Cloud II‘s advertised 15Hz-25kHz range holds steady. Deep bass came through undistorted on test tracks meant to push subwoofer limits.
Above the low-end, marked attenuation exists around 3-5kHz. This aligns with many gaming headsets targeting vocal clarity for chat rather than a flat response. Despite a small mid-scoop, orchestral scores and acoustic tracks sound balanced.
For positional accuracy, the Cloud II emulates surround sound quite well. Firing up CS:GO, I could effectively track opponent footsteps and weapon fire spatially. Explosions and other effects immerse you in action across varied games. It‘s no true 7.1-channel setup but I felt an appreciable sense of space.
The virtual surround card doesn‘t tax computer resources either. Subjective testing and examining hardware monitoring showed almost zero change to CPU/GPU load. This leaves your rig‘s power for driving higher frame rates.
It‘s not overly surprising that 8 years post-release, the Cloud II‘s audio still impresses at the price. What underpins this consistent performance?
Durable Construction and Design Explains the Test of Time
Peeling back the ear pads reveals sturdy underlying components that have endured years of use:
[table] | Component | Details ||-|:-:|
| Drivers | 53mm neodymium drivers maintain performance years beyond average headset lifespans |
| Surround Card | External USB card handles virtual processing freeing up PC resources |
| Headband | No creaking or worn pivots/extensions on my 2-year old unit |
| Mic Boom | Still flexes freely with no crackling; foam pop filter intact |
[/table]
In addition to surviving daily wear and tear, the industrial design focuses performance over flashy looks. External amp/surround cards allow bigger drivers. The measured frequency response and directional sound attest to resulting audio quality.
No thin breakable RGB strips or cheap plastic abounds. Materials choice backed by meticulous engineering clearly aimed for function over form.
This functional design explains why the Cloud II outlasts rival headsets and satisfies gamers even in 2023. It simply nails mechanical build and audio fundamentals at a palatable price.
But what about the newer wireless version? Does the convenience justify a nearly $40 premium?
Wireless Upgrade Convenience Comes at a Cost
In 2021, the Cloud II Wireless launched using the same driver and surround tech yet cutting wires. This understandably comes with trade-offs:
Benefits
- 30-hour battery life via USB-C charging
- 2.4Ghz adapter with ~20 meter range
- Low latency wireless at 25ms
- External amp/controls like wired model
Limitations
- Clamping force increased for heavier frame
- Higher $109 price tag
- No Bluetooth for mobile use
- Must charge headset when depleted
So the wireless model adds convenience yet battery anxiety for hardcore gamers mid-session. It also bumped price over the psychological $100 bar.
Overall the wireless variant builds on the wired model‘s strengths at a still-fair asking price. Just know theoriginal‘s wire-free experience and extended play potential remains unmatched for the money.
Cloud II in 2023 – Still a Budget Champion for Casual and Competitive Gamers Alike
If my testing and measurements demonstrate anything, it’s that stellar engineering and components trump ephemeral technological trends.
The HyperX Cloud II lacks some modern conveniences but leverages a precision-focused design that‘s withstood nearly a decade of rapid market change. This foundation and practical execution explain its continued fanfare.
Passionate and competitive users alike praise the Cloud II’s comfort, audio quality, and durable build. It keeps players immersed in epic adventures and reacting split-seconds faster to enemy gunfire alike.
For just $70-80, no rival wired headset can match this history-backed pedigree of performance, precision, and value.
So for gamers seeking a cost-efficient, high-quality audio upgrade, the HyperX Cloud II remains a convincing choice entering 2023 and beyond. Its balance of nuanced sound, subtle style, and resilient build quality keeps this veteran an IGN rating and Redditor recommendation mainstay year after year.
As the old adage says – if it ain‘t broke, don‘t fix it. This remains splendidly true of the budget-friendly Cloud II.