By Jason Vaught
Manufacturer: Kingston Technology Corporation
Product Name: HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Gaming Headset
Model Number: HX-HSCR-GM
UPC: 740617272154
Price As Tested: $119.99 (Amazon | NewEgg)Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Kingston.
Kingston has released another studio-grade HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset, the Cloud Revolver Gunmetal. On the surface, one would think the only difference is the color. However, during the review I’ve discovered some other slight differences that change the dynamics of this headset. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I’m going to be putting the Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Headset through it’s paces, and compare it directly to it’s predecessor, the original HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset.
- 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
In this section, we take a look at the HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Gaming Headset, model HX-HSCR-GM. Cloud Revolver Gunmetal is currently selling online for $119.99 (Amazon | NewEgg). Let’s have a brief overview of what the HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Headset is all about…
Inside the HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal 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 Gunmetal utilizes an in-line audio control box that splits the 4-pole connector in to two separate 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 Gunmetal Headset is almost identical to the original revolver headset, with one key difference, there is a rubber grommet between the forks. This rubber grommet helps absorb the vibrations generated by the metal frame. This helps negate the tuning fork effect I experienced during my review of the first Cloud Revolver headset.
Just like the original revolver headset, the gunmetal variant 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.
Now we’ll take a closer look at some of the detailed features that the HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Headset has to offer.
One of the signature features of the HyperX headsets is the removable microphone. It is also worth noting that the microphone on the Cloud Revolver Gunmetal does not feature a wind sock like it’s headset brethren.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal headset utilizes a two piece cord to facilitate it’s functions with multiple devices. When using the Cloud Revolver Gunmetal 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.
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 Gunmetal Headset features a unique design combined with a steel frame. The steel frame feels durable, lightweight, and through the use of rubber grommets, no longer has that annoying tuning fork effect the original Cloud Revolver had. The original Cloud Revolver was noisy when sitting on your head, basically turning the steel bars into tuning forks that translate directly to the ear cups when bumped. With the addition of these rubber grommets, that effect is negated.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal 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 Skype, Teamspeak, Discord. Ghost Recon Wildlands, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege for 30+ hours respectively.
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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: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FTW3 Gaming
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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 be less “tinny” than the first Revolver headset, but still a little lacking in bass.
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 Gunmetal 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 Gunmetal is no different in that aspect, just like the original Cloud Revolver. But as a gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal performs well, providing good directional sound clarity and crisp, clear mids.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal focuses 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 Gunmetal 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 some 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, I like the black and white of this headset better than the original Cloud Revolver’s red and black theme. This design is much more subtle and probably would appeal to a larger market when compared to the original HyperX Cloud Revolver.
The construction of this headset does feel solid, and while the steel frame of the previous Cloud Revolver was a shortcoming, it has been negated in this Gunmetal version by use of rubber grommets at the base of the frame’s forks on each side of the headset. On the original Cloud Revolver, the steel frame, when bumped or brushed up against, directly translated the sound into the cans (ear cups). The addition of the rubber grommets has negated this negative side effect. The free floating headband does have the same problem as the original Cloud Revolver, being just a little too small for my head. 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 “springiness” 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 Gunmetal headset could not perform to my satisfaction.
In terms of value, and considering that the current online price of $119.99 (Amazon | NewEgg), the price is reasonable considering it no longer has the tuning fork effect of the original Revolver headset. However, considering that it only performs well as a gaming headset, it still loses some value in my opinion.
No headset can please everyone, and the HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal 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 Gunmetal.
+ 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 (could possibly be negated given time)
– Microphone subject to explosions and popping
– Price
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Performance: 9.00
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Appearance: 9.25
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Construction: 9.00
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Functionality: 9.50
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Value: 8.50
