HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Gaming Headset Review

By Olin Coles

Manufacturer: Kingston Technology Corporation
Product Name: HyperX Limited Edition Cloud Alpha Gold Pro Gaming Headset
Model Number: HX-HSCA-GD (Gold) HX-HSCA-RD (Red)
UPC: 740617273281
Price As Tested: $99.99 (Amazon | Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Kingston Technology.

Once upon a time, gaming headsets were the simple combination of a short microphone to audio headphones. While music playback offered comparable sound quality, the finer attributes of a true gaming headset were lost. Over time, the microphone was tuned for voice recording while suppressing outside noise, and the headphone drivers were specially designed for directional sound present in video games. Well into its gold age, gaming headsets are truly the tool for serious eSports competitors by making game audio performance the primary requirement.

In this review for Benchmark Reviews, we test the Gold Limited Edition 3.5mm analog multi-platform HyperX Cloud Alpha pro gaming headset by Kingston Technology for PC, PS4, Xbox One. Featuring a dual chamber design that separates bass tones from mid level and highs, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold headset promises more distinction and less distortion from gaming sounds. A detachable noise-cancelling microphone designed for Discord and TeamSpeak ensure easy integration without compatibility issues suffered from some headsets.

Cloud Alpha Features & Specifications

Courtesy Kingston Technology:

HyperX Cloud Alpha’s groundbreaking Dual Chamber Drivers design will give your audio more distinction and clarity by reducing the distortion. The dual chambers separate the bass from the mids and highs, allowing optimal tuning for cleaner, smoother sound. The Cloud Alpha headset builds upon HyperX’s foundation of signature award-winning comfort with premium memory foam, expanded headband and softer, more pliable leatherette. The durable aluminum frame can take the rigors of daily play, and per player request, Cloud Alpha also features a tough, detachable braided cable. The detachable noise-cancellation microphone is certified by Discord and TeamSpeak, ensuring you’ll have great team communication. It’s also multi-platform compatible with in-line audio controls, so serious gamers on PC, PS4, Xbox One and other platforms with a 3.5mm port will benefit from the bold sound of the Cloud Alpha evolution.

HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers for more distinction and less distortion
Signature Award-Winning HyperX comfort
Durable aluminum frame with expanded headband
Detachable braided cable with convenient in-line audio control
Detachable noise cancellation microphone
Discord and TeamSpeak Certified
Multi-platform compatibility

Headphone

Driver: Custom dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type: Circumaural, closed back
Frequency response: 13Hz–27,000Hz
Impedance: 65 Ω
Sound pressure level: 98dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
T.H.D.: < 1%
Weight: 298g
Weight with mic & cable: 336g
Cable length and type: Detachable headset cable (1.3m) + PC extension cable (2m)
Connection: Detachable headset cable – 3.5mm plug (4 pole) + PC extension cable – 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs

Microphone

Element: Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern: Noise-cancelling
Frequency response: 50Hz-18,000Hz
Sensitivity: -43dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)

HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Overview

Technically identical to Kingston’s Cloud Alpha pro gaming headset, the Limited Edition Gold Cloud Alpha version is available only in USA, and only while supplies last. As of May 2018, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold gaming headset was available online for $99.99 (Amazon | Newegg).

The retail gaming headset kit contains the Cloud Alpha Gold headphone, detachable microphone, 1.3-meter detachable headset cable, 2-meter PC extension cable, and microfiber carry bag.

Color is the only difference between the standard red HyperX Cloud Alpha and the Limited Edition Gold pro gaming headset. On Cloud Alpha Gold, the aluminum frame, cup logo, and headband stitching receive the gold treatment.

Cloud Alpha features a removable (detachable) noise cancelling microphone that plugs into the left ear cup using a 3.5mm audio plug. The flexible coated metal arm can be manipulated and positioned for maximum comfort.

HyperX has utilized a durable aluminum frame on Cloud Alpha to affix each ear cup to the adjustable headband. This frame connects at the mid-line points on the front and back of each cup, allowing for a central axis point for the cup to tilt and properly contour to the head.

Stitched with gold-colored thread, the expandable ‘leatherette’ headband on HyperX Cloud Alpha flexes with little resistance, and the memory foam offers incredibly soft padding to comfortably support the weight of the headset.

