Even though HyperX isn’t quite up there just yet with the “big boys” in the headset manufacturing market (looking at you, kings of Astro Gaming), it’s definitely getting there, and each model it makes gets one step closer to being an ideal headset. The company’s latest try is the Cloud Revolver, a headset that offers sweet directional audio, memory foam ear cups that create a comfortable feeling over time, and a steel suspension frame, so they can take damage where needed. That said, it feels like a slight step down from the Cloud II headset, mainly due to some missing surround sound features.
That’s not to say that the Cloud Revolver doesn’t have quality sound, as it certainly does. Featuring 50-millimeter drivers that can provide a stronger sound quality than most of HyperX’s line of headphones, it does a very good job at delivering great stereo across a number of games. We tested it across the likes of Song of the Deep, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, Forza Horizon 2 and even the now-backward compatible Red Dead Redemption, and each time the audio quality was pretty cool.
However, I can’t help but wonder why the virtual 7.1 surround sound was removed. After all, this was a big feature with the Cloud II, and while it may not seem like a significant change to many of you eSports fans out there, to some, it can actually be quite a bit of difference. And considering this model is $20 more than the previous Cloud model, it’s a little perplexing as to why it was taken out.
Still, if you’re not big on surround, you’ll find the quality here to earn high marks, especially with meatier games that make more proper use of their sound.
The design is also a little bit sleeker than the Cloud II, with some cool-looking ear cups that just scream “eSports design” and comfortable head adjustment, so they won’t wear down on you over time. That’s mainly due to the memory form and leatherette-covered ear cups that can withstand a great deal of head wear over time. There was a slight bit of sweat build up inside, but that’s pretty standard for most headsets these days anyway, given the sheer stress of sessions of League of Legends and other games.
The microphone is also very col, providing a good range of picking up your voice while not getting in the way of your gaming sessions. There were rarely any issues where I couldn’t be heard, save for something chaotic going on in the game itself. Otherwise, it’s pretty solid. It can also be used with microphone and headphone jacks, so you can connect to your PC or even take the headset on the go for some music listening.
The only real defect to the design is that you can’t really customize the design of the headset when it comes to lighting, as you could with SteelSeries’ previous headsets, like the V3 Prism. It’s pretty much just one general design – a good one, mind you – but those looking for a bit more liveliness in their headset display may want to shop around a bit more. When it comes to quality, though, the Cloud Revolver certainly delivers.
What it comes down to is what you want out of a headset. If you can live without the virtual surround feature and don’t mind the sleek design of the Cloud Revolver as it stands, you’ll enjoy what’s offered here. However, you might want to look into the Cloud II as well, since it’s a little bit cheaper and has a couple additional features to it. If you just want to get right into games, though, feel free to indulge.
