Kingston's launch of a line of gaming headsets under the HyperX brand can be called one of the exemplary examples of how it is necessary to enter new markets for a manufacturer. Developed in partnership with QPAD, the HyperX Cloud series has received a lot of praise from both gaming journalists and end consumers. Do not forget that different variations of Cloud are also the basic weapon for professional e-sportsmen from Na’Vi, SK Gaming, Team Liquid, Titan, Luminosity Gaming and other multi-gaming organizations.

Inspired by success, the American vendor soon presented the updated Cloud II and Cloud Core to the public, and a year later announced the first completely independent development in this direction - the Cloud Revolver headset. Thus, fans of the brand were given a choice of a total of four models in the price range from 65 to 120 dollars. For those who have a more modest budget, but continue to look for high-quality sound in games, today we will tell you about a new product that has received the status of the most affordable solution in the series.

HyperX Cloud Stinger, like Revolver, is the embodiment of the design thoughts of the engineering team from Kingston Technology. When developing the new product, the needs of the gaming community were brought to the fore, as evidenced by the visual design elements, ergonomics and sound features of the device.

Headphones	HyperX Cloud Stinger
Manufacturer's website	hyperxgaming.com
Audio channels	2.0
Speakers, mm	50 mm, with neodymium magnets
Operating principle	Closed
Impedance, Ohm	30
Frequency range, Hz	18-23 000
Nominal sound pressure level, dB	102±3
Connection interface	4-pole mini plug (3.5 mm) / double stereo mini plug (3.5 mm)
Weight, g	275
Cable length, m	3 (1.3 m + 1.7 m extension)
Compatibility	PC, Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, Mobile
Microphone
Sensor type	electret condenser microphone
Frequency range, Hz	50-18 000
Sensitivity, dB	-40
Price	$50

As for the technical characteristics, after reading the table it becomes obvious that the filling differs from that used in Cloud Core/Cloud/Cloud II. We still have a pair of neodymium magnets in front of us, but their diameter is now 50 mm instead of 53 mm. The frequency range of the headphones is from 18 to 23,000 Hz, and the impedance has been reduced from 60 to 30 ohms. The price has also changed. The retail price at the start of Cloud Stinger sales is stated at $50 (or 1399 UAH), while the basic version of Cloud Core can now be found in online stores for approximately $65. In monetary terms, the difference is small, but for some this may be the deciding factor when choosing between two models.

Packaging and equipment

Despite its budget, Cloud Stinger comes in a solid box made of colored cardboard. At the top you can see a mark indicating that the headset is compatible with all current platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, as well as mobile devices. On the back of the box are painted key features and in comparison with most competitors.

Inside there is another box made of thick cardboard, designed to reliably protect the device during transportation. The amount of sealing material is so large that you don’t have to worry about the safety of the contents, even if delivery is carried out by regular postal service.

The delivery set is minimal and consists of a 1.7 meter extension cord, which also serves as an adapter from a 4-pin mini-jack to two separate 3.5 mm plugs, a brief instruction manual and a paper booklet telling about other devices of the brand HyperX.

Appearance and ergonomics

The appearance combines design elements of the classic Cloud Core and the massive Cloud Revolver. The headset retained its small dimensions, but at the same time aggressive notes were added to its design, which should emphasize its belonging to the gaming series. The decision to leave the microphone non-removable seems somewhat controversial, which significantly limits the scope of the new product. It’s quite difficult to imagine a person walking down the street listening to music through the Cloud Stinger, although of course the Razer BlackShark is still far from being shocking.

One of the features of the review hero is the earcups that rotate 90 degrees. This makes the headset shape more versatile and provides more comfort during extended use. The ear pads completely cover the ear, and devoting 4-5 hours of continuous gameplay to your favorite game will not be difficult.

The cups themselves are now plastic, like the rest of the body, with the exception of the metal arc passing through the headband.

The second interesting point is the sound volume control located on the right earcup. After a short period of adaptation, the hand automatically reaches for it and the process of use itself seems completely natural. We can only hope that such a control unit will avoid problems with possible failure, which are typical for similar remote controls located directly on the cable connecting to the PC.

