HyperX Cloud II Wireless vs Cloud II

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Differences Summary
Connectivity and Controls
Headphone Audio Quality
Microphone Audio Quality
Comfort and Build Quality
Verdict

Differences Summary

The HyperX Cloud II is a wired headset that can be used with either its 3.5mm cable or the included USB-A sound controller. The Cloud II Wireless only pairs to the included USB-A transmitter. It is compatible with the HyperX NGENUITY software.

In terms of sound, both have a similar frequency response curve, but the Wireless does not get as loud, and it has a contant audible hiss.

Controls

I tested both devices on PC and PS4, and the Cloud II on my Android phone. The Cloud II Wireless does not have Bluetooth functionality.

HyperX Cloud II (wired)

All the controls are located on the sound card including system volume buttons, mic volume, mic mute, and the 7.1 virtual surround sound button. You can take out the mic entirely, but you cannot remove the 3.5 cable.

HyperX Cloud II Wireless

There is a system volume wheel on the right ear cup. The left ear cup has a power button which if you tap toggles the 7.1 virtual surround sound on or off.

The mic mute button is under which will turn the mic red. This botton also controls the side-tone (mic monitoring) by holding it for a few seconds. Unfortunately, the side tone is so quiet that I found it completely useless. The mic itself is also detachable.

Lastly, there's a USB type C port for charging the device.

Headphone Audio Quality

Sound Quality Differences

Let’s start with the differences first. Just like most wireless versions of normally wired devices, the question here is really: how much worse is the Cloud II Wireless than the wired version?

In short, the sound signature (EQ curve) and clarity is pretty much the same, but the wireless is much quieter and it has a constant hiss from the electronic feedback.

The wireless version at max volume was like the Cloud II at 60% volume. It's not super quiet, but coming from the Cloud II it's a huge difference because that thing is crazy loud. The hissing sound, like the Astro A50, is permanent. Unfortunate.

Sound Quality Similarities

The sound signature on both of these definitely favors highs and especially upper mids. There's good clarity, but not quite as good as the Cloud Alpha or Sony MDR-7506.

What really makes these useful for FPS games is the boost to the upper mids around the 4kHz frequency range. This is where you'll hear footsteps the most in games such as Call of Duty and Valorant.

For that reason, the Cloud II wired had been my staple headset for Warzone, Cold War, and Vanguard until I got the Astro A40 TR which just has a more full sound overall.

But the EQ curve out the box on the Cloud II and Wireless are made for FPS games. The Astro A40 is way better for everything else, but it needs some EQ adjustments to get footsteps to stand out.

For my tastes, the Cloud II (and Wireless) is quite tinny and empty especially when listening to music. The vocals are thin, instruments aren't that full, and there's little bass. I know a lot of people like headsets like this, so if you do, you’ll enjoy this device.

NGENUITY, Virtual Surround Sound, EQ

Unlike the Cloud II, the Cloud II wireless connects to HyperX's NGENUITY software. It just gives you an interface to see and control what you already could on the headset itself. These being: virtual surround sound, mic volume, mic monitoring, system volume.

The software itself is incredibly buggy and often doesn’t detect my Cloud II wireless or even my other compatible devices like the Cloud Alpha S.

In addition, there’s no EQ software in NGENUITY, so outside of being able to see the 7.1 toggle, there’s not really any point in using it in its current state.

7.1 Virtual Surround Sound

If you’re thinking of buying the Cloud II or Cloud II Wireless for the 7.1 Surround Sound, don’t. And I say the same thing for every “gaming” headset. Attempting to slap on a tinny, echoey effect in post processing to headsets with only 2 drivers (stereo) is an insult to real surround sound.

At least the Cloud II Wireless has a much less jarring effect - it’s been toned down to maybe 20% of the obnoxious level of the wired version.

Equalizer Potential

Both devices can be used with EQ software like Equalizer APO to tune the sound to your liking, and the drivers are quite responsive to it. Unfortunately, the Cloud II Wireless is a pain to set up with it.

Whenever there's a firmware update you have to reinstall PEACE to it which means you have to restart your computer once for the HyperX software, and then again for PEACE. With the Cloud II you can just set it to your 3.5 mm port and never have to worry about it again.

Microphone Audio Quality

The Cloud II Wireless mic is slightly better, but neither are good. The tone is more full on the Wireless and it’s a bit clearer. The wired version is muffled, and the noise reduction filter enforced by the USB sound card is rough and adds compression.

The Wireless has a pretty strong noise gate that cuts out constant background noise, but it also cuts off the beginning and end of some of your sentences.

Comfort and Build Quality

Comfort and build quality is pretty much identical here. I have these both in the S tier of comfort along with the Astro A40 and A50. These are both super light, and the fake leather cushioning lets you forget they are even on your head.

The metal adjustment frames ensure longevity. I have many hours of gaming, music listening, and video editing with the Cloud II wired and it just keeps going.

The Cloud II wireless technically gets a win because it's not weighed down by the wire and the USB sound card.

Verdict

The Cloud II is a great FPS headset for the price. For other use cases, I think you're probably better off with the Cloud Alpha. If you're willing to spend more for a wired device - the Astro A40 TR is my primary wired headset.

I wouldn’t get the Cloud II Wireless because of its much lower volume and the feedback hiss, but I can see buying it if you really want the convenience.

Product Listings

HyperX Cloud II: https://amzn.to/3xvVKN0
HyperX Cloud II Wireless: https://amzn.to/3n1npCV

Differences Summary