HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review

Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
Our evaluation of the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless showed it to be an average wireless device with a hefty price tag. We recommend looking at other products in our review before settling on this product.
Comfort
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless received below-average marks in this assessment primarily because of its squishy ear cup padding and thin headband cushion. However, testers could still wear the device for up to 8 hours before discomfort set in.
The ear cups and headband are the biggest contributors to comfort. The HyperX's ear cups are fairly spacious, but some tester's ears came in contact with the interior, which caused a little irritation after a while. Additionally, the leatherette-covered padding tends to trap more heat than other models we've tested, thus decreasing the comfort slightly when worn for long periods. That said, the headset has marks on the headband to make sure the adjustments are even, and it is on the lighter side at 11.8 ounces, so you won't feel like you have a weight clipped to your head.
Audio
Our audio assessment focuses on positional sound. In this metric, we ask ourselves — are the headset's speakers good enough for the wearer to identify the direction from which sound emanated? When listening to gaming SFX through the HyperX, our testers were able to identify where the sounds were coming from with ease and accuracy — right, left, front, or behind, it was fine in all directions. As for coms with fellow players, the clarity of others' voices was slightly above average — what we'd define as acceptable for serious gameplay.
Music quality was average as well — the bass bumps but the mid-level and treble are so-so. Taken as a whole, the HyperX's music quality is clear and crisp. However, the noise blocking capability is marginal at best. This is somewhat surprising considering that the HyperX has a closed back design.
Microphone
The HyperX's microphone delivers reasonably clear audio, though there are some harsh sibilants. The muting effect was complete. Finally, the background noise picked up by the mic was minimal to nonexistent. Overall, the audio sounds pretty good.
Ease of Use
Surprisingly, the HyperX garnered a below-average rating. The headset is plug-and-play, so there is virtually no setup. However, the charging cable is fairly short, and the microphone isn't detachable. The lack of these features lowered the unit's ease-of-use performance.
Should You Buy HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless?
While the Hyper isn't a terrible gaming headset, it is one of the lowest ranked devices in the class, and yet, it's also one of the more expensive. As such, we do not recommend it.
What Other Gaming Headsets Should You Consider?
If you want a wireless gaming headset, we recommend that you have a look at the Corsair HS80 RGB. It's less expensive and performs at a far higher level. If you want to save even more money and also want the highest possible level of performance, have a look at the Kraken V3 HyperSense — it won't disappoint.