By Jason Vaught
Manufacturer: Kingston Technology Corporation
Product Name: HyperX Cloud Revolver Gaming Headset
Model Number: HX-HSCR-BK/NA
UPC: 740617250459
Price As Tested: $119.99 (Amazon | NewEgg)Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Kingston.
Kingston is attempting to defy the odds and beat their very own HyperX Cloud II Headset with their new studio-grade HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset. Boasting advanced directional 50mm drivers, a low impedance, circumaural closed back design, and a steel frame, the Cloud Revolver Headset does appear to be a contender. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I’m going to be putting the Cloud Revolver Headset through it’s paces, especially it’s claims for directional sound during gameplay.
- Studio-grade sound stage
- Signature HyperX memory foam with premium leatherette
- Durable steel frame
- Detachable noise-cancellation microphone
- Next-generation directional 50mm drivers
- Multi-platform compatibility
Let’s have a brief overview of what the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset is all about.
Inside the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset’s box, you will receive a detachable microphone, the headset with it’s attached 1 meter cord, and the in-line remote with it’s 2 meter cord. Also you will receive a brief quick start guide that outlines how to use the headset with a PC, PS4 controller, and XBox One controller (adapter required) as well as different mobile devices.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver utilizes an in-line audio control box that splits the 4-pole connector in to two seperate 3.5mm plugs for use with your PC (headphone and microphone). Also featured on the audio control box is a large, smooth sliding microphone mute switch.
The styling of the HyperX Revolver Headset strays away from HyperX’s other offerings by utilizing a steel frame and a floating, spring loaded, headband design.
Unlike the HyperX Cloud II Headset, the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset only comes with one set of ear cups. The ear cups feature HyperX’s signature red memory foam and is covered in a soft leatherette.
And of course, adorned atop the headset’s free floating headband is the distinctive HyperX logo.
Now we’ll take a closer look at some of the detailed features that the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset has to offer.
One of the signature features of the HyperX headsets is the removable microphone. Unlike the Cloud II headset, the Cloud Revolver does not come with a filler cap for the microphone hole should you choose to leave it detached for a period of time. It is also worth noting that the microphone on the Cloud Revolver does not feature a wind sock like it’s headset brethren.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver headset utilizes a two piece cord to facilitate it’s functions with multiple devices. When using the Cloud Revolver headset with a PS4, XBox One, or mobile device, the audio control box is not used as it is not needed. When you want to utilize the headset with a PC, then you’ll need the stereo headphone and microphone jacks on the audio control box’s 2 meter cord. You will also note that all the cords are braided, such as it has become the standard in gaming gear.
On the bottom of the audio control box, there is a convenient plastic clip so that you may position the box anywhere on your person for easy access.
Featured on the top of the audio control box is a large, easy to use microphone mute button. Along the side of the audio control box is a volume potentiometer. During the testing, the potentiometer dial was smooth and there was no crackling when adjusting the dial.
As you can see above the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset features a unique design combined with a steel frame. The steel frame, while it feels durable, does come with some cons. It’s lightweight, but noisy when sitting on your head, basically turning the steel bars into tuning forks that translate directly to the ear cups when bumped. The free floating memory foam headband works very well, but is a little too strong for prolonged comfort. The stiffness of the spring loaded headband will more than likely ease over time as it gets used.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver Gaming Headset was tested with a variety of games, music and movies/TV shows. Since sound perception is very subjective, for my testing I decided to focus primarily on the perceived sound quality as well as the functionality of the features listed on HyperX’s website for this headset. This headset was tested with The Division, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Diablo III for 30+ hours respectively. I also tested the headset with a virtual barbershop environment that I found on YouTube.
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Motherboard: MSI X99A SLI PLUS LGA 2011-v3
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System Memory: HyperX Savage 64GB (8 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4
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Processor: Intel Core i7-5930K Haswell-E 6-Core 3.5 GHz LGA 2011-v3
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Audio: On-board & Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
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Video: Crossfired 2 x XFX Double Dissipation R9-290X (4GB)
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PSU: SeaSonic Platinum 1200W
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Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2412M IPS 24″ x 3 @ 5760×1200
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Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
This headset performed quite differently with different content, so I will break this down on a per content basis.
