HyperX Cloud II Wireless Headset Review

November 8, 2021

The Cloud II Wireless is pretty self-explanatory, it’s the wireless version of HyperX’s Cloud II headset, which is priced around AU $159 at Australian retailers right now. The Cloud II Wireless is a bit of a step up in terms of price, coming in at AU $299 for the convenience of going wire-free. However, while it might be pricey, the Cloud II Wireless still proves to be a solid choice for a gaming headset, that fits the bill in both comfort and quality.

Fit, Feel and Design

The Cloud II Wireless is definitely made of more premium materials than the previous generation of Cloud Wireless headsets, with ear-cups covered in brushed aluminium, which continues all across the frame, making it feel very durable, while flexible. The headband has really comfy faux-leather lining, as well as large, soft cushioning on the ear-cups that completely encloses your ears. The whole thing grips onto your head firmly, and the ear-cups do have adjustable heights, although the marks which indicate the length are on the inside of the headband.

There is no lighting, RGB or otherwise, on most of the headset with the sole exceptions of the power button, and a cute little red ring of LED light which surrounds the detachable microphone, which activates when the mic is set to mute. When attached the microphone arm sticks out quite a way and is quite bendy and adjustable, but doesn’t fold away at all, meaning you’ll need to disconnect it entirely if you don’t intend on using it at all.

In terms of controls, there’s an on/off switch which doubles as a toggle for HyperX’s 7.1 virtualisation (but no indicator to show which mode you’re in), a mute button and volume knob. The lack of any external indicator for the 7.1 sound is a bit of a bummer, especially when using the headset on PS5, where you absolutely shouldn’t be stacking the PS5’s 3D audio with HyperX’s virtual surround sound, but it can be difficult to hear which mode you’re in depending on the game you’re playing.

Connections

The HyperX Cloud II Wireless’ connection is over a low-latency 2.4Ghz connection, tethered via a HyperX USB dongle. The USB will work on PC, as well as PS4, PS5 and the Switch’s console dock, making the headset pretty versatile for a range of systems. The headset has a USB-C port for charging, which gets the headset to full power in under a couple of hours. There is no 3.5mm audio connection, however, which means that compatibility isn’t complete as it could have been.

Audio Performance

This is where the Cloud II Wireless puts in a real solid performance, with 52mm drivers behind powerful audio which sounds great in just about every game. In standard stereo use, sound effects like gunshots in Metro Exodus are crisp and clear, while ambient music was conveyed accurately in my playthrough of Disco Elysium. Turning on the virtual 7.1 surround sound adds a bit more depth to the sound, with some convincing positioning when talking to characters around you inĀ Guardians of the Galaxy, but it also sounds kind of nice with powerful epic music like Two Steps From Hell, where it adds a kind of epic vibrational layer to the sound. It can only go so far, as it is only virtual, and doesn’t offer quite the same surround capability that you’d get from a proper 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup, but it does add a bit more of a layer to your standard stereo experience.

Generally, whatever you throw at the Cloud II Wireless, it’s able to handle and reproduce faithfully and accurately. While it’s no substitute for proper monitoring headphones, for general entertainment, music and game use they’re a great solution that you can comfortably rely on for whatever you’re listening to, and the ability to switch on the 7.1 virtual surround to see if it makes a difference at any time, is pretty neat.

Battery

The Cloud II Wireless, much like the earlier Cloud models we’ve reviewed, has great battery life, extending to around 30 hours of normal use. They’re the kind of headset you can just pick up and be reasonably confident they have enough juice for whatever session you have in mind, and the charging time with USB-C is reasonable enough to not put them out of action for long.

Microphone Performance

The headset’s microphone is serviceable, and about standard for a mic that size attached to a headset. As long as the mic is properly placed, it’s fine for chat, whether it’s over Discord or Zoom, but it does sound a little thin and not especially high quality when compared to the audio you’d get out of a proper XLR or USB separate microphone, like HyperX’s own Quadcast for instance. For streaming or most professional uses where voice quality is a priority, the Cloud II Wireless’ microphone probably isn’t appropriate, but for chatting with mates and games it’s fine.

Overall

The HyperX Cloud II Wireless is a great, solid and dependable companion for any PC gamer’s setup, with great battery life and a solid soundstage. The 7.1 virtual surround sound that can be activated at any time with the push of a button works well in many games, and the headset’s compatibility with Switch and PlayStation consoles is also appreciated. At AU $299, it’s competing with wireless virtual 7.1 products like EPOS’ GSP 670 and the Logitech G PRO X, and in the line-up it provides a dependable and comfortable solution. If you can find it cheaper, as a quick search on Amazon and a few other online shops during this review revealed a few tempting sales, then it’s an excellent deal for a great all-rounder headset solution.

Positives:

-Comfortable, yet solid, made out of really nice materials
-Great audio, simulated 7.1 channel surround
-Impressive battery life
-Works straight out of the box with PS5, PS4 and Switch

Negatives:

-For serious streaming, you'll still want a separate microphone
-No audio 3.5mm connector

Overall Score: