HyperX has a protracted historical past of growing high-quality but very inexpensive gaming headsets. We reviewed the unique HyperX Cloud Stinger headset again in 2017, and located that it provided nice worth for cash. Now, nevertheless, HyperX is again with a refresh — the HyperX Cloud Stinger wi-fi headset.
The headset will not be fairly as low-cost because the wired model of the HyperX Cloud Stinger — nevertheless it’s nonetheless very inexpensive. Does it compromise an excessive amount of to satisfy that value level? We put the 2019 HyperX Cloud Stinger to the check to search out out
Design
The HyperX Cloud Stinger wi-fi headset seems like a gaming headset, nevertheless it’s very refined. In contrast to earlier variations of the headset, the Cloud Stinger does away with any purple accents in favor of an all-black design — and it’s not a foul look. Certain, it’s not all that fascinating — nevertheless it’s nonetheless not a foul look generally.
On the left ear cup, you’ll get an influence button, a MicroUSB port for charging, and the microphone. We’re a little bit pissed off that HyperX went for a MicroUSB port right here — in 2019, it’s time to undertake USB-C. On the precise ear cup, there’s a quantity wheel, and it’s very fast and straightforward to entry, which is a pleasant contact. There’s one factor lacking, and that’s an aux port. In different phrases, this headset is solely for wi-fi use — you possibly can’t plug this headset in to make use of in wired mode.
The construct high quality of the headset is fairly good too. The headset is essentially constructed from plastic, however there’s steel the place it counts — like within the body. We by no means felt just like the headset was on the point of breaking, and when you might actually break it your self in case you needed, generally the headset ought to be capable of face up to most day-to-day abuse.
Other than the headset itself, within the field you’ll get a MicroUSB charging cable and a wi-fi dongle to make use of the headset together with your pc, Swap, or PS4 — so you possibly can’t simply use the headset with Bluetooth in your cellphone.
Consolation
The HyperX Cloud Stinger could be very snug — and that’s excellent news for people who plan on utilizing their headset for a number of hours at a time. That’s to not say that it’s good — however there may be loads of padding within the ear cups and beneath the scarf, and that helps make for a typically snug expertise.
That stated, the clamp of the headset is a little bit tight, and whereas you’ll get used to it, the padding isn’t fairly as snug as what you’ll discover, for instance, on the SteelSeries Arctis sequence of headsets.
Sound
In the long run, an important factor to think about is how the HyperX Cloud Stinger sounds — and fortunately, it sounds nice. It’s not good, however the wi-fi Cloud Stinger is without doubt one of the better-sounding gaming headsets on this value vary.
The low-end, for starters, is comparatively tight. It doesn’t go excessive, which headphones usually do as of late, as a substitute providing a managed bass that reacts when it must. We’d have appreciated a bit extra low-end extension, however the bass remains to be heavy sufficient for many use.
The mid vary has a barely totally different tuning to it, however that’s not essentially a foul factor. The low mids are heat and current, whereas there appears to be a slight minimize within the excessive mids. Usually, we just like the strikes made.
The excessive finish is fairly good, however not unbelievable. A bit of extra element and presence within the excessive finish would have been appreciated. Nonetheless, you’ll get a great quantity of readability when wanted, and that’s excellent news for players who wish to benefit from the finer particulars.
The soundstage on the headset is ok for one thing on this value vary, however nothing particular.
Microphone
The microphone on the HyperX Cloud Stinger can be high-quality for many in-game use, nevertheless it’s most likely not high-quality sufficient for issues like podcasts or Let’s Play movies. Sound is in the end compressed fairly a bit, nevertheless the actual fact is that your teammates ought to hear you completely high-quality.
Efficiency
The HyperX Cloud Stinger doesn’t merely use Bluetooth for connectivity, as a substitute connecting by way of the included dongle. Due to that, the headset isn’t essentially ready to connect with your cellphone or different Bluetooth units, nevertheless it does retain a fairly good connection all through gameplay. That’s at all times useful — there’s nothing worse than lag when you’re enjoying a sport, and it’s vital to have a great connection. We by no means skilled any main skips or jumps throughout gameplay or whereas listening.
Conclusions
The 2019 HyperX Cloud Stinger is a worthy successor to the unique Cloud Stinger, providing fairly good sound high quality and good wi-fi efficiency at an inexpensive value.
However is the headset actually the perfect wi-fi gaming headset beneath $100? Effectively, not precisely. The very fact is that we reside in a world with SteelSeries, and the SteelSeries Arctis three Bluetooth is at the moment accessible for beneath $100. Alternatively, in case you don’t want wi-fi connectivity, you possibly can go for the even-better SteelSeries Arctis 5.
That stated, when you’re most likely higher off going for a SteelSeries headset, the 2019 HyperX Cloud Stinger remains to be a terrific providing — and as such we’re awarding it the Headphone Evaluation Bronze Medal.