The short answer is yes – the HyperX Cloud MIX is an excellent headset for both gaming and music listening that delivers great sound quality, comfort and versatile wired/wireless connectivity at a reasonable price. Read on for a more in-depth look at why this headset stands out.
A Versatile Headset That Excels in Sound and Comfort
The HyperX Cloud MIX combines the superb audio and signature comfort HyperX is known for with the flexibility of both wired and wireless use. This gives you high fidelity sound with the freedom to easily switch between your home gaming setup and on-the-go use.
The Cloud MIX utilizes custom-tuned 40mm dual chamber drivers to deliver clear and accurate sound across the frequency spectrum. Many reviewers, like RTings, praise the headset‘s spacious and immersive soundstage along with the tight bass and crisp treble. Whether you‘re gaming, listening to music, or watching videos, the audio comes through with clarity and detail.
For wireless use, the headset connects via Bluetooth 4.2 up to 20 meters away. The sound remains impressive over the wireless connection with negligible latency. This makes the Cloud MIX perfect for PC, mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and more. You‘ll enjoy up to 20 hours of battery life for extended playtime before needing to recharge.
In terms of comfort, the Cloud MIX shines thanks to its lightweight design at just 275 grams. The memory foam ear cushions are soft and the leatherette material stays cool against your skin even during marathon sessions. The headband is adjustable and provides a cozy yet stable fit.
How It Compares to Other Headsets
Here‘s how the Cloud MIX stacks up to some competing wired and wireless headset options in terms of price, sound, and features:
| Headset | Price | Sound Quality | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HyperX Cloud MIX | $199 | Excellent with spacious soundstage and lively sound profile | Wired + wireless connectivity, detachable mic, 20hr battery life, onboard controls |
| SteelSeries Arctis Pro | $179 | Superb detail and position with DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround on PC | High-res certified, retractable mic, 24hr battery life, sleek steel headband |
| Logitech G533 | $150 | Very good with warm, robust sound in wireless mode | 16hr battery life, G-keys for macros, noise-cancelling mic |
| Corsair Void RGB Elite | $100 | Good with punchy bass but less soundstage | 16hr battery life, 7.1 surround on PC, RGB lighting |
As you can see, the Cloud MIX holds its own against the competition and justifies its price with superb audio, extended battery life, and cross-platform versatility. It lacks some bonus features like surround sound and RGB lighting but delivers better wireless sound quality than the cheaper Corsair and Logitech models.
Compared to the stellar SteelSeries Arctis Pro, the Cloud MIX isn‘t quite as high-resolution but it‘s more affordable while offering similarly strong wireless performance and long battery life. For shoppers seeking great sound from both a wired and wireless headset, the Cloud MIX is a top choice with a balanced set of features.
Key Specs
Before we dive deeper, let‘s quickly go over some key specifications of the HyperX Cloud MIX:
Driver Size: 40mm dual chamber
Frequency Response: 10Hz – 40kHz
Connection Types: Wired (3.5mm), Wireless (Bluetooth 4.2)
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
Weight: 275 grams
Microphone: Detachable boom mic + built-in mic for mobile
Compatibility: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, Mobile
Price: $199.99
In-Depth Review of the Cloud MIX
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s take a more detailed look at the Cloud MIX‘s design, sound quality, features, and other aspects that make it stand out as an exceptional headset.
Design and Build Quality
The Cloud MIX sports an all-black exterior with red stitching around the headband and ear cushions. The polished aluminum frame looks slick and feels durable enough to withstand daily use. The extendable steel slider headband is flexible and provides a secure yet gentle fit.
The ear cups feature plush memory foam cushions wrapped in leatherette, offering a good seal around your ears. The openings provide enough room to avoid pinching those with larger ears. The cushions aren‘t quite as deep as some over-ear models but remain comfortable for hours of use.
On the left earcup you‘ll find the boom mic port, USB-C charging port, 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth pairing button and status LED. The right earcup houses the intuitive onboard controls for power, volume, music playback, calls, and virtual surround sound.
The detachable boom mic captures voice clearly and is easy to remove when playing music or listening passively. The 1.3m braided audio cable includes a slim in-line remote for managing volume and calls while wired to your controller or PC.
Overall, the Cloud MIX boasts a quality feel thanks to the durable components and premium look. The comfort, intuitive controls, and connectivity options make it perfect for all-day gaming or multimedia use.
Immersive, Balanced Sound Profile
Powered by custom-tuned 40mm neodymium drivers, the Cloud MIX delivers excellent sound whether wired or wireless. Many professional reviews praise the spacious and clean audio reproduction.
The headset provides an immersive soundstage so you can pinpoint enemy movements in FPS games. Explosions and gunshots pack a satisfying punch. The lively sound also makes music, movies and videos engaging. Bass is deep yet tight, avoiding muddiness. Treble is clear and crisp. Mids come through with warmth and detail.
