HyperX Cloud Stinger review: Solid entry-level audio is cheaper than ever - demerslofiressamed1986

At a Glimpse

Expert's Rating

Pros

• Solid, middle-heavy sound
• HyperX in the end adds mass/mic controls on the headset itself
• Extremely low-budget

Cons

• Audio not as fat as the more than expensive HyperX Cloud
• Weak mike
• Comfy, but a trifle inferior feeling

Our Finding of fact

The Cloud Stinger provides solid sound, serious comfort, and an captivating project for anyone World Health Organization just necessarily a "good enough" headset without any billfold-shock.

HyperX first made a name for itself dorsum in 2014 with the release of its Cloud headset. Featuring clean audio frequency and an unthinkable level of comfortableness for a street price of $80, we've been recommending the Cloud always since. It's an excellent entry-level headset, with superb craftsmanship that you wouldn't expect given its low price.

But a new contender has appeared to contend for its position as the top affordable headset—and the surprising component is that this one's besides made by HyperX.

A cheaper Cloud

With a list Mary Leontyne Pric of $50, the Cloud Stinger is one of the most budget-friendly gaming headsets you're liable to discovery—at the least as far As esteemed, name-brand companies are concerned. (If you didn't already know, HyperX is run aside Kingston.)

Of row, that price trail does mean some cut corners. Build quality is where you'll feel it most: The chassis is constructed almost only from cheap-feeling plastic, though a strip of metal still runs through the headband. Overall, this headset feels durable enough to survive normal use—e.g., tossed into a knapsack, dropped onto a desk, and all the usual battle scars headsets sustain—merely you won't cop the Defile Stinger and mistake it for anything much a budget headset.

HyperX does a good problem emulating the look of a high-end device, though. In jet black with the trademark red logo on each earcup, the Cloud Stinger doesn't look much different than its pricier siblings.

Nor does it give HyperX's reputation for comfort. Most budget headsets sit happening the head with all the grace of a falling incus, only not the Cloud Cut. It force out be a bit tight connected the yap away, especially straight impossible of the boxwood, but tends to loosen up after a few years of use and eventually hits that "I forgot it was happening my head" microscope stage. Both the headband and earcups are padded liberally, and the faux-leather covering breathes a astonishing amount. Alone seldom did I find myself with the dreaded Sweaty Ears Syndrome.

Record-breaking of all: A volume slider comes embedded on the bottom of the right earcup. The lack of qualified in-line or on-headset controls has been one of my stellar complaints with HyperX's offerings yet, but the Cloud Stinger finally takes the leap into modern convenience. The slider doesn't have overmuch tramp—I'd choose a wheel, personally—merely information technology's a start. (Now if only we could get it retroactively added to the original Cloud figure.)

The mike controls also undergo an upgrade, ditching the finicky in-line controls for a simple flip-to-mute. Microphone's up? You'ray quiet. Downwards, and you're ready to utter. IT's the same organization you'll find on the $300 Astro A50, though the downside is that the Cloud Stinger's microphone is firmly committed to the left side. Previous HyperX headsets whol came with clastic microphones and could potentially forked as colourful black-and-red headphones if necessary, but this a gaming headset.

Bronze medallion for audio

Of course, the most important question is how very much sound can you convey for $50?

The Cloud Stinger ain't half unfavourable. Sure, it's a budget headset. Don't expect to get the Lapplander audio from the Cloud Stinger as Logitech's G933, the aforementioned A50, or a high-end duo of headphones.

The Cloud Stinger does a decent Book of Job, though. Most of its punch comes from the midrange, and then maybe 80 percentage of whatsoever given game (or cinema or euphony) comes through superficial clear and sporty. And for a headset of this size, you get a stunning amount of stereo breadth. With music playing, you can easily pinpoint where to each one tool resides in the mix—something you can't do with well-nig budget headsets. You get a similar convinced experience in games when it comes to pinpointing enemies or the focal point of in gunshots.

It's that 20 percent that might bother more discerning listeners. While most gaming headsets lean happening the low end to cover up imperfections, the Overcast Stinger doesn't gang much bass at all. At quieter volumes the desegregate sounds okay, like a flat-response set of studio headphones, just at higher volumes there's just no oomph to anything. Explosions strait somewhat neutered, as does the rumble of a passing tankful, a growling monster, or what give you.

The same is true of the extreme treble range—maybe that top 10 percent. Cymbal crashes get drowned out, gunshots lose some of their sharp crack, and you miss some of the subtler textures. If you test the Cloud Stinger and think it feels a bit lifeless compared to other headsets/headphones, the lack of bass and treble is probably why.

However, these are audiophile complaints about a $50 headset. If you'Re only willing to drop $50 on a headset, the Cloud Stinger is a damn fine option. Information technology's better than some likewise priced competition I've tested, and compares favorably to $50 headphones—with a microphone thrown in, to boot.

Speaking of the microphone, it's operable and not much more. Voices have a distinctly nasal tone and the mic has a tendency to pick up background noises. The Cloud Stinger too plugs straight into a 3.5mm jack—either a undivided, as found on laptops, or separate headphones/mic ports with the accompanying wire extension and splitter. Those plugging straight into their PC's mic sea do might get additional hum OR haphazardness in the background, conditional the quality of the motherboard's onboard sound.

Bottom line

You've probably noticed the Same desist passim this review: "The Obscure Stinger is bang-up, for a $50 headset." And that's true. These cans won't bristle next to competitors two or threefold the price, either in sound or in comfort. Hell, the Stinger doesn't evening stand busy the original HyperX Cloud—not quite, anyway. I give the original Taint a slight edge in comfort and a larger edge in safe quality.

The Cloud Stinger is a remarkable headset though, with HyperX once again working miracles on the lower end of the market. Solid uninjured, serious consolation, and an attractive designing get in a great option for anyone taking their first foray into gaming headsets, or anyone World Health Organization just needs "good sufficient" quality without the accompanying wallet-shock.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/411180/hyperx-cloud-stinger-review-solid-entry-level-audio-is-cheaper-than-ever.html

Posted by: demerslofiressamed1986.blogspot.com

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