HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 – Design and features
Cloud Revolver is as close as the game headphones to the look of studio headphones. They are large, heavy and offer a high-quality, polished sound. The frame is made of stainless steel, uncovered, with a thick plastic mold to attach the large headphones to it. Weighing in at 380 grams (£ 0.84), it’s heavy enough to really need the two-piece self-adjusting top band, which distributes the weight of the headset to the top of the head. The outer metal strip is static, but there is an inner strip lined with memory foam, which slides on the plastic rails. The front and back edges of the upper band have braided silver and black strings, which add a slight splash of color against the otherwise dark metal device. As I mentioned in my Sony Pulse 3D review, I’m personally not a big fan of this type of backing tape: there’s usually an unusual gap between the inner and outer bands, and in the case of Cloud Revolver, it requires a few minor adjustments to to feel comfortable. That being said, it seems like a worthy compromise, given the weight of the headset: Although the weight of the headset is visible, I could wear them for many hours without head or neck fatigue.
The earphones, also lined with memory foam, are extremely large, which helps to cultivate a great soundscape when the need arises. The closed rear design also offers a fair amount of protection against ambient noise and is quite comfortable to boot. Inside, Cloud Revolver has 50mm drivers, which have become standard for most mid-range headphones.
Turning outwards, Cloud Revolver + 7.1 retains the design of the thicker, plastic-covered one-way microphone found on previous Cloud Revolver. Although it looks the same, HyperX has gone from a two-way to a one-way microphone, which seems to improve its ability to filter ambient noise. Although slightly more malleable than the metal wire microphone found on most other HyperX headphones, the large microphone panel captures a clean sound even when only positioned in general. Thanks to additional software-enabled noise cancellations, it’s better than most to keep the outside noise out and focus on your voice.
Using Logitech Capture, a video chat setup application, I recorded videos with myself and found that my voice was clean, with no additional background noise, even when the microphone was not properly aligned in front of my lips. I also tested the microphone in games and video chat applications like Zoom and it seemed clear to me.
In addition to a microphone slot, Cloud Revolver avoids ports and on-ear commands by downloading them to the removable USB DaC, which HyperX calls the “audio control box.” The cut-out dongle, which converts the 3.5mm headphone audio cable to USB, powers the headphone’s enhanced audio capabilities, including surround sound and active mute noise in the microphone.
The control box is the only part of Cloud Revolver + 7.1 that has received a significant redesign. The new model has four panel size buttons: Volume up and down on one side, microphone volume up and down on the other. In the middle, there is a round illuminated “7.1” button to turn surround sound on or off. Finally, on the side, you have a small mute button that turns red to compensate for the hidden position.
The checkbox creates some compatibility complications for Cloud Revolver. While its core features are compatible with any platform via the 3.5mm audio jack, the USB sound card is only compatible with PlayStation PCs and consoles, so you can’t use surround sound or software-enhanced microphone to eliminate noise on Xbox Series X.
When the push comes to push, Cloud Revolver still delivers great sound on the Xbox. If you have a Dolby Atmos license, you can get good surround sound – probably better – on the platform. However, without full access to its feature set, I would urge Xbox gamers to invest in equipment created specifically for the platform.
HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 – Games
Even without major changes or many new features, Cloud Revolver is still a pretty incredible headset. The big-ear headphones create space for its expanding sound, but precisely to create a great feeling of space inside and outside the game.
In Immortals Fenyx Rising, the headset creates a bold and clear sound throughout its range – the low, medium and high tones are strong and clear. The many hints of musical play sounded sweet and clear, making them a pleasure to listen to. In particular, we found the clarity allowed for a better-than-average separation between foreground and background sound. When Zeus and Petrocolous talk during intense battles, you can clearly hear both the audio signals related to the battle and the dialogue without bleeding.
This clarity is just as important in a more competitive situation, I played quite a lot of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It is easier to distinguish the direction and even the type of gun after the ear when every little noise comes through clarity. We also found that Cloud Revolver used its 50 mm drivers, generating powerful and expansive explosions.
The HyperX pivot from dolby surround sound to its software seems to have gone swimming. In all the games we tested, the surround sound created a clear sense of space and directionality. Surround sound also adds a little digital audio enhancement, which improves clarity and slightly increases the volume. It’s a bit of extra oomph that causes hard bass moments, like when Miles puts his headphones on in the first scene of Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Purchasing guide
HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 gaming headphones are now available for $ 149.99 at Amazon, Best Buy and through the HyperX online store.