I am certain many people nonetheless look to the HyperX cloud 3the predecessor of, the Cloud 2, with love. In spite of everything, why not? It is a good, trustworthy headset; an actual crowd pleaser within the worth vary. I am happy to say that the Cloud 3 occupies an analogous place within the headphone hierarchy: as an all-rounder that nails the fundamentals with out costing the earth.
My month or so spent with the Cloud 3 makes me assume the gaming model is a agency believer within the outdated adage: if it ain’t broke, do not repair it. That is typically a superb factor, and it is going to be music to Cloud 2 followers’ ears, in the event you’ll pardon the pun. It does the entire identical issues properly, however falls wanting being a really top-tier piece of package.
HyperX Cloud 3 efficiency
Let’s begin with the great things: This headset sounds nice. It carried out solidly in each recreation I examined it on, with sound results, ambient noise, and music all arriving with a crisp, clear audio profile. In Valorant, the place audio cues are important, the Cloud 3 actually handed the take a look at, with built-in digital encompass sound offering a transparent indication of my enemies’ location from their footsteps and gunfire. All the time key to a sweaty scale take a look at session!
I really re-downloaded Overwatch 2 to check the Cloud 3, remembering all of the work the builders did to revamp the sequel’s sound design. (To be honest, the much-improved sound was one of many few issues that stood out to me on the sequel’s failed launch.) And that actually occurred with this headset. The crack of Cassidy’s signature six-shot is upgraded to a peremptory increase due to the Cloud 3’s angled 53mm drivers, and Reaper’s Hellfire rifles are sufficiently meaty, too.
For those who like your music, whether or not it is artists or online game soundtracks, the Cloud 3 is sort of helpful, if not spectacular. Elden Ring’s hauntingly sparse soundtrack, for instance, pulls off simply nice, however I wanted to tweak the EQ to get a full, satisfying sound, one thing I am going to speak extra about within the options part of this overview. I’ve tried a spread of genres with these cans and one factor I’ll say is that bass heads ought to in all probability keep away from this headset, because the decrease frequencies can get misplaced fairly a bit with out assist from the EQ.
HyperX Cloud 3 design
HyperX Cloud 3 has a reasonably common design, however it’s not all the time the top of the world. For those who’re acquainted with the Cloud 2, you will see double right here: The Cloud 3 appears to be like nearly equivalent to its predecessor. One factor is has it surpassed its predecessor’s design is eschewing the crimson stitching on the headscarf for what I really feel is a extra premium look.
The pattern I acquired for overview is the black and crimson model, however I believe I might have most popular the pure black mannequin, which appears to be like a bit extra elegant and fashionable in my view. HyperX actually hasn’t reinvented the wheel right here, however general I might say it appears to be like fairly good.
It is also fairly comfy. The smooth leatherette on the cushions and headband feels sturdy and stable with out compromising flexibility. You probably have an enormous head like me, you will be used to listening to headphones really feel cramped and earcups that do not essentially suit your ear. Effectively, if my expertise is something to go by, you will not run into these points with the Cloud 3. It matches completely, however in a method that is comfy, slightly than oppressive. The reminiscence foam within the cushions contributes particularly to the standard really feel of the headphones, and these cans appear to get a bit of extra comfy each time I put on them.
A detractor to the set’s general consolation stage is its weight. At 320g with the mic hooked up, the Cloud 3 is a bit heavier than common, and with the cosy headband, I’ve seen it could possibly trigger some pressure throughout longer gaming or work periods. I are inclined to take away the removable mic once I’m not utilizing it, however nonetheless discover myself taking the set off for a break each few hours which is a bit disappointing.
Options of HyperX Cloud 3
The Cloud 3’s 10mm removable mic is, once more, first rate. (You could discover a theme right here.) Whereas enjoying Overwatch 2 and Valorant, my Discord communications are all nice in line with mates. I additionally use the cans in knowledgeable setting on Google Meet, once more with no points, due to the Cloud 3’s inner steel mesh pop filter that will get the job executed, and noise-canceling expertise that removes any disagreeable background interference. I would not advocate skilled streaming with this mic, however it’s good for on a regular basis functions.