Further promoting long periods of comfortable use, the ear cups offer the same comfortable soft memory foam padding. This makes it possible to use eyewear with Cloud Alpha for extended playing periods without discomfort.

In the next section, I’ll go into deeper detail with the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Gaming Headset…

HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Detailed Features

Cloud Alpha utilizes a component arrangement of connections. The headphones receive the microphone through a 3.5 mm port in the left ear cup. The audio cord, available in two segments, also connects into that same ear cup.

HyperX have designed the Cloud Alpha series of gaming headsets to be compatible with practically all gaming platforms featuring a 3.5 mm audio port, such as PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

For systems featuring a single TRRS/CTIA 4-pole audio port that combines speakers and microphone into a single plug, such as a notebook PC, PS4 controllers, or Xbox One controllers, a 1.3-meter (4′ 3″) primary cable is used.

When a PC with individual headphone and microphone ports is used, HyperX includes a 2-meter (6′ 7″) secondary cord segment that extended the primary cable and terminates into separate headphone and microphone jacks.

HyperX has generously provided gamers with one of the most durable cords I’ve seen offered on a headset. The cord features a tightly braided nylon sheath that brings the overall thickness to 4 mm (0.16″). When connected, the cord measures 11.7 feet long, combined. By comparison, other headsets offer a 3 mm (0.12″) loosely braided cord.

An in-line audio control is located approximately 15-inches down the primary cable, featuring a 14 mm output volume adjustment wheel and 10 mm mechanical switch to mute the microphone.

While Cloud Alpha utilizes a single 50mm driver, the strong neodymium magnet allows for a frequency response from 13Hz up to 27kHz at 65 Ω impedance. HyperX tunes the frequency emphasis by utilizing a ported dual-chamber design to help in separate the bass, midtone, and high frequency sounds.

In the next section, I share my test results with HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold…

Cloud Alpha Gold Testing & Results

Testing Methodology

For this review project, I used resources from audiocheck.net to experience the technical limits of Cloud Alpha. In addition to their pre-compiled test files, AudioCheck also offers user-built custom files for download. We have assembled some test signals for comparison at our AudioCheck Tone Tests page.

In addition to specific sound frequency response range tests, I also played several PC video games with the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold gaming headset, such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Test System

Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M7 (Intel Socket LGA 1151 Chipset)
Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0 GHz Skylake CPU
System Memory: 32GB (2x 16GB) Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2400MHz C14
M.2 NVME Storage HBA: Integrated Intel Z170 Controller
SATA Storage HBA: Integrated Intel Z170 Controller
- Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver 15.9.0.1015
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit

Frequency Response Test Results

Listening to the 10Hz-200Hz Frequency Response test file, I could hear all low (bass) frequency ranges. In a custom built low-range file, I could hear frequencies down to 8Hz. This outperforms the HyperX specification of 13Hz.

Listening to the 22kHz-8kHz Frequency Response test file, I only heard high (treble) frequency ranges from 8kHz up to 16kHz. In a custom built high-range file I could hear frequencies up to 17 kHz, but not beyond. HyperX advertises Cloud Alpha to reach up to 27kHz, which might be possible, but 18kHz-27kHz tones were not audible to my ears.

Driver Impedance Rating

When it comes to an audio speaker, often referred to as a driver, lower power impedance essentially means a lower resistance toward accepting power, which in turn yields higher possible volume levels. In many cases, lower impedance also translates into a driver designed and manufactured with better engineering precision.

The 50mm drivers used in Cloud Alpha are rated for 65 Ω impedance, which is higher than most other headsets we’ve tested. For example, the Bloody M660P headset we tested is rated for a mere 16Ω impedance. The HyperX Cloud Revolver is specified for 30 Ω impedance. The Gamdias HEPHAESTUS P1 and GAMDIAS Hephaestus v2 are both rated for 32Ω, as are the Corsair HS50 and Corsair Void Pro.

Having a high impedance does not necessarily mean that sound quality suffers, but it does mean less frequency precision at volume output due to higher input resistance. There is less demand for power precision when it comes to a gaming headset, compared to say, a pair of high-end headphones for listening to music.

