It’s amazing sometimes how quickly things can change. Back in 2014 when Kingston introduced their first gaming headset, the original Cloud, it was a little surprising. It didn’t take very long though before we started seeing them a lot at LAN events and people were talking very highly of them. The same for their Cloud II’s as well. Well the some of you might not know but the Cloud was licensed from Qpad with Kingston tweaking a few things on the sound engineering side of things. Well recently they introduced a new headset called the Cloud Revolver and this time around everything is designed in house. Today I’m going to check it out and see if it stands up to the very high standard that the original Cloud designs set.   

Product Name: HyperX Cloud Revolver

Review Sample Provided by: Kingston/HyperX

Written by: Wes

Pictures by: Wes

Amazon Link: HERE

 

Specifications
Headphone
Driver Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type Circumaural, Closed back
Frequency response 12Hz–28,000 Hz
Impedance 30 Ω
Sound pressure level 104.5dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
T.H.D. < 2%
Input power Rated 30mW, Maximum 500mW
Weight 360g
Weight with mic 376g
Cable length and type Headset (1m) + Audio Control Box (2m)
Connection Headset - 3.5mm plug (4 pole) + Audio Control Box - 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
Microphone
Element Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern Uni-directional, Noise-cancelling
Frequency response 50Hz-18,000 Hz
Sensitivity -40dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)

 


Packaging

The Revolvers come in a box similar to previous Cloud headsets. It’s a three-part box with two halves then a thick outside wrap. They once again have a black and red theme with what looks like clouds in the background on the front. In the foreground the Revolver is hovering. Up along the top edge they list that the headset supports PC use along with the Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, Mac, and Mobile. The branding is simple with the HyperX and Cloud Revolver branding up in the top left in a basic font. They do also slip in the normal HyperX logo down in the bottom right corner. Then they highlight the Revolvers Studio Grade Soundstage, Memory foam, Steel Frame, and Noise Canceling Mic on the front as well. The back of the box has a different angled photo that shows the other side of the headset as well as a few smaller photos that show things like the in-line controls and memory foam cushions.

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When you open everything up HyperX has taken a few notes from companies like Razer who focus on a premium experience. Inside of the top half of the box has a letter thanking you for joining the HyperX team signed by the HyperX General Manager. There is a information guide on top of the top foam. From there you get to the Revolver headset that is tucked away very safely in foam with the volume and microphone control featured in the middle.

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Photos and Features

One things for sure, the Revolver is a complete departure from the other Cloud headsets. For starters the Revolver is a suspension (Circumaural) headband design where the other Cloud headsets had a traditional headband. For styling the Revolver is a little more in line with the HyperX flashy futuristic look. Personally I think the old school simple design of the original Clouds was part of their charm but the Revolver doesn’t look to bad itself. The earcups have weird red lines in them that if you only look at the packaging would make you think the headset has backlighting, but it doesn’t. The main part of the Revolvers though is the aluminum frame that wraps around the earcups and up and over. It is stamped from about 19 gauge (about 1mm thick) aluminum and then given the arch. This is a little different than most suspension headsets where they normally use a few arched round beams. It is a lot like the SteelSeries Siberia Elite though, as it shares the same design. The earcups and the outside casing on the earcups are still made of plastic.

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The suspension headband has a large gap across the top that keeps the weight down and also gives us a peak at the HyperX logo embossed into the top of the soft band. The soft band is leather with red stitching to match the red and black theme. Most suspension headsets and headphones actually use a really flexible and thin headband that doesn’t require any padding and forms to your head. The Revolver looks like it does the same from the top but is actually has a thick layer of padding as well just to be safe over the extended gaming sessions, I will be very curious to see how comfortable they are in our testing.

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The earpads really don’t look any different than any other headset of decent quality. HyperX did make sure they used a nice memory foam here. The cups are very large with an inside width of about 2 inches and an inside height of just under 3 inches. The padding is covered in what they call premium leatherette aka imitation leather but it is very soft. Inside and not really visible here the Revolver has a 50mm driver in each ear with neodymium magnets. With a frequency response of 12Hz–28,000 Hz they go a touch lower in the lows and higher in the highs compared to both the Cloud and Cloud II. They are also rated for up to 500mW where the past designs capped out at 150mW. All in all, the Revolver seems to be a step up when it comes to the drivers.

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On the outside of the earcups we have a better look at the red dashes I was mentioning earlier that are in a circle around the earcups. Inside is the HyperX logo. Personally I think if they dropped the extra lines the Revolver would look great!

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From the bottom we can better see how the outside cups grip around the aluminum frame. Also down here we can see that the sleeved cable comes in on the left ear with a rubber grommet to keep it from getting chewed up. Just below that is the odd shaped plug for the detachable microphone that is also on the left earcup.

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Other than the small user guide and the headphones themselves, when you open up the Cloud Revolver this is what you get. The detachable microphone and a cable extender/adapter with the microphone mute and volume control on it.

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When I first put the microphone on the Revolver I was a little concerned, it seems a little longer than needed. Not to mention the microphone end is huge. Well the microphone is flexible so when bent it is about spot on for length. The microphone itself though is still huge on the end. It has the same 50Hz-18,000 Hz frequency response of the past Cloud headsets. The size could partially at least be due to them packing in the noise canceling. Both the front and back of the microphone actually look like they are sealed closed but the large vents that looked fake are actually just helping to protect the fibrous material that covers the openings to keep things safe and I assume cut down on wind and breathing noises.

