Kingston’s HyperX Cloud Revolver S headphones take the usual Cloud Revolver headset and provides it just a few tweaks to make it’s sound stage extra versatile for gaming, music and video leisure.
Because of Dolby digital sign processing that creates digital 7.1-channel encompass sound, the Cloud Revolver S headset joins the leagues of different premium gaming headsets geared toward full immersion and full situational consciousness.
Nevertheless, opponents just like the $99 (£109, AU$159) Corsair Void Pro RGB and the $99 (£89,AU$169) Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition additionally supply game-oriented 7.1-channel encompass at a lower cost tag, so the HyperX headset has one thing to show at $149 (£139, AU$249).
As we’ll discover, other than just a few minor gripes, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S headset really proves itself in each method we might suppose to problem it.
Design
The aesthetic of the HyperX Cloud Revolver S is fairly and never overly “gamery.” Just a few factors trace at its gaming nature, however they’re refined. With the microphone eliminated, solely the “HX” brand indicating HyperX on each ear cups actually shouts “gaming.”
The black and white shade scheme isn’t dramatic, with black being most distinguished and white solely displaying up as minor accents on the ear cups and threaded into the scarf. Purple LEDs, in the meantime, solely make an look on the USB management field, and so they aren’t obvious.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S bodily construct is much more spectacular. The headset is constructed round a clean, metal body that’s pleasing to the contact and the eyes. This affords a versatile and strong really feel. Often steel frames can introduce a little bit of noise if brushed or tapped, however a pair of rubber dampers assist reduce the reverberation. Matte plastic ear cups connect to the metal body and pivot just a few levels in each route and the scarf slides freely for computerized adjustment to suit a consumer’s head.
The scarf and earpads are coated in leather-like “leatherette” pads stuffed with lush reminiscence foam that supply consolation for hours on finish and justify using “Cloud” within the headset’s identify. We’ve worn loads of lighter headsets and headphones that felt infinitely extra uncomfortable. The earpads make a large loop, to comfortably match massive ears and unfold out the clamping strain to the purpose of being negligible.
The microphone is likely one of the few weak factors within the design. It plugs into the HyperX Cloud Revolver S by way of a Three.5mm jack on the backside of the left headphone. It’s thick, bendable, and feels sturdy with no uncovered mesh to fret about ripping. .
The difficulty is that it likes to rebound a bit from the place it’s positioned if it’s bent very far. It’s not like a contortionist that can bend and keep in no matter place you place it. It’s additionally a disgrace the microphone can’t dock itself into the headset when not in use, however the added bulk most likely wouldn’t have been value it.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S is designed with assorted performance and compatibility nicely thought of. It could actually hook up with PC, PS4, PS4 Professional and different units that assist USB sound utilizing the included USB dongle. A easy Three-pole Three.5mm jack additionally lets it plug into virtually every other machine from a humble cellphone to a beefy Xbox One X or VR headset.
If wanted, a breakout cable even comes packed within the field to separate the microphone and headphone audio into twin Three.5mm jacks. It must be famous that the magic of the Dolby digital encompass will probably be misplaced with choices that don’t use the USB connection.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S makes use of braided cables which can be considerably inflexible. From the headphones, the primary size of cable is about three toes, which is a manageable size to achieve the USB management panel. The panel has a clip on it that appears meant for attaching to a pocket or belt.
From there, the cable will get a bit insane at roughly eight toes in size. If you happen to’re near your pc, the cable can really feel extreme. However, because it’s appropriate with consoles the place you is perhaps sitting additional away, having the additional attain and never needing it’s higher than not having it when wanted.
Sound backyard
If you happen to suppose we haven’t gushed sufficient in regards to the design of the headset, don’t fear. The HyperX Cloud Revolver S efficiency is equally laudable.
Setup is straightforward. Kingston says “Plug N Play” and the HyperX Cloud Revolver S are simply that. No hunt for drivers, no required software program to handle sound profiles. We plugged the USB machine in, punched the button on the dongle to activate Dolby’s digital sign processor, and growth, we have been set.
The 50mm drivers pack a punch whereas protecting sound readability intact. We cranked up video games to the purpose the place explosions have been greater than just a little jarring, and every part nonetheless sounded crisp and clear. The HyperX Cloud Revolver S doesn’t muddle excessive hats or bass strains, and produces clear mid-tones.
The Dolby DSP introduces some noise, however the noise-to-signal ratio is sweet, and the interference is shortly coated up. The one occasions we actually seen it was listening to music that began quiet, with little greater than a single observe performed at a time.
