HyperX Cloud 3 finally made its debut, marking the end of an eight-year wait. Surprisingly, eight years have passed since the release of the HyperX Cloud II, and the brand has undergone a change in ownership during this period. Let’s explore the remarkable advancements it has achieved this time around!
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons
 PROS |  CONS |
|---|---|
| Improved design and aesthetics | No physical DAC buttons |
| Upgraded microphone quality | No included additional pads |
| Lightweight and ergonomic | HyperX Ingenuity software is basic |
| Comfortable fit with thicker pads | |
| Lightweight and ergonomic | |
| Angled driver baffle |
In 2015, HyperX launched the second generation of Cloud headsets, propelling their reputation to new heights. Over the past eight years, players have consistently praised the headset and witnessed the release of various models with diverse styles and features. This highlights the team’s ambitious nature and their exceptional development capabilities.
With the change in ownership, many players began to speculate about the possibility of a new generation of Cloud headsets and the extent of the changes it would bring.
Specifications
| HyperX Cloud III | |
|---|---|
| Released | May 30, 2023 |
| Driver | Dynamic, 53mm with Neodymium magnets |
| Form Factor | Over ear, circumaural, closed back |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-21kHz |
| Sensitivity | -42dBV (0dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz) |
| Frame Type | Aluminum |
| Ear Cushions | Memory foam and premium leatherette |
| Weight | 0.67lb |
| Weight with microphone | 0.70lb |
| Microphone type | Uni-directional, Noise-cancelling |
| Audio Controls | Onboard audio controls |
| Software | HyperX NGENUITY |
Features
Sleek and durable design:
The HyperX Cloud III features a slender and well-sculpted design compared to its predecessor, the Cloud II. It has a fork system design and an angled driver system for improved comfort and durability.
Upgraded microphone:
The Cloud III headset comes with a 10mm capsule microphone, offering better sound quality compared to the previous 6mm capsule microphone. It also features an integrated pop filter and a tap-to-mute button.
Enhanced sound quality:
HyperX has improved the sound profile of the Cloud III, making it even better than its predecessor. The headset offers a flat and smooth sound signature, providing an enjoyable listening experience for gaming and music.
Detachable USB-C cable:
The Cloud III comes with a detachable USB-C cable, which offers convenience and compatibility with various devices. The cable is made of high-quality nylon material and has minimal microphonics.
Analog volume control:
The headset features an analog volume wheel on the left side of the ear cup, allowing you to adjust the volume directly on the headset. This provides precise control over the audio levels.
Comfortable pads:
The Cloud III includes thicker leatherette pads for improved comfort and better noise isolation. The pads have vents for breathability and audio tuning. The headset is designed to fit most users comfortably, even those wearing glasses.
Angled driver baffle:
The Cloud III uses an angled driver baffle design, which improves soundstage and imaging performance. The angled drivers align with the natural angle of the ears, enhancing the overall listening experience.
No physical DAC buttons:
Unlike its predecessor, the Cloud III does not have physical DAC buttons. Instead, it features a USB cable on one side and a combo port (3.5mm) on the other side. This allows compatibility with various devices and eliminates the need for dedicated controls.
Lifetime license of Dolby DTS:
The Cloud III includes a lifetime license of Dolby DTS, providing a virtual surround sound experience. This ensures ongoing support and potential improvements in audio quality over time.
Light and durable:
Weighing only 304 grams, the Cloud III is a lightweight gaming headset. It features a flexible and durable design, with a metal dual hinge and a single-piece buckle. The headset is built to withstand extended gaming sessions.
Package Includes
When you first open the box, the HyperX Cloud III headset stands out with its striking red frame against the black packaging. Inside, you’ll find the headset, a Quick Start Guide, an accessory box, and some cables. The accessory box contains a 3.5 mm to USB Type-C/Type-A adapter cable and a detachable microphone.
Design and Build
The HyperX Cloud III has a lot of new design tweaks. The headband has been redesigned, and the frame of the headphones has been updated.
The earmuffs are softer and thicker, promising long hours of comfortable gaming. The top of the headband sports the HyperX brand name, but it’s a bit simpler than previous versions.
The earmuffs have a forward-leaning ergonomic design, ensuring they fit snugly over your ears. The transmission line exits from the bottom rear side, so it doesn’t obstruct you.The metal shells of the earmuffs are sturdy, and there’s an adjustable red bracket connecting the earmuffs to the headband. This means it can fit larger heads too!
