HyperX Cloud II vs Razer BlackShark V2
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Overview and differences
Headphone audio quality
Microphone audio quality
Comfort and build quality
Verdict
Overview and differences
Razer BlackShark V2 (left) and HyperX Cloud II.
Overview
The HyperX Cloud II and Razer BlackShark V2 are gaming headsets. They both work as headphones and have a detachable mic. They have a non-detachable 3.5 mm audio cable.
They also come with a USB sound card that you can plug the audio cable into and the use the USB connection in a PC or console.
I bought my HyperX Cloud II for $92 and my Razer BlackShark V2 for $99. Click the links to see current pricing on Amazon.
Differences
Here are the key differences between the HyperX Cloud II and Razer BlackShark V2:
The USB sound card on the Cloud 2 gives it access to a 7.1 surround sound effect and headset and mic volume controls.
The USB sound card on the BlackShark V2 has no buttons, but it connects to Razer Synapse which has an equalizer and THX Spatial Audio.
The Cloud II has a more full sound when using the 3.5 mm headphone jack plug. The BlackShark V2 is more tinny in comparison with less bass.
The material used on both headsets is different. The Cloud II earcups and headband are soft leatherette. The BlackShark V2 cushions are harder and feel more like cloth.
Headphone Audio Quality
Mass Effect with the Cloud II.
Warzone with the BlackShark V2.
The HyperX Cloud II sounds far superior to the BlackShark V2 out the box.
For highs, mids, and lows, the Cloud II has a much fuller sound and it’s less harsh to listen to. It’s a clean sweep. However, both devices severely lack bass. Explosions have no impact, car engines have no rumble, and bass heavy music is empty on both headsets.
But this is where the BlackShark V2 gets an advantage.
The USB sound card that comes with the BlackShark V2 allows it to connect to Razer Synapse, giving you full equalizer control. You can tune the sound to be much better than what comes out of the Cloud II.
You can tune the BlackShark V2 to your liking.
Here’s the thing. You’re probably not supposed to do this, but I connected my Cloud II to the Razer USB sound card and with the ability to EQ that headset, it again sounds better than the V2.
But as of this writing, there’s no software from HyperX to EQ the sound of the Cloud II, so unless you already have a good sound card in your PC with a good EQ, the BlackShark V2 will sound better with Synapse.
HyperX Cloud II USB controller.
Razer BlackShark V2 USB sound card.
So here’s the simple answer:
The HyperX Cloud II sounds much better than the BlackShark V2 out the box. It just has better drivers inside. But the V2 can be tuned to sound better than the Cloud II with Razer Synapse.
I’d go with the BlackShark V2 for headphone quality because of Synapse.
Surround Sound
The blunt description here is surround sound on stereo headphones just isn’t good - yet. I don’t suggest using it on either the V2 or the Cloud II.
THX Spatial audio (accessible in Synapse) on the V2 it just makes all sounds feel a bit louder and closer.
On the Cloud II, the 7.1 surround sound effect adds reverberation, but also makes sounds that should only be coming from one channel loud in that channel but quieter in the other. If footsteps are coming from the left, you’d hear them loud in the left ear, and quieter in the right. This is kind of cool and more realistic in a way, but it doesn’t help tactically determine where opponents are better and all the echo doesn’t sound that great either.
Microphone Audio Quality
Both the Cloud II and BlackShark V2 mics have poor audio quality, but they do their job at eliminating background noise very well. Both mics lack clarity, but the Cloud II is especially muffled.
Razer Synapse effects and EQ can’t save the BlackShark V2’s mic quality. Tthe noise reduction effect is powerful, but it’s generally unnecessary and overly aggressive for this mic.
Comfort and Build Quality
The HyperX Cloud II is incredibly comfortable. I was able to use them for several hours without pain while wearing glasses and with dreads. The earcups are heavenly soft leatherette.
The V2’s padding is much harder and the headset doesn’t fit as snug as the Cloud II. I had to take a break after every hour with the BlackShark V2.
Both headsets have decent flexibility and can have their length adjusted. The Cloud II’s metal adjustment wire feels much more sturdy than the thin brackets on the V2, but in practice, they’ve both held up well.
The mute button is on the bottom of the left earcup of the V2, but it’s on the audio controller of the Cloud II.
The advantage to comfort and build qualty goes to the HyperX Cloud II.
Verdict
The Cloud II is a better headset, no doubt about it. The drivers are better and it’s more comfortable. I recommend the Cloud II if you’re playing on console. And also for PC users willing to download third party EQ software.
If you want a complete package headset out the box that’s paired with excellent EQ software, I recommend the Razer BlackShark V2. With the Razer Synapse program on PC, it sounds much better than the Cloud II’s default sound. The BlackShark V2 also has a slightly clearer mic.
Amazon Listings
Razer BlackShark V2: https://amzn.to/3vAICoi
HyperX Cloud II: https://amzn.to/3xvVKN0