If we talk about the cable, it comes out of the left cup and is covered with a rubber braid.

The complete ear pads are made in the shape of ovals and use black artificial leather as the finishing material. Their internal diameter is approximately 65x42 millimeters. The quality of sound insulation can be described as average.

On the inside of the headband there is a polyurethane foam lining with an anatomical memory effect. Its thickness is slightly greater, and its structure is somewhat softer than that of Cloud Core, thanks to which the headphones sit more comfortably on the owner’s head and do not create excessive pressure. On the reverse side you can see the already familiar HyperX brand logo.

For additional adjustment, each earcup of the headset can be moved back by 12 fixed divisions.

The third distinguishing feature of the Cloud Stinger relates to the easy way to turn the microphone on and off, and also explains the reason for its monolithic design. In order to mute the microphone, you just need to lift it up, which you automatically do when removing the headset from your head. The option is interesting, although those players who have been using the voice services TeamSpeak, Ventrilo and the like for a long time will most likely remain faithful to the hotkeys that were previously used.

The microphone base is movable and also equipped with anatomical memory. Here you can easily set the bend or angle of inclination that will be most convenient for the owner.

It's disappointing that there is no foam pad at the very end of the microphone, which can result in wind sounds from the window or other extraneous noise leaking into the air.

Overall, the quality of materials and build quality of the Cloud Stinger leaves a positive impression, especially considering the low price of $50. The overall design does not seem flimsy, there are no creaks or gaps, everything fits well and is secured, the plastic is matte and does not attract fingerprints. The device is pleasant to hold and use.

Sound quality and user experience

At the beginning of the material, I mentioned that in Cloud Stinger the North American manufacturer tried in every possible way to strengthen the gaming component of its product. This is reflected both in ergonomics and in the specifics of sound. But first things first. Let's start with ease of use. Playing Cloud Stinger for many hours is really very convenient, because with a weight of only 275 grams and thanks to the movable cups, the headset is practically not felt on your head. If you are part of a team or clan, you can be sure that by the end of the training session you will not have a feeling of discomfort or excessive pressure in the ears.

As for the sound, it looks like the developers from Kingston Technology decided to repeat the same technique that SteelSeries engineers used in the 5Hv2 and the first generations of Siberia headsets. It lies in the fact that the frequency response is noticeably dominated by mid and high frequencies and the lows are practically absent. The positive side is that in gaming applications the user can benefit from it. You begin to clearly hear not only the movements of opponents, but such micro-sounds as switching the optical sight of an enemy sniper in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or the sound of spell casting in Dota 2. The downside of such settings is that Cloud Stinger is not the best for listening to music , especially if the track has a lot of bass. It is also worth noting that Cloud Stingers are unpretentious to the sound source and for their full operation the capabilities of the built-in Realtek ALC887 or higher audio codec are quite sufficient.

The quality of the microphone can be rated four. Your interlocutors will easily recognize your voice in the game’s voice chat or in separate communication programs. In this case, it would be advisable to set the microphone response threshold to minimize the capture of third-party noise during a conversation.

Conclusions

Kingston has expanded its headset lineup with another model with clear gaming positioning and a low price. Cloud Stinger is well suited for any type of gaming battles, where the user will receive a high level of comfort and can easily track any movements of enemies and other important sounds of game mechanics. The headset debuted several interesting innovations, such as an audio control located on the right ear cup and automatic muting of the microphone when the latter is raised to a vertical position. Time will tell whether they will take root, but my first impressions of use were very positive.

The main problem for the Cloud Stinger lies not in the device itself, but in its closest competitor from the same Kingston - HyperX Cloud Core. The difference in price at the start of sales between the two models will be minimal, while Cloud Core is a more balanced solution and is well suited not only for games, but also for listening to music or watching movies. The choice of the future owner will depend on whether he wants to get more comfort and additional “chips” that the Cloud Stinger will provide him, or whether versatility is important to him and then the scales, even taking into account the higher price, will tip towards the Cloud Core.