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The in line microphone mute that I mentioned earlier is an optional accessory. In order for the Cloud Revolver to support all of those gaming consoles it uses a four pole single plugin the short end of cable (the first three feet). From there for PC users like myself you plug it into the adapter below. The adapter has the plug up top. From there on the front is a sliding microphone mute that has nubs for grips. Then on the side is has a volume control as well for the headphones.

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Audio Quality and Comfort

So for my testing I have been using the Cloud Revolvers off and on in the office from their launch. I have them hooked up to the Creative Labs X7 DAC that I tested a while back to make sure they are powered and get clean audio.

So to get things started, how do they fit my head?  Well the earcups are great, large and fit completely over my ears. The padding in the earcups is adequate but I do miss the softer felt earcup option from the Cloud IIs. The aluminum headband doesn’t push the earcups up against my head to much, that is an issue more often that I would like with some headsets that seem to only be designed with smaller heads in mind. The headband up top doesn’t have to much tension though with my big head they only really touch the top of my head over about 2-3 inches. This small surface area does put a big more pressure on that one section that I would like when I have the Revolvers on for a long period of time. All said and done I think they fit my larger head better than the original clouds but the older clouds are a bit more comfortable for me over long periods. It’s not by much though and frankly they are still more comfortable than most other headsets with maybe the Siberia v2s and the Cloud II’s being the only two headsets that I would prefer over the Revolvers.

The microphone performs really well, picking me up without me having to push it up close to my face. The noise canceling isn’t perfect but does seem to cut down the outside noise a little bit. When looking for a gaming headset I don’t really need the best microphone in the world but I do need it to be reliable and clear enough for my team to hear me the Revolver does both very well. With all detachable microphones I get a little concerned that they will get knocked off but this one is attached really well.  

Noise performance? Well I tested over weeks of everyday use. This is basically gaming all night and listening to music and movies while I write and work during the day. In both situations the Revolver was spot on. The new drivers required a little tuning to get them where I wanted them early on. The highs and lows were a little muted. Normally I like a flat sound but when I bumped the lows and highs up in my DAC they really came to life, especially with music. In game they were crisp and clear for my league games so I didn’t miss anything and when I got into some Black Ops 3 they help pull you in. Even in Ashes of the Singularity I was able to enjoy the kick ass soundtrack.

So were there any weird issues or things that stood out beyond the normal stuff we look at? Well I wasn’t originally a big fan of the single plug design on the cable. In fact, it wasn’t until I was sitting here writing about the cable that I realized that they had to use that style for the console support. I was just a little disappointed that I couldn’t drop the extra-long extension cable when I don’t need a long cord, but it’s worth it for the extra compatibility. Beyond that though there was only one other issue and it has been driving me a little crazy. The suspension headband design requires a spring loaded band to work. Well any time the band moves I can clearly hear it though the headphones, specifically through the aluminum frame that carries any touch, bump, or ping right into the earcups. It’s like the spring action needs lubricated. When I have music on I never notice it but the second I don’t have constant noise and I move my head around I notice it.

 


Overall and Final Verdict

Following up a headset like the Cloud/Cloud II is a tough thing to do. Especially when you are a company like Kingston/HyperX who is still working on cementing their brand in the gaming headphone market. The thing to keep in mind though is HyperX products have been constantly good for years now. They typically take their time getting into the market, don’t skimp on research, and they never bring out a poor quality product. So I’m not surprised at all that the Revolver is a good headset. What I wanted to know when I got into my testing though was is this an amazing headset. Well when it comes to audio quality it most certainly was. They sound amazing, especially with a little bump of the lows and highs. The microphone performed well as well. I love the huge earcups that completely cover my ears.

For construction, the aluminum headband gives me no doubt that I can throw the Revolver around in anger in the office and then pack them up over and over again for LANs. They are going to take the abuse. That said the aluminum frame also drove me a little crazy with how it would take every movement of the headband and push it right into the earcups. I’m hoping the issues with the springs in the headband are exclusive to my headset or maybe I’m just a little crazy (this is very possible). I also hope that if there is a Cloud Revolver II that they tone down the styling just a touch, the simple design of the Cloud headsets was what set them apart. I know they are a gaming headset but remember a lot of people think the “gaming” look is a little much.

So is the Cloud Revolver good enough to have the Cloud name? Yes. It’s not perfect but the huge earcups and great audio performance is enough to let me forgive a few issues. Currently with its price set just under $120 I was a little concerned but if they get the price down a touch closer to $100 or $110 I think they will do very well. You get the great comfort and amazing performance that people have come to expect from the Cloud headsets but with a little better frequency range and support for big headed people like me!

fv5recommended

Live Pricing: HERE

Author Bio
garfi3ld
Author: garfi3ldWebsite: http://lanoc.org
Editor-in-chief
You might call him obsessed or just a hardcore geek. Wes's obsession with gaming hardware and gadgets isn't anything new, he could be found taking things apart even as a child. When not poking around in PC's he can be found playing League of Legends, Awesomenauts, or Civilization 5 or watching a wide variety of TV shows and Movies. A car guy at heart, the same things that draw him into tweaking cars apply when building good looking fast computers. If you are interested in writing for Wes here at LanOC you can reach out to him directly using our contact form.

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garfi3ld's Avatar
garfi3ld replied the topic: #37927 25 May 2016 16:13
Today I check out the latest headset from HyperX, the Cloud Revolver.

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