I’m certain many people nonetheless look on the HyperX Cloud 3’s predecessor, the Cloud 2, with fondness. In any case, why not? It’s a superb, sincere headset; an actual crowd-pleaser on the worth bracket. I’m happy to say the Cloud 3 occupies an identical place within the headset hierarchy: as a jack-of-all-trades that nails the fundamentals with out costing the earth.
My month or so spent with the Cloud 3 makes me suppose the gaming model firmly believes the age-old adage: if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. That’s usually a superb factor, and it’ll be music to the ears of Cloud 2 followers, when you’ll pardon the pun. It does all the identical issues proper, however falls simply wanting being a really high tier little bit of equipment.
HyperX Cloud 3 efficiency
Let’s begin off with the good things: this headset sounds nice. It carried out solidly in each recreation I attempted it out on, with sound results, ambient noise, and music all coming via with a transparent and crisp sound profile. In Valorant, the place audio cues are important, the Cloud 3 assuredly handed muster, with the built-in digital encompass sound giving clear indication of my enemies’ whereabouts from their footsteps and gunfire. At all times key for a sweaty tryhard session on ladder!
I truly downloaded Overwatch 2 once more to check the Cloud 3 out, remembering all of the work the devs did to revamp the sound design for the sequel. (To be sincere, the much-improved sound was one of many few issues to impress me on the sequel’s botched launch.) And that positively got here via with this headset. The crack of Cassidy’s signature six-shooter is upgraded to a peremptory increase because of the Cloud 3’s 53mm angled drivers, and Reaper’s Hellfire shotguns are sufficiently meaty, too.
If you happen to like your music – be that artists or videogame soundtracks – the Cloud 3 is serviceable sufficient, if unspectacular. Elden Ring’s hauntingly sparse soundtrack comes via properly, for instance, however I wanted to tweak the equalizer to get a satisfyingly full sound, one thing I’ll discuss extra within the options part of this overview. I attempted out 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, as decrease frequencies can get a bit of misplaced with out EQ assist.
HyperX Cloud 3 design
The HyperX Cloud 3 has a reasonably middle-of-the-road design, however that’s not at all times the top of the world. If you happen to’re conversant in the Cloud 2, you’ll be seeing double right here: the Cloud 3 seems virtually an identical to its predecessor. One factor it has obtained over its forebear’s design is eschewing the pink stitching on the scarf for what I deem a extra premium look.
The pattern I obtained for overview is the black and pink model, however I believe I’d have most well-liked the pure black mannequin, which seems a bit of sleeker and classier in my opinion. HyperX actually hasn’t reinvented the wheel right here, however total, I’d say it seems good sufficient.
It’s additionally fairly comfy. The plush leatherette on the cushions and headband appears sturdy and agency with out compromising pliancy. If you happen to’ve obtained an infinite head like me, you’ll be used to headsets feeling tight and ear cups not essentially becoming spherical your ear. Properly, if my expertise is something to go by, you gained’t run into these points with the Cloud 3. It’s a cosy match, however in a snug, slightly than oppressive approach. The reminiscence foam within the cushions notably contributes to the headset’s premium really feel, and these cans appear to get a bit of extra comfy every time I put on them.
One detractor from the set’s total consolation stage is its weight. At 320g with the mic connected, the Cloud 3 is a bit of heavier than common and, with the cosy headband, I’ve seen that it could cause a little bit of pressure over longer gaming or work periods. I are likely to take away the removable mic after I’m not utilizing it, however nonetheless discover myself taking the set off for a break each few hours, which is a bit of disappointing.
HyperX Cloud 3 options
The Cloud 3’s removable 10mm microphone is, once more, respectable. (You is perhaps noticing a theme right here.) Whereas taking part in Overwatch 2 and Valorant, my comms on Discord all come via properly based on mates. I additionally use the cans in an expert setting over Google Meet, once more with no situation, because of the Cloud 3’s inner steel mesh pop filter doing its work, and noise cancellation tech eradicating any untoward background interference. I wouldn’t suggest streaming professionally with this microphone, nevertheless it’s completely good for on a regular basis functions.
