HyperX, Kingston’s gaming division, is renowned for the immensely popular Cloud II headphones, a common sight in electronics retailers. While the Cloud II represents a solid audio solution for gamers at its price point, the Cloud Revolver S offers an enhanced experience. Released in 2017 as an upgraded iteration of the HyperX Cloud Revolver, the Cloud Revolver S remains a relevant contender in today’s market, and we’re addressing our readers’ requests by putting it to the test. This model features a dedicated sound card, a USB dongle incorporating a DSP processor with circuitry for Dolby 7.1 surround sound. In this review, we assess the audio fidelity of the Cloud Revolver S and evaluate its competitive advantages.
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Design
HyperX maintains a consistently high standard of design, although their aesthetic may not always achieve the ultimate level of refinement. While some may find SteelSeries products to have a slightly more elegant, albeit potentially more plasticky, feel, the Cloud Revolver S prioritizes functionality and durability appropriate for gaming headphones, designed for immersive gameplay rather than everyday wear. The headphones feature a steel headband coupled with a smooth, comfortable elastic band that conforms to the user’s head. The earcups are generously padded with HyperX’s proprietary memory foam and wrapped in faux leather, providing a comfortable and breathable fit.
Cloud Revolver S = Comfort
The Cloud Revolver S excels in comfort, positioning itself among the most comfortable headphones we have evaluated. Its design facilitates extended use with minimal fatigue, comparable to the Plantronics RIG 800. While the Revolver S is slightly heavier and exhibits a more premium build quality with its choice of materials, the airy earcups maintain excellent sound proximity. Throughout our testing, the pressure exerted on the user’s head and ears remained consistently comfortable, even during prolonged use.
Sound Quality and Surround
As is typical with HyperX, the sound quality is commendable. The incorporation of 50mm drivers enhances bass response and widens the soundstage. The headphones provide an exceptional gaming experience, convincingly reproducing complex soundscapes with elements such as wind, rain, and music, alongside clear and impactful dialogue, as demonstrated in The Witcher 3. Furthermore, testing with the Final Fantasy VII-remake demo on PS4 yielded an immersive, warm, and potent soundscape that felt more expansive than our wired Audio-Technica ADG1X reference headphones.
The headphones perform admirably with music, though they do not directly compete with dedicated hi-fi headphones. The larger drivers emphasize bass frequencies, which can result in a slightly less precise response compared to more streamlined designs. The headphones perform exceptionally well with well-mixed singer-songwriter tracks, such as Aimee Mann‘s Wise Up (It’s not going to stop) from the film Magnolia. However, electronic music featuring prominent bass lines, exemplified by The Knife‘s Silent Shout, may suffer from a slight sluggishness in the bass reproduction.
The included sound card with Dolby chip yields mixed results. The USB dongle exhibits seamless compatibility across various platforms (Mac, PS4, PC) and functions as both a DSP (digital signal processor/sound card, akin to the Sound Blaster Play! 3) and a Dolby 7.1 surround sound toggle. The effectiveness of the Dolby 7.1 processing varied considerably. In Gears of War 5 (on PC), we observed enhanced positional audio cues, particularly in the directionality of gunfire, while speech clarity diminished. In adventure games like Broken Sword (which lacks a dedicated surround sound mix), the effect introduced a metallic and echoing quality, with the added noise from the Dolby processor detracting from the experience. In these scenarios, the standard audio mode proved superior.
Overall, the headphones deliver impressive sound quality, especially considering their primary gaming application. However, the necessity of the DSP/surround effect is debatable.
The microphone, while somewhat bulky and rigid, performs adequately, providing clear and distinct audio in-game. Its detachable design is a welcome feature, mitigating the inconvenience of its size.
Final Verdict – HyperX Revolver S
As stated, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S produces excellent audio for gaming. However, its key strength lies not in the surround function or sound card, but in its exceptional comfort, positioning it as one of the most comfortable gaming headsets currently available for extended gaming sessions (among wired models). The headphones also achieve a favorable rating for music playback. The USB dongle for DSP and surround processing offers variable performance, contingent on the specific game, and is not considered an essential component. We found ourselves frequently using the headphones without the dongle, and for additional power, we preferred the Sound Blaster Play! 3, which is now available at a very accessible price point. The price of the Revolver S is justifiable, if slightly high for a wired headset. A close competitor is the Steelseries Arctis 7, which offers comparable sound quality at a slightly lower price and includes wireless connectivity, in a somewhat more refined design. However, the Revolver S provides superior comfort. Therefore, the choice depends on individual priorities: if wireless connectivity is not a requirement, the Revolver S is a well-performing and exceptionally comfortable option for extended gaming, warranting serious consideration for gamers seeking new headphones. We offer a strong recommendation. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a final boss to defeat…
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