HyperX Cloud MIX evaluation: hybrid gaming headset with extra BOOM in your buck

The HyperX Cloud MIX is the newest gaming headset from the vary which has supplied us with a few of the best possible ear-blasters within the enterprise, and that from an organization that truly made its identify in RAM. The two most positively don’t go hand-in-hand, and but the unique two Cloud cans, and the later HyperX Cloud Alpha, completely nailed high-end gaming audio with an reasonably priced price ticket.

But what does the Cloud MIX convey to the desk that you would be able to’t get within the present headphones from the HyperX steady? Wireless audio, that’s what. Though it’s not fairly so simple as that as a result of, whereas the Cloud MIX does have wi-fi connectivity constructed into it, it’s not strictly talking a wi-fi gaming headset.

Yes, we’re transferring into hybrid wi-fi gaming headset territory right here; a product class I’m not fully positive anyone requested for, or one that may actually justify the value premium this combined wired/wi-fi know-how is demanding. We’re speaking a couple of high-end conventional wired gaming headset, however with Bluetooth performance away from the desktop.

But this isn’t simply the wonderful HyperX Cloud Alpha with a Bluetooth dongle jammed inside it, the engineers have hung out engaged on the drivers and tuning the audio to ship a gaming headset which has further performance in addition to a higher-spec aural expertise.

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You’re nonetheless getting the revolutionary multi-chamber ear cups HyperX launched with the Cloud Alpha, a design which separates out the excessive and mid frequencies from the bass notes utilizing completely different chambers. The impact on the unique cans was genuinely spectacular, making a degree of tonal separation that you just’d be laborious pressed to search out in any headset of the identical value. That kind of aural constancy is generally reserved for audiophile headphones costing no less than twice as a lot because the Alphas.

But the Cloud MIX is utilizing completely different drivers, and whereas the bigger-numbers-are-best brigade may bristle on the suggestion a 40mm driver might be superior to a 50mm choice, the nominally smaller drivers used within the MIX headset are an enchancment on the Alpha’s. The decrease impedance signifies that the headphones are simpler to drive from decrease energy gadgets, resembling a cellphone, nevertheless it’s the way more broad frequency response which has caught my eyes and ears.

Where the Alpha sports activities a 13Hz – 27,000Hz vary, the HyperX Cloud MIX presents assist for frequencies as little as 10Hz and as excessive as 40,000Hz. That’s correct audiophile-level territory proper there, however the place the Cloud Alpha brings its personal broad vary to the reasonably priced finish of gaming headsets, the $200 (£180) HyperX Cloud MIX is getting mighty near high-end pricing.

But that high-res audio enabled frequency vary is simply accessible through the normal wired connection, in the event you needed to go wi-fi along with your PC’s Bluetooth connection then you definately’re restricted by bandwidth. The Cloud MIX does assist Bluetooth AptX, which implies it could possibly ship CD high quality audio over these wi-fi pipes, however you’re not going to get the complete high-res expertise with out a cable.

If you’re simply searching for that wi-fi connectivity to return into play if you step away out of your desk, pulling audio from Tidal, YouTube, or Spotify in your cellphone, that’s probably not a problem. The Bluetooth connection is strong, and nonetheless delivers an ideal aural expertise – thanks largely to that dual-chamber design.

But to get use the complete potential of the Cloud MIX’s drivers it is advisable to get wired for sound utilizing the headset’s 3.5mm connection. That approach you get the complete illustration of that ultra-broad frequency vary in addition to the beautiful tonal separation that’s grow to be the hallmark of the latest Cloud cans.

Does that imply the audio has been improved over the Alphas? Well, that’s laborious to say, and in all honesty goes to be one thing of a private selection. If you thought that possibly the unique Cloud and Cloud Alpha headsets had been a bit bass-light then you definately’ll be glad to know that’s positively not the case right here. Personally, I discover the brand new HyperX Cloud MIX headset just a bit too bass-forward in contrast with the Alpha’s flatter, extra pure tuning.

It does imply you get some severe ‘splode noises when things are really kicking off in Battlefield V, and thunderous drum-heavy music is beautifully rendered through the MIX too. I’m usually anti the bass emphasis producers usually add to headphones with the ‘gaming’ moniker as a result of it usually means it muddies the standard of the mid and excessive tones. But, presumably because of the dual-chamber design, that doesn’t occur with the Cloud MIX, you simply get the heavy bass, together with all of the element and readability of the opposite frequencies too. It’s not taking something away, simply supplying you with extra increase in your buck.

And if that sounds proper up your avenue then these new cans are going to be good for you. For me, I feel I nearly choose the sound you get from the unique Cloud Alpha design.

As a gaming headset then, the Cloud MIX is superb although probably barely divisive, and as a set of Bluetooth headphones they’re excellent too. But I’m nonetheless struggling to determine whether or not I want each in a single package deal.

In a approach the additional performance signifies that you don’t have to purchase a separate gaming headset and one other pair of headphones for common music-listening use on the go. But whereas HyperX has tried to tone down the final ‘gamer’ aesthetic for the MIX, so it’s not fairly so cringey to be seen carrying them round city, they nonetheless don’t appear to be a pair of stylish audiophile cans.

The on-ear controls are stable, and responsive, and extra importantly comparatively discreet – fortunately the MIX isn’t plastered with RGB LED strips – however the chunky ear-cups are nonetheless a bit massive for my tastes and that huge silver HyperX emblem a bit too distinguished.

Finally there’s that value. For a pair of audiophile-level cans the $200 (£180) value level is definitely fairly respectable, however the HyperX Cloud Alpha, at simply $90 (£70), is sort of not possible to disregard. It’s a improbable gaming headset, has nice audio chops, and is lower than half the value of the MIX. That’s a hell of a value premium for some Bluetooth performance and a dollop of additional bass.

The HyperX Cloud MIX then is a high quality set of cans, however the excessive value premium over the Alphas, and its bass-forward tuning, simply makes it a a lot more durable product to advocate.