On the observe of music, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S is quirky however enjoyable. With every part set to regular, the headphones are wonderful for music. The in-line management panel affords three equalizer presets: a bass enhance and a flat or vocal EQ. The bass is sweet sufficient, however we didn’t discover a lot use for the flat and vocal EQ choices. We did, nonetheless, attempt kicking on the Dolby DSP whereas listening to music, and it was a blast.
The Dolby digital sign processing could introduce noise, however it additionally spreads out all the weather within the tune, so you’re feeling surrounded by them, lending an virtually reside really feel. Al, John and Paco gave the impression of they have been sitting round us franticly selecting and tapping their guitars. Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes shouting, “come on, chemical compounds,” from throughout was wonderful.
There’s a tinge of echo that purist audiophiles could hate, however it additionally affords some novelty to songs we’ve heard a whole bunch of occasions. Eddie Hazel’s solo in Funkadelic’s Maggot Mind can nearly take you to a special dimension even with crap headphones, so it blew our minds yet again whereas listening with the HyperX Cloud Revolver S and the Dolby DSP switched on.
The atmospherics provided in music carried over to video content material as nicely. We examined this out with a little bit of Surprise Girl and Dunkirk. Naturally, Dunkirk was intense, with each gunshot rattling us. What stood out most have been the minor background sounds, just like the sound of birds and different background components we didn’t discover earlier than. By spreading out the weather, the environments are that rather more compelling.
Efficiency
After all, all of that’s simply icing on the cake. Online game efficiency is what it’s all about, and the HyperX Cloud Revolver S doesn’t disappoint. To place it bluntly, no, the digital 7.1-channel encompass sound didn’t make it potential for us to exactly pinpoint a footstep at our eight o’clock so we might whirl round and shock sneaky adversaries with a fast headshot. However, it nonetheless affords strong spatial sound that may assist immensely in video games.
As a result of the Dolby DSP does such job of spreading out sounds, it’s simple to differentiate sounds even in clamorous environments. We have been defending the tip of King’s Row in Overwatch, and although the payload was close by and busy with fight, we might head the loud footsteps of an enemy Reaper, get a normal concept of the place he was (certain sufficient, he was lurking on the balcony above), and we might warn our teammates in time to keep away from a nasty shock.
We additionally examined the HyperX Cloud Revolver S in Rainbow Six Siege and Battlefield One. In Rainbow Six, sound cues can go a protracted approach to staying alive and successful the sport, and the HyperX Cloud Revolver S was no slouch at protecting us conscious of our environment. In Battlefield One, the encompass sound helped pull us into the surroundings, making us really feel like we have been that a lot deeper within the mud with snipers popping pictures from the tower on our proper, and a few jerk tossing flame grenades up forward of us.
Would not really work sadly
The microphone, regardless of its finicky flexibility, is a strong selection for gaming. Kingston boasts its TeamSpeak and Discord certification, and we have been happy with it, too. None of our teammates ever barked, “your mic is most cancers,” whereas taking part in with us. The noise-cancelling proved efficient in a bevy of checks. In our worst take a look at surroundings, a loud cafe with music on, many of the sound was lowered, with solely the occasional sound of clinking glass coming by way of.
Background noise was simply overpowered by our personal voice within the microphone. There’s undoubtedly a candy spot for the mic although. Too shut and your breath will sound like a powerful gust. Too far and it goes faint. Severe avid gamers or streamers with a devoted microphone can take the microphone off and overlook about it (or discover another use for it).
Remaining verdict
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S is an throughout spectacular headset geared for gaming however prepared to take action way more. The 7.1-channel encompass sound provided by way of the Dolby DSP creates a large soundstage that’s helpful in video games and immerses you in films and music. All of the whereas, the sound high quality dazzles all the best way from bass by way of to treble.
Past the sound, the headset’s construct stands out as a premium characteristic that helps justify the marginally larger worth. Metallic, rubberized plastic, fake leather-based and reminiscence foam all come collectively into a cushty and strong headset that doesn’t really feel low cost wherever. And did we point out the consolation? Ten hours of gaming on a lazy Saturday is simply too simple to do with the HyperX Cloud Revolver S.
Certain, the microphone isn’t essentially the most versatile or simple to stow away we’ve ever used, however the sound is crisp and handles the job of protecting teammates knowledgeable in aggressive video games. And, sure, the worth is a bit larger than loads of different headsets providing 7.1-channel encompass, however on the subject of the entire package deal, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S is well value each cent.