Front line on the battlefield: what's HyperX Surround worth?
20.3.2017
Translation: machine translated
Surround sound makes every game more exciting. But not everyone wants to or can install a set of speakers in their home. 7.1 headsets, like the HyperX Cloud Revolver S, offer the simplest solution. Unfortunately, there's a catch!
I prefer surround sound achieved with real speakers. Still, direct-to-ear sound via a decent headset has its charm too. Especially as, during my online gaming sessions, I don't have to worry about my partner at the other end hearing everything with an echo, thanks to the high volume of my speakers and the table microphone I use.
The new HyperX Cloud Revolver S headphones from Kingston offer all-in-one. Driver-less surround sound, thanks to Plug 'n' Play technology, and PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One and Wii U compatibility.
Design and comfort
Visually, the Revolver S looks very similar to its predecessor - colour aside. Thanks to its metal headband, the helmet adapts easily to your head. It's neither too tight nor too loose. Even after several hours of continuous use, I didn't feel any pain or pressure on my ears. The comfort is really impeccable. I also liked the metal discs on the earcups, which make them easier to grip. These discs are used to secure the earcups, but instead of making them small and unobtrusive, Kingston preferred to enlarge them for a good grip.
Sound quality and configuration
A headphone shouldn't just seduce the ears with its soft cushions, it should above all produce a generous sound. And that's the case with the HyperX. You can connect them either via USB 2.0 - a sine qua non for surround sound - or via two 3.5 mm jacks. You don't need any drivers. So the Plug and Play promise has been kept. Simply press the surround button on the remote control to switch from stereo to 7.1 format. I played a number of games with these headphones, such as Battlefield 1 and Ghost Recon Wildlands, and was impressed by the sound. It may not reproduce the multidirectional sound spectrum, but its value for money is impressive. The surround sound system is also remarkable. You can hear, when someone is standing behind you and mumbling, and you can detect the origin of a gunshot.
When Dolby Surround is turned off, the control box lets you choose between three different audio modes: Vocals, Flat and Bass Boost. I opted for the Flat mode, which felt the most natural. However, I only used this configuration to listen to music. And that's where the HyperX doesn't come into its own. The sound is a little off and lacks power. "Like a party in a shoebox", said my audiophile boss. My colleague, on the other hand, is of the opinion that you should simply leave the Dolby Surround mode on when you want to listen to music. This option does deliver a more powerful sound, but, in my opinion, a little artificial.
A headset without a microphone wouldn't be a headset. The latter plugs in via a 3.5 mm jack. It's easily adjustable and completely removable if you don't need it. According to my colleagues on the other end of the line, the voice quality is good. They haven't noticed any significant difference from my Røde Procaster, which I mainly use for podcaster. As long as they can hear me clearly and understand me, I'm happy. At first, however, I had a few problems with the quality. My voice sounded choppy, as if I'd had a bad phone call. The problem disappeared, however, as soon as I plugged the headset in via a USB port on the back of my PC.
The control box lets you adjust the volume of the headphones, but also the microphone. The cable is robust and a good size.
How's that for virtual surround sound?
When my friendly colleague commissioned me to test the HyperX, I of course checked straight away, whether it was a model with Virtual Dolby Surround sound or real surround sound. Real surround sound means that each headset incorporates several speakers of different sizes. Just like when you spread several speakers around your living room or office.
Nowhere does the HyperX packaging mention 'virtual', so I assumed, that the 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound indication was hiding real surround sound. Even in the Windows audio settings, the headphones are automatically displayed as a 7.1 system. Testing the speakers separately, I found that there wasn't much difference between front and rear, but overall it sounded like surround sound to me. Not so. A quick glance at the HyperX website will tell you that these are in fact stereo headphones. The mention of integrated 50 mm speakers (drivers) should have tipped me off. However, this proves that the virtual sound is of such quality that I let myself be fooled. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't notice anything. So how could it be, when in a game the sound really does come from all directions. So you can tell yourself that virtual surround sound can deliver a very convincing sound.
Conclusion: let yourself be fooled
What does it matter, if it's not true surround sound? Okay, I admit that irritates me a little. But, the fact that I didn't notice anything, despite also owning a 5.1 surround sound system, speaks volumes. Virtual surround sound has come a long way. The sound quality of the HyperX is also convincing - at least when it comes to gaming. The microphone is audible, the control box is easy to use and comfort could hardly be better. For the price, then, a good deal.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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