Comfort
The headband is covered in leather, and there’s a thick foam inside to reduce any pressure on your head. The earmuffs are detachable and made of protein artificial leather. Inside, there’s soft foam ensuring a comfortable fit. However, because of the leather, it might feel a bit warm after prolonged use, especially in hotter climates.
Sound Quality
Inside the earmuffs, there’s a 53mm driver unit. While it’s similar to the previous model, HyperX has made some software tweaks. This means the sound is clearer and more solid. Plus, it supports DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio, giving you a more immersive gaming experience.
Controls
Unlike older models, the HyperX Cloud III has controls on the earmuffs. There’s a volume adjustment and a microphone switch. The volume control is on the right earmuff, while the microphone switch is on the left.
Microphone
The microphone is detachable and has been improved for clearer voice reception during gaming. It’s flexible, so you can position it close to your mouth. A cool feature is the light inside the microphone. When you mute the microphone, a red light turns on, so you always know if it’s on or off.
Compatibility
This headset can be connected to various devices like PCs, Sony PS4/PS5, Microsoft Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and any mobile devices with a 3.5 mm headphone jack or USB Type-C interface.
Frequency Response
The frequency response of the HyperX Cloud III gaming headset was measured using an analog connection from the headset directly into a DAC without any sound processing.
The sound signature of the headset shows a relatively flat response with a slight peak in the upper mid-range and treble frequencies.
The headset exhibits a reserved bass response, providing a smooth and easy-to-listen sound presentation.
When using the included USB DAC, the sound signature of the headset is further flattened, reducing the extra bass hump in the upper bass and lower mid-range region.
Hyper X NGENUITY
With the integration of Hyper X NGENUITY, the interface of the Cloud III becomes remarkably straightforward. Positioned from top to bottom in the lower left corner, you’ll find the volume and power switch, microphone volume and power switch, and microphone monitoring option (enabling you to hear microphone audio through the headphones). In the middle row, there’s a DTS:X switch and a convenient button to quickly access the Windows audio device settings. As for potential future additions, it remains uncertain. On the right side, you’ll find the audio switch along with various presets below. The first preset allows players to apply their own customizations. Finally, in the upper right corner, there’s a profile menu represented by a box icon.
In the setting file menu, players can set multiple sets of pre-set configurations, or for microphone volume, switch, or for earphone volume and control, etc. Simple imagination can be divided into daily use, music and games, and the pattern can be changed, which is regarded as The design is thoughtful and convenient. The author simply set the first group to be fully off and only the earphones, the second group to the microphone off, balance state, and the third group to DTS:X on and game mode.
In the audio adjustment interface, players can customize or modify the original parameters. After clicking Edit, you can find that the range provided is neither too much nor too little. It may be a bit less for players who require audio adjustment, but Compared with most mainstream headphones with regulation, regardless of earmuffs or true wireless, the range covered by HyperX Cloud III is quite large. Of course, the feeling of change is quite obvious. Sometimes it is really necessary to adjust a frequency to a comfortable position. It takes a long time to find it.
Similar Product
Gaming headsets that you can consider as alternatives to the HyperX Cloud III:
SteelSeries Arctis 7
- Wireless connectivity
- ClearCast microphone
- Comfortable fit
- DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound
Logitech G Pro X
- Detachable microphone
- Blue VO!CE technology for customizable voice filters
- Pro-G 50mm drivers for precise audio
- DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound
Razer BlackShark V2
- Triforce 50mm drivers for high-quality sound
- Detachable HyperClear Cardioid microphone
- THX Spatial Audio for immersive surround sound
- Comfortable memory foam ear cushions
Corsair Void RGB Elite Wireless
- Wireless connectivity with up to 40ft range
- Custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers
- Omnidirectional microphone
- Comfortable ear cups with breathable microfiber mesh fabric
Astro A50 Wireless
- Wireless connectivity with base station
- Dolby Audio for immersive sound
- Flip-to-mute microphone
- Comfortable fit with adjustable headband and ear cups
Conclusion!
The HyperX CLOUD series always aims to offer comfy gaming headphones with good sound at a fair price. The new HyperX CLOUD III sounds even better and still feels comfortable. It’s better than the older version, especially in how it lets you hear sounds from different directions. Even though both versions use DTS X technology for sound, the HyperX CLOUD III lets you hear more details in games. For gaming headphones priced under 99 USD, the HyperX CLOUD III is a strong choice.
