In January of last year, I reviewed the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless from HyperX. These headphones garnered significant praise for their commendable audio quality and exceptional value proposition. Consequently, the arrival of its successor, the Cloud Alpha Wireless, prompted considerable anticipation regarding its performance relative to the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless.
Upon unboxing the Cloud Alpha Wireless, the enhanced build quality is immediately apparent, justifying the higher price point. The headphones exhibit a robust construction and a sophisticated aesthetic, a notable departure from the more plastic-like feel of the Core model. The earcups feature a sleek, matte black finish accented with vibrant red steel details. Memory foam cushions ensure optimal comfort and conform to the user’s ear and head shape. The headband is generously padded and crafted from leather, subtly embossed with the HyperX logo.
The detachable microphone is easily adjustable. The included pop filter effectively minimizes disruptive popping sounds (a common annoyance in online gaming). A dedicated button on the left earcup provides convenient microphone muting. The power button is also located on the same side, with a tactile difference facilitating easy differentiation. The volume control is positioned on the right earcup.
The unit arrived fully charged. Upon connecting the dongle to the computer, a voice prompt confirms the headset’s power status, connection, and battery level (100%). The manufacturer claims a battery life of three hundred (300) hours. During the evaluation period, which included extensive usage for both movies and gaming, the battery exhibited minimal depletion, confirming the exceptional battery performance.
While the aforementioned features are noteworthy, the primary consideration for any headset is its audio fidelity. Initial testing involved movie playback on a Macbook Pro. The inclusion of DTS HeadphoneX Spatial Audio aims to create an immersive, three-dimensional soundscape. The surround sound performance proved to be particularly impressive. Playback of the climactic battle sequence in Avengers: Endgame showcased the headset’s excellent soundstage and impactful bass response, resulting in a highly enjoyable experience for both dialogue and action sequences.
The Cloud Alpha Wireless is not compatible with Xbox due to USB audio transmission limitations. However, it functions seamlessly with Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and PC. Subsequent testing involved online gameplay of Evil Dead: The Game. The audio transmission remained stable and free from lag or other anomalies, likely due to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection. The simulated surround sound further enhanced the gaming experience. The headset’s comfort was also commendable, despite being slightly heavier than other models tested.
The Cloud Alpha Wireless does exhibit some limitations. The lack of wireless pairing via Bluetooth restricts its versatility and compatibility with devices such as phones and the Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, the inclusion of a USB-C dongle without a standard USB-A adapter is somewhat unconventional. Given its intended use with modern laptops, an adapter for legacy USB-A ports, common on platforms like the Playstation, would have been a more practical design choice.
In conclusion, the Cloud Alpha Wireless from HyperX offers exceptional battery life, impressive audio performance, and a comfortable design. However, the absence of Bluetooth support, the somewhat outdated dongle configuration, and a higher price point compared to the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless contribute to a slightly lower, though still positive, overall rating.
HyperX provided test samples for this review. Provision of samples does not influence editorial objectivity.
