Hardly anyone who hasn't heard of HyperX's cloud headsets. The brand has earned a good reputation over the years, mainly thanks to good sound and robust workmanship at fairly moderate prices. Now there is also a bestial battery life of up to 300 hours. Is that possible? And above all: at what price?
The HyperX Cloud Alpha as a series has been around for a while. What is new, however, is the wireless version, which is available for a whopping 229.99 euros. Kling curses a lot for a HyperX headset and makes us frown at first. What's so special about it shooting into the higher price ranges of gaming headsets and being quite expensive even in the wireless sector?
From a purely visual point of view, there are initially no significant differences to other HyperX headsets. The dark red metal bracket holds two well-padded ear cups and looks very robust. Just as you are used to from the manufacturer. The weight is quite moderate at 335 grams and is well absorbed by the soft padding, which is covered with artificial leather so that overall it is comfortable to wear even during longer sessions.
HyperX does not go into great experiments with the design and relies on the tried and tested. Why not? The controls are uncluttered for a wireless headset and are limited to volume controls (right) and power button, mute button, and ports (left). However, it is noticeable that there are no alternative connection options apart from the included USB dongle and the short USB-C charging cable. And indeed: the Cloud Alpha Wireless can only be operated with a dongle. Jack or even BlueTooth are nil. A bit weak for the price range.
This allows the headset to be operated on the PC as well as on Playstation 4 or 5, whereby the full list of features can only be covered on the PC. The supported DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio is only effective via the Ngenuity software, the same applies to the software's setting options such as volume, mic monitoring, EQ presets or lighting. After all, there are a whopping seven quite usable presets in the software, which can also be changed. You can also create and save your own presets. The headset is therefore primarily for PC gamers who may still have a Playstation as a second device at home.
Incidentally, on the left is the connection for the detachable microphone, which conveniently comes with a foam pop filter. Thanks to the wire mesh microphone arm, it can be positioned easily and securely. In terms of sound, it serves its purpose. It certainly doesn't belong in the top league of headset microphones, but it does allow for easily understandable and undistorted speech transmission. At the price, it could have been a bit higher quality, the frequency range is a bit meager at 50 to 7,200 Hz.
The real highlight of the headset is the battery life. While most manufacturers still flaunt numbers over 20 hours, HyperX really lets it rip and states up to 300 hours. Of course, the number only applies at moderate volume and less demanding sound feeding, but it currently represents one of the longest runtimes that can be obtained from a headset.
The headset doesn't last that long under normal conditions of use with games, music and movies, but 180 to 200 hours are quite possible even with extreme use. The only question is whether you really need it for a headset that is primarily used stationary on a PC and maybe also a console, where the USB port and charging cable are actually always within reach. But certainly not bad as a gimmick and marketing statement.
In terms of sound, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless cannot be faulted either. As is usual with the series, a double-chamber system with two membranes each is used in the ear cups, so that the frequencies of high/mid and bass remain separate and the membrane vibration of the bass does not have a negative impact on the highs and mids. The frequency range of the drivers is slightly above average at 15 to 21,000 Hz.
The sound of the HyperX Cloud Alpha delivers a wide stage that ensures good directional perception. The sound is a bit bass-heavy, as is often the case with gaming headsets. The highs could be a bit more present but still come through cleanly. Thanks to the equalizer, it is quite possible to create a better sound image and to exploit the headset's potential more, or to adapt it to your taste. The presets (Balanced, Bass Boost / Cut, Treble Boost / Cut, Voice, and Gaming) are quite successful and can also be edited.
Overall, the result is a rich, powerful gaming sound with good spatial effects, especially with the switchable DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio, which at least approximately justifies the overall high price of the headset. It is pleasant that the rich sound does not have any unpleasant sharpness, but caresses the ears in a quite balanced way.
CONCLUSION
A bit too expensive battery monster
Even if the battery life of up to 300 hours is more of a marketing statement than reality, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless easily places itself at the top of current battery life and easily manages around 200 hours or more - depending on use. In addition, the headset is comfortable and robust, easy to adjust thanks to easy-to-use software (only on the PC) and it sounds good. Strong bass, solid mids and highs, and lots of presets and optimization options - what more could you want.
However, given that the microphone serves its purpose but doesn't shine and the limited connectivity options (no jack or Bluetooth alternatives), the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is overpriced for what it can do. Especially since the question arises as to whether you even need the long battery life given that the headset is best kept on the PC.
Pros
- good wearing comfort
- robust processing
- brutally long battery life monsters
- good, rich sound
- good spatial sound and good directional perception
- easy-to-use software with overall good setting options (DTS, EQ, Mic)
Cons
- no alternative connection options (jack, BT)
- Charging cable is very short
- mediocre microphone
- too expensive for what is provided
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