Let us take a closer look at Pokimane’s favorite headset the HyperX Cloud MIX wired gaming headset + Bluetooth. A very quality product designed to not only be a battle station audio source but also because of its lightweight and detachable boom mic convert into a portable Bluetooth headset for daily lifestyle use. When wired into its source it claims to be capable of rich Hi-Res Audio certified frequencies from 10Hz – 40Hz that allow you to hear details and nuances you might usually miss. In wireless Bluetooth mode, HyperX says you can enjoy up to 20 hours of use in the real world. Customer HyperX technology includes a 40mm chamber driver which separates the bass, mid, and highs to cut distortion. Its base is an aluminum frame featuring soft memory foam ear cushions making it durable and comfy. It supports PC, console, or any Bluetooth device with a retail price of $199.99.
I look at this product as a luxury over peak esports performance model. It is built to last; I am overly impressed with the design you will not find one bit of “janky” on this headset. Weighing in at 275g with the mic attached, its ultra-light aluminum frame will keep you forgetting it’s on your head. I have tried on tons of headsets at tradeshows but never have I felt this soft of memory foam, its god tier. Its onboard controls are simple and easy to use pairing the device was a piece of cake. Cabling includes a Detachable Headset Cable: 3.5mm plug (4 pole), a PC extension cable: 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs. If your designing a hybrid gaming/portable headset a retractable or detachable mic is a must, in this case, we have a detachable boom mic which I think most people would agree carrying extra parts can be a hassle. Either way, the design is stellar the HyperX Cloud MIX will last you a long time and offers a ton of versatility.
Audio performance is most important for a hardcore gamer, especially in Battle royal or First-Person Shooter type environments. We all know how valuable positioning is to our competitive experience in these types of online games. It has been a long-time debate, but I believe DTS or 7.1 provides the most optimal spatial imaging for complete 360-degree immersion. Let us take a few steps back here, the audio on the HyperX Cloud MIX is phenomenal! But once again, this product is not min-maxing for the Esports F1 style it is more like a Bentley comfortable, luxurious, and fast. When wired it holds to the certified Hi-Res Audio standards pumping out mega quality high-resolution audio. You do feel immersed and yes you still can pinpoint the directional sound. The microphone quality is subpar it features an Electret condenser microphone with noise canceling at a 50Hz-18,000 Hz frequency response rate and a 42dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz) sensitivity. You will never get studio-quality mic performance out of a headset, but I have heard much better quality at way lower price points. If you have ever watched Pokimane’s stream you will notice she uses a studio mic and not the onboard boom mic.
I would like to see this headset priced at $149. I think it would be worth every penny at this price point. $199 is just a bit too high compared to other quality brands where you can get a bit more sound quality for the price. Without going too deep into comparison I would say the Arctis 7 by Steel Series at $149 would be just as good if not better in some areas maybe worse in others. Even if you were to add DTS or 7.1 technology I think any headset priced at $199 or above should include some type of hardware like a GameDAC amp or a chat mixer. My thoughts are HyperX’s is main selling point at the $199 price point is the portability and versatility. You can use this headset on any gaming device you have PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch. It also breaks into the lifestyle genre connecting to mobile, tablet, laptop, or even your car! It’s almost enough for me to want to spend that extra $50 but it really boils down to personal preference. Are you looking to drive and full raced out F1 car or a luxurious Bentley?
