Gaming headsets designed for the E-sports world must be able to satisfy two specific needs. They must sound rich enough to help users spot their opponents from a distance and they must be comfortable enough for them to wear it for hours on end. The Cloud Revolver headphones succeed on both fronts. Not only do they offer comfy memory-foam earcups an immersive directional audio, but they’ve got metal suspension frame that is built to last.
The Cloud Revolver S looks like exactly like its predecessor. It has the same exhaust like, aggressive-looking earcups and sturdy metal frame. The most noticeable difference they have is that the Revolver S has white highlight features instead of red ones, which is kind of welcome change considering the fact that there are already too many gaming headsets that look like they’ve been dipped in a pool of blood.
DESIGN
Cloud Revolver:
The word that best describes the HyperX Cloud Revolver is “loud”, and this is not just solely in the sound quality department. This black, eye-catching pair of gaming headphones features a sturdy and strong metal suspension frame that covers the headset’s foam headband which automatically adjust to the user’s head. Most people are often immediately drawn to device’s huge, red exhaust-like circles found on both the earcups. Okay, they don’t illuminate like the ones on the Siberia v3 Prism from SteelSeries Arctis, however, they’re still something interesting your stream viewers can look at.
While its Cloud 2 cousin’s unassuming design helps make it something that can be used as an everyday listening device, the Cloud Revolver itself feels no shame at all being considered just a gaming peripheral. It’s got a far more aggressive overall aesthetic than its much more elegant predecessor. However, thanks to its sturdy metal frame, it’s potentially more durable. Although, just like the HyperX headset that came before it, it still has the leatherette-covered, headband and memory-foam earcups that made the Cloud 2 headset such a joy to put on. What’s even better is that its metal suspension frame adjust automatically to the user’s head size. You won’t feel like taking these headphones on once you’ve put them on. Although, eve though the earcups provide plenty of breathing space, they also occasionally slip out from time time.
Cloud Revolver S:
There’s not much that separates these two gaming headsets in the design department. They’re almost identical in this area. They both have exhaust-like, memory-foam earcups and a sturdy metal frame. The big difference between the two is that the instead of red highlights, the Cloud Revolver S has red ones. While this helps this particular headset look more subtle in general, it still happens to be a very eye-catching piece of head gear. Yes, they can be worn both at home and in the office with no qualms, however, they’ll look a little out of place in public. They really can’t double as an everyday listening device. That honor belongs to the far more unassuming HyperX Cloud 2 gaming headset.
You can easily use the Cloud Revolver S for both work and play, and in both cases after some time you won’t even notice you have them on. That’s how comfortable they are. Its huge, faux-leather earcups both feel cozy and very spacious, and the headset’s soft suspension headband adjusts automatically to the user’s head without needing them to tinker with it manually.
PERFORMANCE
Cloud Revolver:
The Cloud Revolver headset promises “studi-grade” audio, with 50mm drivers that are designed to provide users with wider soundscapes than the previous HyperX Cloud headphones. The company certainly delivered on this, as the Cloud Revolver does a great job of effectively highlighting everything from thunderous explosions to subtle movements, whether it’s used on a PC, Xbox One or PlayStation 4.
In Star Wars Battlefront, the game’s iconic blaster noises sound really clean and crisp, and the thermal detonator explosions sounded loud and had a lot of low-end oomph. In more action games such as Halo 5, you’ll be able to easily point out where enemy gunfire and footsteps are coming from. When it comes to horrifyingly brutal noises, there’s no game that can test a headphone’s ability to produce these sound like Mortal Kombat X. Don’t worry, the headset does not disappoint even one bit. Every kick and punch resonates with impact, and there are disturbingly rich levels of detail all the time you telepathically rip out your opponent’s guts or break their bones.
When it comes to music, the Cloud Revolver is equally as impressive. The headphones preserves the all the incendiary energy you’ll find in rock songs such as the “Awakening” by Yellowcard. It gives these tracks’ soaring vocals, driving bass and bright guitars an opportunity to shine individually. When you switch to hip hop tracks, like Kendrick Lamar’s “Swimming Pools”, you’ll be treated to thumping bass sounds that’ll instantly get to you to bob your head. The Cloud Revolver headset will allow you to hear all the instruments in their clean, crisp glory.
Cloud Revolver S:
As far as sound is concerned, the biggest change HyperX made when it comes to the Cloud Revolver S headset is the virtual Dolby 7.1 surround sound they’ve added to the device, which can be activated by pressing a button (no software needed). But, while HyperX’s new pair of gaming headphones generally performs well across the board, the surround sound mode can’t always be felt in every scenario as a major upgrade.