Movies/TV Shows: With my computer’s equalizer settings adjusted appropriately, I found the sound to lack bass, and be somewhat “tinny”. However, it’s worth noting, that the mids were clear, and there was no distortion at high volumes.
Music: Similar to that of Movies/TV, music listening resulting in a distant, tinny sound. Adjusting the equalizer settings did help some, but not enough to my satisfaction. Bass was virtually non existent.
Games: This is where the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset shines, in terms of sound quality. I could easily detect and hear sound from multiple directions, even very low sounds. Unfortunately, the microphone needs some improvement. The microphone has problems with splosions and popping, and doesn’t seem to pick up low volume input very well. That being said, given that most microphones built into headsets are not the greatest, it falls right in line with similar headsets at or around the same price point.
In general, gaming headsets fall short of actual headphones in terms of sound. The HyperX Cloud Revolver is no different in that aspect. But as a gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Revolver performs well, providing good directional sound clarity and crisp, clear mids.
HyperX took a different approach when designing this headset, they focused on directional sound, which is perfect for gaming. However, for anything else, this headset falls short. Be that as it may, I cannot knock them for this shortcoming as the headset is designed to be and advertised as a gaming headset, and in that aspect it works well.
When trying to gauge and measure the performance of a headset it will come down to sound quality and microphone clarity. The HyperX Cloud revolver does one of these very well, given that you use it only for gaming, and the other not so much. The microphone on this headset could use a lot of improvement. It feels like HyperX wanted to tackle directional sound, without the use of a DSP, and the microphone was an afterthought.
Appearance wise, well that is subjective as well. For me, personally, it looks like a gaming headset, with a slightly ornate design featuring a red and black theme. The design of the HyperX Cloud II headset was much more subtle and probably would appeal to a larger market when compared to the HyperX Cloud Revolver.
The construction of this headset does feel solid, but the steel frame is also one of the shortcomings of this headset. The steel frame, when bumped or brushed up against, directly translates the sound into the cans (ear cups). The free floating headband, while not a new idea, does have it’s own problems as well. I have a large head, and when wearing the headset, I found that the band kept the bottom of the cans pushed up against the bottom of my ears. After a few hours, I started to feel pressure points on the bottom of my ears. However, this may improve over time as my ears adjust and as the memory foam adjusts. The “springyness” of the headband may subside as well the more it is used. The braided cable, as with all gaming type gear, is always a welcomed addition to any piece of equipment.
When considering the headset’s functionality, I focused on the fact it is meant to be a “gaming” headset and not a “audiophile” headphone. In terms of gaming, with it’s 50mm directional drivers, it performs very well. In terms of anything else, it falls short. If you’re a bass and drum kind of music listener, then you’ll really notice that this headset has little to no bass. Even when utilizing artificial equalizer enhancements, the Cloud Revolver headset could not perform to my satisfaction. It is worth noting, that the 50mm directional drivers in the Cloud Revolver performed better than the 7.1 channel found in the Cloud II’s DSP in terms of directional sound.
In terms of value, and considering that the current online price of $119.99 (Amazon | NewEgg), the price is just too high for the limitations you’re inheriting with this headset. If the headset was in the $85-$95 price range, then it would be a decent value. Considering that it only performs well as a gaming headset, and that the older and better all around Cloud II can be had for around $95, the HyperX Cloud Revolver is really more of a niche product or for those seeking excellent directional sound for gaming at the expense of music/video sound.
No headset can please everyone, and the HyperX Cloud Revolver will only please gamers seeking directional sound. That being said, I would recommend anyone wanting very nice directional sound for gaming or possibly VR purposes to consider the HyperX Cloud Revolver, especially if the actual price when released ends up being below $100.
+ Soft, comfortable ear cups
+ Clear mids, regardless of volume
+ Directional drivers work very well
+ In-line remote (audio control box)
+ Lightweight
+ Durable
+ Multi-device support
+ Detachable microphone
+ Circumaural, closed back design
– Tinny sound during music/video playback
– Medium sized headband, not comfortable for larger heads due to depth limit
– Steel frame very noisy and translates directly to the cans
– Microphone not sensitive enough and subject to explosions and popping
– Price
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Performance: 8.50
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Appearance: 9.25
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Construction: 8.50
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Functionality: 9.50
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Value: 8.00
Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award.
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