One factor I appreciated about this product is all of the completely different connectors bundled into the Cloud 3’s lead as customary, together with 3.5mm, USB-C, and USB-A performance. This implies switching between utilizing the cans together with your cellphone, laptop computer, and desktop PC takes mere seconds. Whereas a reasonably trivial high quality of life addition, the inclusion of all these connectors emblemizes HyperX’s consideration to element with the Cloud 3.
Now, onto software program. I’ve used HyperX’s Ngenuity app earlier than to mess about with my HyperX Alloy Origins keyboard’s RGB lighting, and it’s additionally confirmed a useful instrument for tweaking the Cloud 3’s settings. Most significantly, the equalizer instrument gave me the possibility I wanted to tinker with completely different frequencies.
As I discussed above, the bass is a bit of missing with the Cloud 3, and I discovered that boosting the decrease frequencies considerably, and turning the treble up by a bit, gave me the perfect end result for listening to music. For gaming, the elevated bass is much less essential, however helped a bit of bit with footsteps in Valorant, for instance. Ngenuity makes tweaking these completely different frequencies simple, and you may have a number of customized presets to change between on the fly. Keep in mind I wasn’t capable of restore default presets after tinkering with them, so watch out enhancing them.
I attempted enabling HyperX’s DTS X Spatial Sound function on Ngenuity, to see if it revolutionized the 3D sound simulation as promised. Whereas it positively made the directional audio sound a bit extra ‘actual’, I discovered this setting made the sound profile so muddy and cluttered that it was a web unfavourable. You may discover it to your liking, so positively give it a go, however I’ll be ready for HyperX to replace this function a bit earlier than deploying it once more.
You’ll be able to, after all, simply plug in and use the set with out bothering with Ngenuity, nevertheless it positively helped enhance my expertise with the Cloud 3, so it’s value a look, no less than.
HyperX Cloud 3 worth
At $99.99, the Cloud 3 nearly falls into the finances class, one thing to HyperX’s credit score. The actual fact this headset delivers solidly in each space whereas coming in at (simply) beneath $100 might be its biggest power. After all, you’re not going to get elite efficiency at this worth, however the Cloud 3 has a strong shout at being the best gaming headset when you’ve obtained $100 to spend.
However, I’m not fully certain the Cloud 3 delivers substantial sufficient enhancements over its predecessor to warrant shopping for it at full worth when the Cloud 2 is commonly accessible at substantial low cost. There’s stiff competitors at this bracket, and you may additionally wish to take into account the Corsair HS65 Encompass if fashion is essential to you, as visually it stands out much more than the Cloud 3.
Is the HyperX Cloud 3 value it?
As I’ve stated many times all through the overview, the Cloud 3 provides strong returns in each key space. It’s actually a jack-of-all-trades, however equally, it proves the latter a part of that phrase: jack-of-all-trades, grasp of none.
There’s no space the place the HyperX Cloud 3 actually guidelines the roost versus its competitors. You’ll find higher sound constancy elsewhere, or a extra premium mic, or a extra fashionable design. However these cans can and do compete on all fronts, making them a strong alternative, particularly at this worth.
Execs:
- Dependable all-rounder
- Sounds nice with video games, good with music
- Cheap worth
Cons:
- Can get a bit of uncomfortable over lengthy intervals attributable to its weight
- Bass profile is a bit underwhelming
HyperX Cloud 3 the place to purchase
The HyperX Cloud 3 gaming headset is accessible from retailers like Amazon. Listed here are a few of the finest offers on the headset proper now:
HyperX Cloud 3 overview
A strong efficiency throughout all key areas make the HyperX Cloud 3 a straightforward advice, particularly when you’re on a finances, even when it might be barely extra comfy with a greater bass profile.
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