Gaming Results

Using the latest Realtek HD Audio CODEC driver (version 2.82), I tested the HyperX Cloud Alpha headset by playing games such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Cloud Alpha is a 2-channel gaming headset, which relies on game and driver software for positional audio reference. Although the Binaural Test was impressive on any headset (worth a try if you’re wearing headphones), Cloud Alpha did not offer any distinct advantage for positional sound compared to other stereo headsets. In fact, it was the opposite.

Using a recorded scene, I tested several headsets for directional sound tracking. With Cloud Alpha, there were occasions where I could not tell whether the gunshot sounds were coming from in front or behind my position. If you are a gamer that demands the highest detail of directional sound to give you an edge over others in games such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, then I recommend a headset with spatial surround (virtual surround sound) software for tuning output, or a true 7.1 gaming headset.

On a separate but related note, Cloud Alpha’s component microphone produced clear audio when microphone boost was reduced to zero (0.0 dB). With microphone boost enabled within Windows 10 Sound Properties, there was an audible hiss that increased with each added level. Additionally, this same hiss will be present if Noise Suppression is not enabled in enhancement properties.

Pro Gaming Headset Final Thoughts

Many competitive FPS games rely on sound to detect and locate enemy presence. This is especially important in games such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. where a player gets one chance to survive the round or start over. To the credit of HyperX, the dual-chamber design does assist in separating the three frequency tones for better clarification, but an analog 2-channel stereo headset with no spatial sound (virtual surround) features or output tuning software is no match for digital headset that offers these features.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Conclusion

The first area we rate is performance, which compares how well the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Edition gaming headset stacks up against the competition. In my testing, the specified 13Hz low frequency limit was exceeded, allowing me to hear frequencies down to 8Hz. In gaming performance tests, Cloud Alpha did not offer any distinct advantage for positional sound in comparison to other stereo headsets. In fact, there were occasions where I could not tell whether the gunshot sounds were coming from in front or behind my position.

Appearance is subjective, as everybody has their own sense of style or favorite color. This limited ‘Gold’ edition of the standard Cloud Alpha with red color accents helps to separate its user from the pack, but in my opinion the dull finish appears more bronze than a glimmering gold. Overall, though, Cloud Alpha offers pleasing aesthetics.

Construction is an area where HyperX has spent considerable design effort to ensure a durable product. The 4 mm cord is immune to typical wear and tear, and is of the highest quality we’ve seen on a gaming headset. The aluminum frame lends strength to the expandable headband, and the flexible microphone arm is unlikely to ever snap. The cord and microphone both plug into the ear cup via 3.5 mm port, so everything is component replaceable.

In terms of functionality, Cloud Alpha has some hits and misses. I really liked the dual-chamber design, which helps the driver to separate out the low, mid, and high-frequency sounds for better definition at each range. The padded memory foam headband and ear cups are so soft that it might be possible to wear Cloud Alpha indefinitely without discomfort. That being said, the volume control unit was less sophisticated than others, and the mute button was difficult to find without searching it out. Additionally, there was no clip on the in-line control module, so it’s relegated to dangling somewhere along this lengthy cord that measures nearly 12 feet long.

As of May 2018, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold headset was available online for $99.99 (Amazon | Newegg). This is expensive compared to other 2-channel analog gaming headsets, but not terribly so when you consider the quality and features HyperX have added. There are plenty of upgrade components and replacement parts offered, potentially extending the useful life of Cloud Alpha.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the comfort and clarity of Cloud Alpha, especially because this gaming headset offers high definition sound while listening to music that is comparable to premium headphones. On the other hand, directional sound, a feature I personally consider mandatory for a “Pro Gaming Headset”, suffers with only two channels. If PUBG and CS:GO are your primary use for a gaming headset, then consider a digital surround sound solution.

Pros:

+ High-quality 4mm braided cord
+ Extremely comfortable headband/ear cup padding
+ Good sound separation from dual-chamber design
+ Modular detachable components
+ Unique ‘gold’ color scheme
+ TRRS/CTIA cross-platform support

Cons:

– Lacks clip to attach cord/controls to clothing
– No spatial sound tuning or virtual surround software
– Small in-line control module

Ratings:

Performance: 8.75
Appearance: 9.25
Construction: 9.25
Functionality: 8.25
Value: 8.25

Final Score: 8.75 out of 10.

Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: What gaming headset do you use?