Wireless gaming headset put through its paces: HyperX Cloud Flight
8.2.2018
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Ramon Schneider
HyperX has built up a good reputation among gamers in the past. Ergonomics are a top priority. The manufacturer also advertises the great "immersive" sound - a deep sound experience, as well as a long battery life. We want to find out whether the headset can deliver what it promises.
The specifications on paper are impressive. The headset is said to have a battery life of up to 30 hours. It is PC and PS4 (Pro) ready, has a detachable microphone with noise cancellation, 90° rotatable ear cups and LED effects. According to the manufacturer, the audio and microphone controls are intuitive. If required, the sound can also reach the ear via an analogue connection using the 3.5 mm jack cable supplied. For wireless transmission in the 2.4 GHz range, the HyperX Cloud Flight offers a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz - wired 15 Hz to 23,000 Hz. However, there is one small drawback: the headset "only" offers stereo sound.
Let the games begin - open the pack
It may not be Christmas, but it feels like it. At least until I remember that the packaging will have to be returned at some point - with the contents, of course. But never mind, for now the contents are "my treasure" and should remain so for the next few days.
The contents:
Paper (Quick Start Guide and other things I don't read anyway), gaming headset, USB stick for wireless transmission, microphone with 3.5 mm connection, 3.5 mm jack cable, USB charging cable
So far, so good - the headset looks high quality and when adjusting the headband to the head size, it is immediately apparent that HyperX has gone the extra mile: The sliders on the headband are made of steel. The over-ear headset also automatically adjusts to the shape of your head when you put it on - swivelling ear cups are a good thing. Everything seems to fit perfectly. The first impression makes me happy. Even if my head can't really be compared to a baby's bum, I still have the feeling of being freshly powdered and cosily wrapped up, ready for new outrages. Let's see how it performs in use.
According to the manufacturer, charging via USB cable takes up to 5 hours. After 3 hours, however, the headset is ready to go - presumably the built-in 1500 mAh battery was already slightly charged when it was delivered. Incidentally, it's a shame that you can't replace it yourself.
Scenario 1: Wired use
Even though the headset was developed for gaming, you can also use it with a smartphone or MP3 player thanks to the 3.5 mm jack cable. As I'm currently sitting in the office and don't have a PS4 Pro or gaming PC in front of me, there's nothing else to do for the time being. But that shouldn't diminish the fun - after all, I have the best FLAC sound with me.
I plug the cable into the headset and smartphone, press the power button for three seconds and am surprised that nothing happens. The headset should actually beep when I switch it on. But there is no beep and no LED effect, as advertised by HyperX. What's that supposed to do? Well, I'll have to take a quick look at the operating instructions. And lo and behold, there's nothing about it.
I then read in a forum that the functionality is limited in wired operation - meaning that neither the LED effect nor the volume control and certainly not the microphone work. No matter, it's primarily a wireless gamer headset. That's why I can overlook the fact that I have to adjust the volume directly on my smartphone.
I plug it in again, start the sound et voilà; I finally have a reason to laugh. My hearing isn't really audiophile, but the crystal-clear sound is all the more impressive. Wow, this thing really delivers - compared to my in-ear headphones (yes, I like them), this is a huge improvement in quality. Compared to the Bose system at home, however, I miss the bass-induced tingling in my stomach - but what headset has a subwoofer...
Nevertheless, the sound is convincing and what is also noticeable; despite the relatively high volume, I can still hear my work colleagues a little. You're not completely cut off from the outside world.
Scenario 2: Teamspeak and online gaming on the PC
Finally, the headset was made for this discipline. And yes - it's certified for both Teamspeak and Discord.
It's just too bad that I personally haven't played multiplayer titles on PC for some time now. Or maybe it's a good thing, because I can get a second opinion on the product. From my better half, who likes to immerse herself in the world of "The Elder Scrolls Online" from time to time. Together with other brave heroes, she mixes up the monsters in the dungeons, fights against other factions or fishes for hours in the lake for rare animals and "wet sacks". In any case, this is exactly the intended area of use; without Teamspeak or Discord, successful battles are not possible. And even when fishing, a chat with your game mates can't hurt.
My wife looks at me questioningly as I hand her the headset. I briefly explain that all she has to do is plug in the USB stick and she can get started straight away. I briefly mention that her previous wired headset had major problems with the volume and noise cancellation of the microphone.
It doesn't take 15 minutes before I get my first feedback:
"It's so amazing - listen to this sound! I didn't have to configure anything, everyone finally understands me on Teamspeak."
For the time being, she seems more than satisfied with the headset and the voice quality. I also get a first impression. The LED effects light up nicely, but are actually unnecessary chichi and not really a selling point. The operation, on the other hand, is really intuitive. If you want to mute the microphone briefly, press the lower section of the left shell. The volume and power button (which is also used to change the LED effects) are easily accessible on the right shell.
I am delighted with the positive feedback and am already considering buying the headset. But about an hour later, the next feedback comes; the headset unfortunately presses on the ear cups after a while and is too heavy, at least for my wife. Let's see how I fare in a long-term test.
Scenario 3: Operation on the PlayStation 4
It's a good thing I own a PlayStation 4 (Pro), because other consoles are not supported by this headset. The same applies here: plug in the USB stick and get started. It doesn't take a second before a headset symbol appears and the message "Microphone switched to USB headset." is displayed.
A tip on the side: If you press and hold the PS button, you can set under "Sound/Devices" whether only the chat or all sound should be played on the headset during sound output.
I start "Elex" because I'm not playing anything else at the moment. No, not even for this test. However, I briefly check that the microphone is working. It does what it's supposed to do, and my interlocutor (thanks to the person who asked not to be named) finds the quality quite acceptable.
But now back to my ego trip in the single-player title "Elex". Even though I spent a lot of the first few hours in this game swearing (I was constantly dying at the simplest monsters), it definitely got my goat after about five hours of play. I've now got 51 hours under my belt and dream of albs, mutants and the brilliant shotgun "Donnerschlag" at night.
The sound is powerful, the bass is crisp and I'm amazed at how accurately I can pinpoint the position of my enemies - extremely accurately. In the first minute, I catch myself trying to shoo a mosquito away from my ear. Only a split second after the noise do I realise that this is part of the game sound. The fact that the headset only offers stereo sound doesn't bother me at all. I'm absolutely thrilled - for the time being.
After just over an hour, however, I start to feel some pain. The temple of my glasses is straining my temple due to the pressure of the shells. I go to the bathroom and put in contact lenses. That solves the problem. But I don't always want to play with lenses - so the headset isn't ideal for me. Despite the best sound and a battery life that actually feels like it comes close to the 30 hours claimed by the manufacturer, I'll have to keep searching before I find the perfect headset for me. It's nice that digitec has enough alternative products in stock that are awaiting further testing.
Conclusion
The HyperX Cloud Flight delivers what it promises. Ergonomically speaking, the headset is absolutely well thought-out and adapts perfectly to the shape of the head. For some gamers, however, the pressure of the over-ear cups might be a little too much. However, this should primarily affect people who wear glasses.
The sound is 1A and delights gamers. The operating concept is well thought-out and simple. However, you need to be aware before buying that operation is only possible on PC and PS4 (or analogue with limited function). If you want to enjoy a film with the headset, this is only possible on the PS4 or your home PC. The lack of support (keyword Bluetooth) for operation on a smart TV, a receiver or other media players can be a killer argument against the purchase.
Nevertheless - well done HyperX!
Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.
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