The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless headset promises a significant upgrade to its predecessor, boasting immersive sound and enhanced comfort. This review dives into the details of this new wireless offering, examining its performance across various aspects, from initial setup and connectivity to sound quality, microphone performance, and overall comfort. We’ll explore its strengths and weaknesses, comparing it to competitors in its price range and evaluating whether it lives up to the hype.This in-depth analysis will cover the headset's unboxing experience, wireless range and connectivity stability, ease of use and control features, microphone quality, comfort levels during extended use, and of course, its crucial sound performance, including the impact of its onboard EQ. We'll also address any compatibility issues encountered and assess the overall value proposition of the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless headset for gamers and audiophiles alike.
Pros And Cons
- 120-hour battery life
- Works on multiple platforms
- Improved sound profile compared to Cloud 3 (more bass and treble)
- Comfortable (leather pads)
- Good wireless range (over 50 feet)
- Excellent wireless connection
- Includes USB-C transmitter and USB-A adapter
- Intuitive controls (power button, mute button, volume wheel)
- Voice prompts for battery life
- Red LED mute indicator
- Audible tones
- Supports SBC, AAC, and LE Audio codecs
- Detachable microphone
- Built-in beamforming microphone
- Removable magnetic plates for customization
- Durable aluminum fork and single buckle design
- Light weight and low clamp force for comfort
- Large earcups
- Good sound isolation due to closed-back design and leatherette pads
- Onboard EQ
- Supports DTS with lifetime license
- HyperX Ingenuity software with 10-band equalizer and customizable profiles
- Excellent channel matching for FPS gaming
- Good sound quality for music, calls, and gaming
- Powerful and punchy bass without muddiness
- Lacks game-to-chat mix
- No simultaneous Bluetooth (switch between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth)
- May not work on front USB ports of PlayStation 5 (works with USB-A adapter in rear port)
- Leatherette pads can get sweaty
- Heat buildup with leatherette pads
- Slightly more microphone compression and artifacting compared to Cloud 3, potentially due to Bluetooth chipset
- Built-in microphone picks up more environmental noise than the detachable microphone
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless comes in a straightforward package. Inside, you'll find a USB-C to USB-C cable (approximately 1.5 feet long), a USB-A adapter for broader compatibility, and the wireless transmitter itself. The transmitter is notably slim, designed to minimize interference with adjacent USB ports on laptops or portable devices.
My first issue arose with PlayStation 5 compatibility. The headset wouldn't work with the front USB ports on my PS5, but functioned flawlessly when using the USB-A adapter and plugging it into the rear ports. This is quite unusual and hopefully something a firmware update will address.
Wireless Range and Connectivity
The Cloud III S boasts impressive wireless range. My informal "toilet test" (measuring range by walking around the house) consistently yielded over 50 feet, with almost 60 feet achievable before noticeable audio compression. While not ideal for extended conversations at the maximum distance, 40-50 feet provides reliable, consistent wireless performance.
Connectivity was excellent throughout testing. No noticeable dropouts or connection issues were observed during extended use.
Controls and Features
The headset's controls are similar to the previous Cloud III model, featuring power and mute buttons. A tap of the power button provides a voice prompt indicating battery life. The mute button activates a red LED on the microphone, providing visual confirmation.
The right ear cup houses the volume wheel. A new addition is a mode toggle button for switching between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth (supporting SBC, AAC, and LE Audio). Simultaneous Bluetooth is absent, however, requiring manual switching between modes.
Microphone Performance and Built-in Mic
The detachable microphone features a 10mm capsule and sounds very similar to its predecessor but with slightly more compression and artifacting, likely due to the added Bluetooth functionality. The sound is good, but not class-leading.
The Cloud III S also includes a built-in beamforming microphone, accessed when the boom mic is removed. While louder and more sensitive, it picks up more background noise compared to the detachable boom mic.
Comfort and Design
The Cloud III S features a lightweight design (just over 300g) and a comfortable clamping force (under 400g). The large earcups (62mm height, 42mm width) provide ample space, even for glasses wearers, though the leatherette pads can get warm and sweaty during extended use.
HyperX offers customizable magnetic plates for the headset, allowing users to personalize the look. The headset is available in red and black or all-black options.
Sound Quality and EQ
The Cloud III S boasts impressive sound quality, far surpassing its predecessor. The measurements show a well-balanced sound profile with strong bass and clear treble, competitive with high-end headsets like the Astro A50 Gen 5 and X.
A significant improvement is the inclusion of onboard EQ with the HyperX Ingenuity software, allowing for customizable sound profiles that are saved to the headset for persistent use across different devices. This is a notable upgrade from the older Cloud III's lack of onboard EQ.
Conclusion
The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless headset offers a compelling combination of comfort, immersive sound quality, and long battery life. The built-in EQ is a game-changer, allowing for personalized audio profiles. While lacking simultaneous Bluetooth and game-to-chat mix, it delivers a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
The headset excels in gaming, providing accurate spatial audio and clear sound. Its balanced sound profile also makes it suitable for music listening. The major drawbacks are the heat buildup from the leatherette earcups and the lack of some features found in competing headsets at a similar price point.