HyperX Cloud MIX: Lightweight hybrid headset in review
26.2.2019
Translation: machine translated
With the Cloud MIX, HyperX is leaving the realm of mid-range headsets for once in terms of price. It is the manufacturer's most expensive audio product. Presumably because, in addition to wired operation with Hi-Res Audio certification, you also have the option of enjoying music on the move with Bluetooth.
Bluetooth and gaming are a mismatched pair. The latency of wireless technology is too high. Even with the aptX low-latency codec, you can't get below a 32 millisecond delay. Nevertheless, a headset with an additional Bluetooth function makes perfect sense. Especially if it is relatively small and light, like this one. With the HyperX Cloud MIX, you get Bluetooth headphones and a gaming headset in one.
Technical data of the Cloud Mix:
- Wired operation for PC gaming (3.5 mm jack connection and distribution cable), Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch
- Bluetooth wireless technology for enjoying music or phone calls on the go
- Frequency range from 10 Hz to 40 KHz, impedance of 40 Ω
- 40 mm dual-chamber driver
- Over-ear ear pads made from artificial leather and memory foam
- Removable microphone with noise cancellation
- Integrated microphone for wireless communication
- Battery life up to 20 hours
- Hi-Res Audio certification
Processing, look and feel
This over-ear headset weighs just 260 grams, making it a lightweight of its kind. That's a good thing, because otherwise I wouldn't want to use the headset as mobile Bluetooth headphones. It looks simple for a gamer product. Despite the (matt) black colour scheme and the silver HyperX logo emblazoned on both shells.
The headset is well made and looks robust. Not least thanks to the metal headband with comfortable padding. The headband can be adjusted to any head size - unlike some competitor products, the headset also sits perfectly on small heads. The ear pads made of artificial leather and memory foam are two centimetres thick. The cables that connect the ear cups and headband are sleeved.
Unfortunately, the headset does not have swivelling ear cups. But even without a swivel joint, there is enough room for the cups to adapt to the shape of your head when you put them on. As a result, and thanks to the good padding, the headset is very comfortable to wear. It sits comfortably and I can't detect any uncomfortable pressure points even after hours of use.
Handling, connections and buttons
The headset comes with a 1.3 metre long audio cable with a 3.5 mm jack connection. This has a volume control and mute slider. A two metre long distribution cable and a USB charging cable are also included. Unfortunately, this is still one with a micro USB connection - strange for today's world. It's cool that the microphone boom can also be removed. Because I don't want to have it with me when I'm mobile. If I do need a microphone while travelling, HyperX has fortunately also installed an internal microphone for Bluetooth telephony.
On the left ear cup, there is a 3.5 mm cable connection, a microphone connection, a Bluetooth microphone and a Bluetooth multifunction button. This can be used to start, pause and rewind music tracks. You can also use it to take phone calls.
A micro USB charging port, a Bluetooth power button, a status LED and Bluetooth volume buttons are located on the right ear cup. The power button is also used for pairing (press and hold for 5 seconds). If you trigger an action with the power button, an English female voice informs you about the action and, when switching on, also about the current charge level of the battery. This lasts up to 20 hours depending on the volume and usage. The Bluetooth version used is 4.2 - this gives you a theoretical transmission range of up to around ten metres.
The sound: subtle bass and a wide audible frequency range
The sound is barely audible to the outside world. This means you won't annoy anyone on the train or in the office. Only in quiet places is it noticeable that the headphones don't provide really good shielding. At least once I was able to annoy my better half in the evening while she was reading a book. But what do they sound like?
First of all, I want to know what the frequency range is like. They promise 10 to 40,000 Hz, but hardly anyone can hear a frequency above 20 KHz. When listening to the Cloud MIX, I perceive frequencies between 25 and 17,100 Hz. This is a good value, as the comparison with previously tested products shows.
| Lowest audible frequency | Highest audible frequency | Frequency range according to manufacturer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony MDR-HW700DS | 20 Hz | 17 500 Hz | 5 to 25 000 Hz |
| HyperX Cloud MIX | 25 Hz | 17 100 Hz | 10 to 40 000 Hz |
| Turtle Beach Elite Atlas | 27 Hz | 16 800 Hz | 12 to 20 000 Hz |
| Corsair VOID PRO RGB Wireless | 34 Hz | 16 200 Hz | 20 to 20 000 Hz |
| Huawei in-ear headphones | 43 Hz | 16 000 Hz | unknown |
I like the sound of the headset when gaming. Both on the PS4 and on the PC - although I can also enjoy virtual surround sound on the PC, which is possible with any analogue headset. The headset delivers an atmospheric, balanced sound, but the bass is rather restrained. Shots and explosions in Battlefield 5 therefore don't sound quite as pompous as usual. On the other hand, I really like the background sound, weather noises and the precision with which I can recognise the direction of enemies.
As far as listening to music is concerned, I first compare the wired sound with the Bluetooth sound. What is immediately noticeable is that the sound via Bluetooth comes across very differently. The bass in particular seems very bloated when using wireless technology, in contrast to gaming and listening via a jack. Too much for my taste, which is why I quickly turned it down in the equaliser. In terms of sound quality alone, I can't tell any difference after this adjustment (I tested with FLAC sound), although the Hi-Res Audio certification for analogue operation printed on the packaging promises otherwise.
The sound image of the sound is otherwise very good. Only with certain genres/tracks do I have the feeling that the mid frequencies sound a little too subtle. I noticed this particularly with metal. Instead, I like classical music, electro sounds and rap best.
Voice quality
The internal microphone for Bluetooth telephony unfortunately has a very limited frequency range of 50 to 8000 Hz. This means that everyone you talk to will hear you as if you were talking through a tin can. But you will still be understood.
After the rain comes the sunshine: the detachable microphone covers a much wider frequency range of 50 to 18,000 Hz. As a result, and also thanks to noise cancellation, your voice is heard very clearly in Discord, Teamspeak and the like.
Conclusion: Hybrid at a fair price
With the Cloud MIX, you get a solidly made, wired headset with sophisticated operation and superior mid-range sound quality. The somewhat high price is justified by Bluetooth. But beware, although the Bluetooth technology is great for listening to music on the go, if you want to make a call via the Bluetooth microphone, the person you're talking to will hear your voice like it's the 80s. You will sound extremely muffled, which is fortunately not the case with the detachable microphone. Your gaming buddies will hear you clearly in the chat.
Apart from the aforementioned criticism, the headset is impressive. At least if you really use it as a hybrid. If you are only looking for a headset for gaming, I would go for a cheaper product. <p
Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.
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