Compared to the Cloud Alpha, the Cloud MIX has a more open and airy presentation while the Alpha offers more sub-bass rumble according to reviewers. Overall, the sound quality lives up to HyperX‘s reputation for pleasing audio in a gaming headset.
In wireless mode, latency remains impressively low when watching video or gaming. The stability is also solid within the 10 meter range so you can keep moving around freely. The sound loses a touch of sharpness over Bluetooth but still retains excellent balance and power. For the ultimate audio experience, wired connection is recommended – but wireless holds up very well.
Noise isolation performance is about average for a closed-back gaming headset. Some ambient noise like nearby conversations may be audible but the earcups block a fair amount of background chatter and noise. Having active noise cancellation would‘ve been nice but isn‘t expected at this price point.
Overall, the immersive stereo sound makes gaming, music, movies a treat, whether wired or wireless. The lively audio profile caters to gamers who want powerful immersion or bass heads who like an extra kick in their music. Audiophiles may prefer a flatter response but can still enjoy the Cloud MIX.
Intuitive Controls and Connectivity
Ease of use is another strength of the Cloud MIX thanks to the intuitive onboard controls and dual connectivity options.
The onboard controls on the right earcup allow you to:
- Adjust volume
- Play, pause, skip tracks
- Toggle virtual 7.1 surround on/off
- Manage calls (answer/end/mute)
- Power the headset on and off
Having these controls right on the headset makes it easy to control your audio and call experience without fumbling for your connected device.
In terms of connectivity, you get the best of both worlds – wired and wireless:
Wired: Plugging the 3.5mm audio cable into your Xbox or PlayStation controller, PC, Nintendo Switch, or smartphone connects the headset for lag-free, high-fidelity sound with the boom mic handy for voice chat.
Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2 provides a stable, low latency connection to your phone, tablet, PC, or other Bluetooth transmitting devices. The range reaches up to 20 meters so you can listening while working around the house. Battery life lasts for around 20 hours of continuous playback before needing to recharge, an impressive duration.
The USB-C charging makes juicing up the headset convenient whether connected to your PC, a wall charger, or power bank. The quick charge feature provides 3 hours of use after just 15 minutes of charging.
Thanks to the wired and wireless support, you can easily use the Cloud MIX in a variety of gaming or entertainment scenarios:
- Gaming on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch in wired mode
- Playing on your PC wired for tournaments or wireless for single player
- Watching movies wirelessly connected to your tablet in bed
- Using the boom mic on your phone for mobile gaming with friends
- Enjoying music wirelessly while doing chores around the house
This versatility makes the Cloud MIX one of the most flexible gaming headsets available.
DNAmix Software Customization
When connected via USB-C or 3.5mm cable, you can download HyperX‘s free DNAmix software for Windows and Mac to tweak the sound and mic settings.
DNAmix allows you to:
- Switch between 4 audio presets like flat, bass boost, vocal clarity, and footsteps enhancer
- Adjust the audio equalizer
- Enable 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Adjust microphone volume and sidetone monitoring
- Update firmware
The ability to customize the sound and mic monitoring to your liking is a nice bonus not seen in most console gaming headsets.
Stellar Value and Versatility
Considering its premium sound, dual connectivity, long battery life, and cross-platform flexibility, the HyperX Cloud MIX offers tremendous value at around $199. Here are some examples of what you can enjoy:
- Console gaming with the 3.5mm cable on PS4, Xbox One, Switch
- Competitive online play on PC using the mic and custom audio presets
- 20+ hours of wireless gameplay or music while traveling
- High fidelity wired sound for critical listening
- Clear voice chat via the boom mic on mobile or PC
- Watching videos wirelessly in bed at night without disturbing others
- Seamless transition between wired and wireless modes
For desktop, console, and mobile use, the Cloud MIX has you covered. Its versatility combined with the comfortable fit and impressive sound cements it as one of the best headsets available for under $200.
The Verdict
So in summary – is the HyperX Cloud MIX a good headset? Absolutely. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Superb audio reproduction with lively sound and spacious staging
- Premium comfort from the memory foam and adjustable headband
- Intuitive onboard controls for volume, music, mic, calls, power
- Stable Bluetooth connection up to 20m with 20hr battery life
- Clear and easily removable boom mic for voice chat
- Wired and wireless connectivity for use with PC, consoles, mobile
- Customizable audio and mic monitoring via DNAmix software
- Durable aluminum build that can withstand daily use
- Reasonable price given the premium features and versatility
For both home gaming and on-the-go use, the Cloud MIX is an excellent headset. It nails the sound quality, comfort, controls, and dual connectivity options that modern users demand. Some minor shortcomings like average noise isolation don‘t detract much from the overall experience.
Considering its pleasing design, rich feature set, and reasonable price point, the HyperX Cloud MIX is easy to recommend. If you‘re looking for a flexible headset that can handle immersive gaming, music listening, clear voice chat, and mobility needs, put the Cloud MIX at the top of your list.