One factor I did like about this product is the entire totally different connectors included within the Cloud 3’s cable as customary, together with 3.5mm, USB-C, and USB-A capabilities. This implies switching between utilizing the cans along with your cellphone, laptop computer and desktop PC takes simply seconds. Whereas a reasonably mundane quality-of-life addition, the inclusion of all of those connectors symbolizes HyperX’s consideration to element with the Cloud 3.
Now, onto the software program. I’ve already used HyperX’s Ngenuity app to play with the RGB lighting of my HyperX Alloy Origins keyboard, and it is also confirmed to be a useful gizmo for tweaking Cloud 3 settings. Extra importantly, the equalizer device gave me the likelihood I wanted to tinker with totally different frequencies.
As I discussed above, bass is a bit missing with the Cloud 3, and I discovered that boosting the decrease frequencies considerably and turning up the treble a bit gave me the most effective consequence for listening to music. For gaming, the bass increase is much less essential, however it did assist a bit with footsteps in Valorant, for instance. Ngenuity makes it straightforward to vary these totally different frequencies, and you may have a number of customized presets to change between them on the fly. Observe that I have never been capable of restore the default presets after tinkering with them, so watch out when modifying them.
I attempted enabling HyperX’s DTS X Spatial Sound characteristic on Ngenuity, to see if it revolutionized 3D sound simulation as promised. Whereas it undoubtedly made directional audio sound a bit of extra “actual,” I discovered that this setting made the sound profile so fuzzy and cluttered that it was a definite damaging. You would possibly discover it to your liking, so undoubtedly give it a attempt, however I am going to look ahead to HyperX to replace this characteristic a bit earlier than rolling it out once more.
After all you’ll be able to simply plug in and use the set with out worrying about Ngenuity, however it undoubtedly helped enhance my Cloud 3 expertise, so it is at the least price a glance.
Value of HyperX Cloud 3
At $99.99, the Cloud 3 nearly falls into the finances class, one thing to HyperX’s credit score. The truth that this headset presents solidity in each space whereas coming in at (simply) beneath $100 is arguably its largest promoting level. Positive, you will not get elite efficiency at this worth level, however the Cloud 3 has a stable cry for being the most effective gaming headset in case you have $100 to spend.
Alternatively, I am not totally certain the Cloud 3 presents substantial sufficient enhancements over its predecessor to warrant shopping for at full worth when the Cloud 2 is usually accessible at a considerable low cost. There’s stiff competitors on this vary, and also you would possibly even wish to think about the Corsair HS65 Encompass if type is necessary to you, because it visually stands out way more than the Cloud 3.
Is HyperX Cloud 3 price it?
As I stated time and again all through the overview, the Cloud 3 delivers stable returns in each key space. He is actually a jack of all trades, however he equally proves the final a part of that sentence: jack of all trades, grasp of none.
There isn’t any space the place HyperX Cloud 3 actually holds the roost over the competitors. You could find higher sound constancy elsewhere, or a extra premium mic or sleeker design. However these cans can and do compete on each entrance, making them a stable alternative, particularly at this worth level.
Professionals:
- Dependable all-rounder
- Sounds nice with video games, good with music
- Affordable worth
In opposition to:
- It will possibly get a bit of uncomfortable for lengthy durations because of its weight
- The bass profile is a bit disappointing
HyperX Cloud 3 the place to purchase
The HyperX Cloud 3 gaming headset is offered from retailers like Amazon. Listed here are a few of the greatest offers on the headset proper now:
HyperX Cloud 3 overview
Strong efficiency in all key areas makes the HyperX Cloud 3 a simple suggestion, particularly in the event you’re on a finances, although it may be barely extra comfy with a greater bass profile.