In Mass Effect Andromeda, making out the explosions, flurry of bullets and special powers that surround you when defending your outpost from aliens isn’t really an issue. Activating the 7.1 surround sound feature does make the game a bit louder and heighten some environmental details, however, it also created a muddy sound sometimes which will often cause you to switch back to the standard mode which is more clear and crisp. You’ll also experience something similar when you use them to play Tomb Raider. When Dolby surround sound is activated, the sounds of rustling leaves and blowing winds are much clearer, but both footsteps and weapons sounded punchier when the feature is turned off.
While the Cloud Revolver S’ surround-sound performance is a tad bit underwhelming, to say the least, its three sound presets on the headphones provided in Standard mode were all anything but that. The device’s bass-boost mode adds a welcomed extra punch to the guns being used in the game and help make the special powers land with a much bigger bang in Mass Effect. The dialogue and flat modes do a fantastic job at highlighting both the highs and mids, respectively.
While it’s audio presets and surround mode are all limited to PC systems, it’s still a relatively good console gaming headset if you want to use its 3.5mm audio jack cable to connect it to your Xbox One or PlayStation 4 controller. With the Cloud Revolver S headset, it’s easy to pinpoint the gunfire and footsteps of your enemies in Overwatch, and you’ll also be able to hear all the unsettling slams, creaks and monstrous growls and in Resident Evil’s 7 terrifying mansion. It also does a great job of highlighting the Mortal Kombat’s exquisitely horrifying sound designs, give a nice oomph to the kicks and punches and allowing users to hear every crackle of the bone when you break an enemy’s body part.
FEATURES
Cloud Revolver:
This gaming headset has a highly flexible, rubber boom mic that’s detachable when you want to use it as just a pair of listening devices. You can use it on Skype calls without worrying whether the person on the other line can hear you properly. Although they might pick up some background fuzz, especially if you’re using them in a noisy environment. The headphone’s 3-foot long, 3.5mm audio cord gives users a lot of slack for PC, mobile device or controller connection. It can be made even longer if it’s connected to the 6.5-foot sound box extension that’s included in the package. This extra cable features a dongle that allows for mic muting, provides separate headphone and mic jacks for a PC, for clipping the cable to your shirt when you need to and volume adjustment.
Cloud Revolver S:
The Cloud Revolver S also has a detachable microphone that’s impressively clear and fairly bendable. The recordings you take with the headset will contain virtually no background noise and it has minimal fuzziness. In fact, it performs slightly better than its predecessor in this department. And even though the mic is positioned a little far from the mouth, it still manages to ensure you sound crisp and clear. Your teammates shouldn’t have an issue hearing what you’re saying through the Revolver S’ mic, and you might even be able to get away recording a podcast using it.
Another thing that’s as impressive is its ease of use and sheer versatility. The headset’s default 3.3-foot audio cord give user a lot of slack for tablet, smartphone and controller connections. Connecting it to the USB audio box, which you’ll need to do when you want to use the surround sound feature, will give users a total slack of slightly over 7-feet, which is way more than enough space for connecting it to the back of a computer. If you’re not going to need the surround sound feature, there’s also a 6.6-foot extension cord included in the package that has separate microphone and headphone jack ports.
The USB audio box is also really well designed, which helps add more aesthetic value to the product as a whole. It has huge button features for muting the microphone as well as for instantly activating the device’s Dolby surround sound feature. The box also has easy-to-reach microphone and volume sliders as well as a convenient button function for switching between sound presets.
VERDICT
As a headset specifically designed and manufactured for the E-sports world, the Cloud Revolver hits every mark. Its directionally accurate, rich sound makes it very easy to know where your enemies are, and its cozy memory-foam earcups and metal suspension frame help make it comfortable enough to wear it hours on end during those long tournament days. Oh, and it definitely a big plus that music also sounds super great as well. However, while it costs a little more than its Cloud 2 cousin, the only thing you’re getting for those extra dollars is a slightly better sound and a metal frame. That being said, the Revolver’s overall sound quality and durability puts it right up there with the best of them.
The Cloud Revolver S is basically a better version of the original Cloud Revolver, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best gaming headsets you can get your hands on. It can be worn for hours on end without it getting uncomfortable, it’s versatile enough for mobile devices, console and PC connection as well as being durable enough to withstand trips to e-sports tournaments. The plug-and-play 7.1 surround sound addition is a wonderful touch that helps take it to that next level, however, mileage my vary a little as far as quality is concerned. However, if surround sound is something you don’t really need that much then the original Cloud Revolver should do just fine for you.
Big the big difference between these two wonderful gaming peripherals from HyperX is the Dolby Surround-Sound feature. The Revolver S has basically everything its predecessor has but with the addition of this feature. Though, truth is, it isn’t even really that good. So, if you’re not willing to pay a little more for that feature, don’t worry. You’ll do just fine with the standard modes on the original Revolver. That being said, we’ll just have to say the Revolver S is better because of that. Otherwise, they’re more or less kind of the same exact product. And, now you know.
