The HyperX brand is well known to Russian users. In many respects due to several lines of high-performance memory modules, as well as SSD-SSDs of the same name. But the American company Kingston Technology, which owns this brand, among other things, also produces quite good gaming headsets. I'd like to tell you about one of the new HyperX headsets called Cloud Drone today.
Headset HyperX Cloud Drone stands out among other models of the Cloud series in that it can boast a very democratic price. On the territory of Russia the gadget will go on sale as early as August 15 and will cost only 4000 rubles. Comparing the price tag with other models of HyperX headsets, we can say that it is practically a gift. If you've been thinking about purchasing a high-quality gaming-level headset from a well-known manufacturer for a long time, but are very limited in the budget, I strongly recommend that you read this review and make the right conclusions for yourself.
Traditionally, I begin my review with the study of packaging. A box with a gadget can tell a lot of interesting things, both about the device itself and the attitude of the manufacturer to the buyers. In this case, we have a cardboard box with a transparent plastic insert. From the text information on the front of the package we can get the following information: the official warranty lasts 2 years, the headset is certified for use with TeamSpeak application, and is also compatible with the current gaming platforms, including PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and even Wii U. Cloud Drone can be used even as a headset for a smartphone, though it will look somewhat ridiculous.
The back of the box in three languages tells about the key features of the headset. We will talk in more detail about each of them later.
Do you always carefully read the labels on the goods that you buy? I try to do it whenever possible, but even the most attentive person can overlook the tiny black sticker on the box with the gadget, which says: "This product can contain chemical elements that can lead to cancer and reproductive disorders." Scared? Do not be afraid. This sticker pays tribute to California's 1986 law, also known as Amendment 65. These stickers are applied to almost all products, one way or another related to chemical production, which includes cosmetics, kitchen utensils, clothes, artificial leather goods (our case, incidentally), jewelry and much more. The chance that the headset does contain some dangerous elements is practically zero. But the cunning American lawyers are habitually reinsured.
In the box, in addition to the headset, two sheets were found, one of which contained an information guide on the headset Cloud Drone, and the second - explained how the headset connects to computers and game consoles. You say: what there can be difficult? But here, for example, in order to pick up the headset for the Xbox One, you will first need to purchase a special adapter manufactured by Microsoft. In cases with other platforms, such complexities should not arise.
Here is the headset itself, fixed in a plastic substrate. The substrate is made of some very strange plastic, which literally falls apart in the dust, leaving red marks on the black plastic of the headset. Do not forget that the key word of this review is "budgetary". The creators of HyperX Cloud Drone tried to save on everything that is secondary to launch the most affordable model of their popular line of gaming gadgets to the market today.
Carefully remove the headset from the substrate. Its design is similar in many respects to other models of the Cloud family, but you immediately notice the absence of metal structural elements - everything is made of plastic. Again, the obvious solution is to save on production. And now let's see what this gadget can do to please its owner in addition to the low price.
The manufacturer pays special attention to the fact that this headset is ideal for the needs of video game lovers. It is convenient, devoid of frilly excesses, but at the same time it copes well with its main tasks. At the same time, the gadget weighs only 220 grams (along with the cable), which means that your head and neck will not fall prey to hours of battles in front of the monitor.
Condenser microphone on a flexible leg, you can arrange in front of the face as you like. At the end of the microphone is fixed a strong metal grill, performing the role of partial protection from the wind.
Due to the fact that the microphone is unidirectional, the creators of Cloud Drone managed to implement in the headset a system for cutting off extraneous noise. Even if there is an academic choir around you, your companions will only hear your voice. In general, the quality of voice transmission is very high. This is also indicated by the availability of TeamSpeak certifications and full compatibility with popular voice messengers such as Discord, Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble and Raidcall.
The mechanism for switching the microphone on and off is original. Turn it up in a clockwise direction, in the middle of the road hear a click - it means that no one can hear you in the game. Do you want to return to communication again? Simply lower the microphone down, after which your comrades again hear your voice. The microphone is fixed firmly enough, when you move your head, it does not hang out or jar. The headset, though plastic, but assembled on the conscience.
On the second cup of the headset is a rotating volume control. The implementation of this mechanism allowed developers to get rid of the external control panel, which, as a rule, only increases the cable. Rotates the plastic dial-regulator fairly smoothly and conveniently. This is facilitated by a deepening in the upper part of it, as well as a small protruding risk for better grip with your finger.
In the upper part of the headband a soft lining of red artificial leather and polyurethane foam is fixed. It evenly distributes the load over your head, eliminating any discomfort during the continued use of the gadget.
