HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 headset assessment — All plastic, maintain the unbelievable

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a completely plastic, straight to the purpose sort of headset. It doesn’t include any fancy tips or odd gimmicks to attempt to make it appear grander than it truly is. And I like that. However, on the similar time, you even have to think about that this simplistic strategy additionally means what you see, or on this case, hear, is what you’re going to get.

Within the a number of hours and totally different situations I’ve put the Cloud Stinger 2 via, my ideas of it are principally summed up with, “It’s good, however...”

Again to the fundamentals

Being an entry-level headset, the Cloud Stinger 2’s specs aren’t something extraordinary. They’re fairly modest, packing-in a reasonably typical set of options; an all-plastic design, normal 50mm drivers in each earcups, and a fundamental (non-removeable) mic.

Whereas an all-plastic design isn’t unusual for budget-focused headsets, the mould used for the Cloud Stinger 2’s feels somewhat low cost and hole. This simply doubles-down on the ‘plain Jane’ really feel I discussed earlier.

The texture of the headset isn’t as essential as how the cans sound, however its cheapness doesn’t encourage a lot confidence once I take into account placing them in a bag. Whereas I’ve a hardshell case for my common pair of headphones, I nonetheless really feel like I can get away with slipping them right into a pocket of my backpack unsheathed if the necessity arises. The Cloud Stinger 2, then again, feels way more fragile. On the very least, nevertheless, the ear cups do swivel to permit the cups to put flat, although there isn’t a folding mechanism.

That stated, the precise design itself isn’t dangerous in any respect. In typical HyperX trend, this headset is large, and there’s a pleasant textured set of ridges alongside every earcup and the headscarf. The engraved HyperX brand can also be a neat contact.

Seeing that these are gamer-focused, it’s notable that the headset’s visible design is definitely fairly delicate. There’s no RGB or wild shade accents; the one splash of shade is the crimson rotating quantity dial that’s nestled into the underside of the best earcup. Carrying these in a extra professional-oriented video convention (which I additionally examined) doesn’t look too obnoxious.

The Cloud Stinger 2’s are definitely comfy, to say the least. These chunky earcups do effectively to utterly cowl the ears, so that you shouldn’t get any of the dreaded ear fatigue that on-ear headphones are likely to trigger. To not point out the equally giant headrest has a pleasant cushion to it, additional including to the Cloud Stinger 2’s consolation issue. That stated, the headset’s dimension is each a curse and a blessing.

“Are you able to flip that down?”

I did a few of my testing whereas sitting subsequent to my fiancée. When she stated one thing to me, I couldn’t hear her whereas my audio was on. As soon as I eliminated the headset, although, she talked about she might hear the whole lot that was popping out of them. I confirmed these claims once I let her put on them, and I, too, might hear nearly the whole lot that was being performed. So, whereas this headset does cancel out sound so long as one thing is enjoying via them, you could very effectively find yourself distracting another person close by. So far as the expertise goes for the precise headphone listener, it’s finest described as lukewarm.

Strolling the road

Whereas I’m not as choosy as a real audiophile, neither do I take into account myself to be so informal that I’ll be proud of simply any pair of headphones. Seeing that I do take the day trip to equalize every of my audio gadgets, I assume I sit someplace in between an audiophile and an off-the-cuff listener.

That stated, the Cloud Stinger 2’s sound high quality can also be fairly center of the highway, which is probably going unsurprising at this level within the assessment. It definitely isn’t essentially the most basic-sounding headset I’ve ever had, however they haven’t blown me away by any means. They’re merely simply advantageous.

As talked about as a characteristic within the documentation, HyperX does embody a two-year subscription to the DTS Sound Unbound Microsoft Retailer app. Nevertheless, my product key refused to activate.

Fortunately, I already use Growth 3D together with the free Peace Equalizer. So I used to be in a position to equalize the Cloud Stinger 2 to my liking and check out it out by watching YouTube movies, listening to music, and, in fact, enjoying some video games. No matter what’s enjoying, the headsets drivers by no means appeared to excel in anybody specific space. Whereas the separation of various devices and sounds is noticeable, the headset merely doesn’t produce a satisfying stage of bass. Thus, the whole lot sounds merely ample; a bit of tinny at occasions, and a bit of muddy at others. The general high quality is okay however not distinctive.

And once I take into account how giant and comfortable the earcups are, the truth that they lack an honest sufficient seal to stop audio leakage along with not likely producing thumpy-bass is a little bit of a disappointment.

Make no mistake

For reference, I day by day the Soundcore Life Q20 wi-fi headphones made by Anker. These are additionally within the finances class, coming in at simply $59.99 — simply $10 greater than the Cloud Stinger 2. Regardless of being far smaller and sporting an on-ear design, they blow previous the Cloud Stinger 2’s. The bass is much heftier, the seal is a lot better, and the construct high quality is extra strong.

The earcups are additionally extra versatile for storage functions, along with it being each wired/wi-fi and being able to activate noise cancelling even when wired. The odd factor in regards to the Q20s is that they sound dramatically higher when in noise-cancelling mode. Turned off, they don’t sound all that totally different from the Cloud Stinger 2, however the secret is that they can sound higher. In the meantime, with the Cloud Stinger 2, you’re caught with what it may produce by itself.

No quantity of audio enhancement actually pushed them past the degrees I achieved. I attempted totally different configurations, and even used the identical audio profile as I’ve for the Soundcore headphones. Swapping between the corresponding profiles throughout each headsets, it grew to become even clearer that the Q20s are merely higher tuned and extra highly effective.

Once I used the profile I made for the HyperX headphones with the Q20s, it produced that very same tinny and muddy impact I discussed earlier than. But once I used the Q20 sound profile on the HyperX cans, it did not match the identical ‘oomph’ that these headphones have.

At the least the Cloud Stinger 2’s mic fares a bit higher with audio processing. I attempted it out each as-is and with enhancements due to Nvidia Broadcast. By itself, the mic is pretty crunchy, however serviceable. It’s adequate to make out your voice, however it’s very apparent you’re utilizing a low-quality mic.

With Nvidia Broadcast cancelling out background noise, and with some additional quantity increase due to Home windows itself, I obtained a noticeably higher sound profile from the mic. It’s nonetheless fundamental, thoughts you, however it does a greater job. Clearly, although, this specific technique of on-the-fly processing is simply accessible to those that have RTX playing cards.

Sound test

HyperX definitely is aware of that it’s interesting to the budget-conscious crowd with an choice like this, and the Cloud Stinger 2 does match the invoice. When you care strongly about audio high quality, you then’re higher off with the aforementioned Soundcore providing, or an equal. However, for somebody who’s simply getting began on this planet of gaming, or just doesn’t thoughts a less-than-stellar sound profile, this headset can nonetheless work.

Whereas I’m undecided the extra audio processing that HyperX “ensures” from DTS would make a lot of a distinction anyway, the Cloud Stinger 2 can definitely get the job finished throughout the board. It simply does so with modesty in thoughts and nothing past.

All costs talked about are in USD.