HyperX Cloud Stinger review: Decent, affordable, versatile gaming headphones

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A short while back we reviewed the HyperX Cloud Pro gaming headset and it easily earned one of our Top Pick of 2016 awards. While we found it to be affordable at $99.99USD, not everyone can afford even that. Our HyperX Cloud Stinger review takes a look at a more affordable over-ear gaming headset from HyperX to see how it stands up as an alternative to more expensive headsets.

Specifications

The HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset has the following features and specifications:

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  • Lightweight headset with 90-degree rotating ear cups
  • 50mm directional drivers for audio precision
  • HyperX signature memory foam
  • Adjustable steel slider
  • Intuitive volume control on headset ear cup
  • Swivel-to-mute noise-cancellation microphone
  • Multi-platform compatibility
  • Driver: Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
  • Type: Circumaural, Closed back
  • Frequency response: 18Hz-23,000Hz
  • Impedance: 30 Ω
  • Sound pressure level: 102 ± 3dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
  • T.H.D.: < 2%
  • Input power: Rated 30mW, Maximum 500mW
  • Weight: 275g
  • Cable length and type: Headset (1.3m) + Extension Y-cable (1.7m)
  • Connection: Headset – 3.5mm plug (4 pole) + extension cable – 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
  • Microphone
    • Element: Electret condenser microphone
    • Polar pattern: Uni-directional, Noise-cancelingFrequency response: 50Hz~18,000Hz
    • Sensitivity: -40 dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)

What’s in the box

  • HyperX CloudX Stinger over-ear gaming headset
  • 1.7m extension Y-cable
  • Quick Start Guide
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What’s in the box…

Design

The HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset is largely constructed from hard matte black plastic. The headband features the HyperX wordmark logo imprinted across the top in a gloss black. The underside of the headband has a piece of HyperX’s signature memory foam covered by a soft leatherette finish. The ear cups are connected to it by way of a steel slider assembly. The headset is easily adjustable with 10 adjustment stops on each side.

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The HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset is easily adjustable.

The earcups themselves are attached via an inverted Y piece that allows them to rotate toward your head for a comfortable fit. The Y piece also rotates slightly forward and rotates a full 90° backward. On the outside of each earcup is the HyperX logo in red.

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The HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset side view.

The microphone is attached to the left earcup and swivels up and down. While it’s not removable, swiveling it fully up will mute the microphone and keep it nicely out of the way when you aren’t using it. The microphone itself is adjustable by way of its bendable soft plastic arm. The soft coated 3.5mm cable extends out of the bottom of the left ear cup. The cable attaches to Xbox One controllers (with a 3.5mm port or with the Xbox Audio Adapter for those without), a PlayStation 4 controller, computer with a combo mic/headphone jack, and smartphones with the 4-pole jack. If your computer has a separate mic and headphone port, you can attach the included 1.7m extension Y-cable which has separate microphone and headset jacks.

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The non-removable microphone is attached to the left earcup.

On the underside of the right earcup is where you’ll find a volume control slider for easy access to turning your volume up or down. Pushing the slider all the way back gives you full volume while sliding it all the way forward decreases the volume to zero, effectively muting the headphones.

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A volume slider can be found on the bottom of the right earcup.

Finally, the ear pads themselves are made from memory foam and are covered with the same leatherette finish as the underside of the headband. They fit nicely over my ears and definitely added comfort for extended listening sessions.

HyperX-Cloud-Stinger-review-06
The leatherette covered HyperX memory foam ear pads are comfortable for extended gaming sessions.

While the design is still there, you’re definitely sacrificing a few extras and quality over the HyperX CloudX Pro gaming headset like a braided cable, removable mic, extra ear pads, and a carrying case. For the price, though, the design on the HyperX Cloud Stinger headphones is more than adequate.

Sound

So just what kind of sound do you get for the price? I have to admit that I stopped judging headphones based on the price a long time ago, and for the most part the HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset reaffirms that choice. The sound put out by the headset is definitely crisp and clear, and depending on what you use it with can be quite loud. I tested them on the Xbox One, a laptop, and a couple different smartphones (the Nexus 6P and the Moto Z with the USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter).

While the sound was clear, crisp, and fairly balanced in both games and while listening to music or watching videos, they definitely lack on the bass side. This was easily fixed with the equalizer on the smartphones, but unfortunately there’s no real way to adjust tonal range on the Xbox One. It wasn’t a big issue, but I do like my bass and it was noticeably missing while playing games like Forza Horizon 3 and Sniper Elite 4. Still, for the price, I was pleased overall with the sound.

Microphone/Voice Quality

Microphone and voice quality is obviously a big requirement for gaming headphones these days. When testing the HyperX Cloud Stinger in voice chat and gaming sessions on the Xbox One, other people in the party had no complaints about being able to hear me clearly over the noise-cancelling microphone. While there is no mic monitoring on the headset and while the Xbox One settings allow you to adjust for it, you may be stuck with the default mic levels on other systems depending on your setup.

Price/Value

With an MSRP of $49.99USD, you’re getting a pretty solid pair of versatile gaming headphones. If you can afford it, I would recommend the HyperX CloudX Pro gaming headset, but if you can’t the Cloud Stinger should do just fine.

Wrap-up

If you can’t or are unwilling to shell out a lot of your hard earned cash for a gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Stinger is definitely a versatile, decent sounding, comfortable gaming headset that won’t break the bank.

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*We were sent a sample of the HyperX Cloud Stinger for the purposes of this review.
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