Unlike the older models of the Cloud family, the new headset can not boast of a metal shackle in the headband. Nevertheless, plastic elements in places of increased load were specially thickened, which makes them significantly stronger. The height of the headband is regulated according to the usual pattern. On each side you can increase the height by 4 centimeters. The plastic is marked with digital marks with a step of 5 millimeters so that you can remember the ideal values for you.
The ear pads are made of artificial leather and filled with foam with a memory effect. Exactly the same foam is used in more expensive models of Cloud headsets, so the developers decided not to save on it. The longer the headphones are sitting on your head, the better they fit, making use of the gadget even more comfortable. Sound insulation at a good level, but I can not call it ideal language. On the other hand, do not forget that we are dealing with a gaming headset, not with monitor headphones. Although even in this category of devices there are exceptions.
Inside each cup is a 40 mm speaker with a neodymium magnet. Such magnets are used in headphones of medium and high level, whereas in cheap models, as a rule, ferrite magnets are used.
The metro cable is hidden in a nylon braid, which will avoid twists and damages. The cable ends with a 4-pin 3.5 mm plug. Complete with the headset is also a two-meter extension cable, ending with two plugs, which you can insert into your personal computer. This is quite convenient. A short cable for use with game consoles (the plug is stuck directly into the gamepad), and the extension cable will come in handy in order to hold the headset to the system unit under the table. All plugs are covered with gilding.
It's time to talk about the sound. I was very worried that "budget" could have a very negative impact on the sound quality of the headset. It should not be forgotten that we are facing a gaming gadget, not headphones for connoisseurs of music and watching movies. At first, the sound seems dryish and even "flat", but having paired with the equalizer you can easily make the headset your best friend. Low frequencies sound as expressive as possible, medium frequencies are very good, but with high frequencies there are hardly tangible problems. The speakers produce great volume without any artifacts or tears.
The positioning of sound sources in video games works great. In popular computer shooters, it is immediately clear from which side the enemy creeps up to you. The microphone also behaves extremely smoothly, so that team-mates on the game will clearly hear each of your words, which will eventually lead the team to victory.
In console games, the headset also behaves nicely. I tested it only on the Sony PlayStation 4, because for Xbox One I did not have a suitable adapter for a 3.5mm plug. Well, in console shooters, the headset again proved itself very worthy. Positioning of sound sources, realistic shots and explosions, purity of speech when dealing with party members - all this makes Cloud Drone an excellent choice for fans of "games on the couch".
Equipment:
- Headset HyperX Cloud Drone
- Information guide
- User's manual
- Extension cable
Headphone Specifications:
- Color: black
- Headphone type: female, closed type
- Material: plastic
- Dynamics: dynamic, 40 mm
- Frequency response: 20-20000 Hz
- Impedance: 24 Ω
- Sound pressure level: 94 ± 3 dB SPL / mW at 1 kHz
- The coefficient of nonlinear distortion: <2%
- Input power: nominal 20 mW, maximum 100 mW
- Weight: 220 g (with microphone and cable)
- Cable: braided, 1 m + extension 2 m
Microphone Features:
- Element: electret condenser microphone
- Directional pattern: unidirectional, noise-canceling
- Current consumption: <500 μA
- Resistance: <2.2 kΩ
- Operating voltage range: 1-4.5 VDC . t
- Frequency response: 50-10000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -45 ± 3 dBV (0 dB = 1 V / Pa, 1 kHz)
Pros:
- Easy and convenient headset, designed for hours of game sessions.
- Convenient mechanisms to adjust the volume and turn on / off the microphone.
- Compatible with modern game consoles and applications for communication.
- Strong cable in nylon braiding with extension and gold-plated plugs.
- Dynamics with neodymium magnets and an impressive volume reserve.
- Quality directional microphone with noise reduction function.
- Very attractive price for the Russian market.
Minuses:
- Ears inside the leather ear cups inevitably mist over.
- The headset is made of inexpensive materials.
- Without equalizer adjustment, the sound is very simple.
Summarizing, I want to note that the creators of the HyperX Cloud Drone made almost impossible, releasing the most budgetary representative of the Cloud family to the market. Having sacrificed quality of packing, having saved on materials and unnecessary "rjushechkah", engineers and designers from Kingston have not forgotten about the most important thing. The fact that the gaming headset should provide excellent voice transmission during the game, a clear, well-positioned sound and it's comfortable to sit on your head for several hours to a row. Perhaps, in its class of devices and price category up to 4000 rubles, HyperX Cloud Drone simply does not have any worthy competitors.
The article is based on materials .
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