HyperX Gaming Releases First Xbox One and In-House Designed Headphones at CES 2016
HyperX Gaming Releases First Xbox One and In-House Designed Headphones at CES 2016
CloudX – Xbox One Headset
Taking the award winning design of the Cloud II headset, HyperX has decided to move into the console world with the CloudX designed for the Xbox One console. This is an officially licensed product, approved by Microsoft for use with their console. Being designed for the Xbox One, it will plug directly into the controllers 3.5mm port and provide perfect audio through it’s 53mm drivers. Volume control is done through an in-line controller. Included with the CloudX is a detachable microphone and a hard shell case to protect the headset when it’s not being used or traveling.
The earcups are designed with the same memory foam as the PC version, which provides for hours of continued comfort. The over-the-ear design helps to block out ambient noise, keeping you in game mode longer. While the padded headband keeps the top of your head from getting sore from the extended game time. Pricing wasn’t immediately available, however I would expect it to be priced in line with their other headsets, so I would expect pricing to be between $99 and $150 you have a few months to prepare to purchase it as it doesn’t go on sale until sometime in the 2nd Quarter 2016.
At CES 2016, I was given the opportunity to listen to the CloudX for several minutes, and initial impressions were impressive. The sound was exactly as you would expect from HyperX, clear, crisp and free of any obvious audio defects. The bass reproduction was great, you could feel the explosive concussions when they would go off.
HyperX Revolver Headset
Last year, HyperX debuted their Cloud II headset that quickly gained attention for it’s superb design, comfort and sound quality; however while released under the HyperX brand, it wasn’t designed by them. This year, they went back to the drawing board and is releasing their first HyperX gaming headset designed by HyperX, the Revolver. Many of the design elements from the Cloud II are carried over into the new line, however HyperX did change a few things.
Other than obvious aesthetic design changes, HyperX made a few other changes. Where the Cloud II used 53mm drivers, the new headset uses 50mm drivers, a small difference but it won’t be noticable. The same Circumaural earcups will be included which means a leatherette and fabric covered models, of course that is going over the soft memory foam cushions. One of the changes is in how the earcups are swapped, the Cloud II the earcups were stretched over the frame on the headset, the new one snaps into place, which makes it easier to change them. When not using the microphone, it can be removed which is a pretty common feature anymore.
Pricing wasn’t immediately available as they are still being developed, however Kingston HyperX expects the 2.1 Stereo version to be released first in June 2016 for around $120, with the USB 7.1 coming a few months later at closer to $150.
While we didn’t have a lot of time to test out the headphones, watching a couple of game trailers I was amazed at the quality. Even with the smaller drivers, the sound was loud, clear and powerful, this is due in part to the newly designed drivers.