Back in 2002, Kingston Technology released a line of high-performance storage devices called HyperX, but the brand of the same name focused on gaming products only 12 years later - the production of high-tech headsets and e-sports accessories began only in 2014. Despite its youth, the HyperX brand has rapidly conquered the market: today its headphones are the official products of world-class professional teams such as Alliance, Team Liquid, Natus Vincere, Luminosity Gaming, CNB E-sports Club, SK-Gaming and Renegades.

The HyperX Cloud Revolver, Cloud Core and Cloud II models in the price range from 4.5 to 10 thousand rubles are particularly popular with consumers. The most affordable solution in the series is the new Cloud Stinger headset - its cost ranges from 3-5 thousand rubles, depending on the appetites of retailers. Will it be able to supplant its older “brothers” in terms of sales?

Specifications

• Headset: HyperX Cloud Stinger HX-HSCS-BK/EE
• Headphone type: over-ear, gaming headset
• Attachment method: headband
• Type acoustic design: closed
• Emitter membrane diameter: 50 mm, with neodymium magnets
• Design: foldable, rotating ear cups, adjustable headband, wraparound ear pads
• Sound scheme format: 2.0
• Resistance (impedance): 30 ohms
• Minimum playable frequency: 18 Hz
• Maximum reproduced frequency: 23,000 Hz
• Power: 500 mW
• Sensitivity: 102 dB
• Microphone: yes, directional, located on the headphones, the mount is movable, there is a noise reduction function and rotary mute
• Microphone sensitivity: 40 dB
• Microphone frequency range: 50–18,000 Hz
• Headset connection: wired
• Connector: 2 x mini jack 3.5 mm, straight shape
• Cable: non-detachable, length - 1.3 m,
• Extension cable included: included, with 3.5 mm stereo and microphone plugs, length - 1.7 m
• System active noise cancellation: No
• Volume control: on earphone
• Function keys: no
• Color: main - black, there are red inserts and elements
• Weight: 275 g
• Price (at the time of review): from 3,050 rubles

Packaging, delivery and appearance

The headphones are packaged in a fairly compact cardboard box (24 x 27 x 7 cm) in black. On top there is a colorful paper cover with the name and image of the product. Inside there are instructions, under which the headset itself lies in a foam “form”. There is a small covered compartment at the front for an extension cable.
The headphones are black, non-shiny, with glossy HyperX embossing on the headband and red logos on each earcup. A flexible microphone is attached to the left, which rotates from the inactive position “parallel to the headband” to the working position - at the mouth. On the bottom right is the volume slider. The cups are movable - rotate 90°. Soft cushions on the ear pads, covered with black leatherette, provide a snug fit. There is also a soft pad under the headband, the dimensions of the arc are adjustable. It is worth noting that the base of the mechanism is metal, not plastic, which increases the reliability of the design.

The plastic of the headset is matte, quite pleasant to the touch and not slippery. The cable is thick, covered with insulation and almost tangle-free. There are no special design refinements in the design: the Cloud Stinger is a purely utilitarian thing. But there is nothing to break here, unless the owner, from an excess of emotions, forcefully throws the “ears” into the wall.

Control

Cloud Stinger does not have any special connection requirements: it is compatible with PC and Mac, smartphones and tablets, as well as game consoles Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Wii U. The headset has a relatively low impedance value (30 Ohms), so for full operation (on PC) a built-in audio codec Realtek ALC887 or higher is sufficient. Using a software utility, you can configure Surround emulation. However, you shouldn’t expect any wow effect: after all, the Stingers are ordinary stereo headphones.

The volume control is located right on the earpiece, so you don't have to stop while playing to go to the sound settings. You can quickly turn the microphone on and off by changing its position: lift it up - turn it off, lower it - you can talk again. Very convenient!

Sound

Cloud Stinger is a headset created for gamers, so it has specific sound features. The basis of the reproduced audio is mid and high frequencies. The lows are harsh, accentuated and far from musical, but they perfectly convey the sounds of explosions, gunshots and other gaming backgrounds. All sorts of small game sounds are well developed, such as enemy steps, the knock of a ball, the clang of a weapon, changing a clip, the ringing of a dropped pin, or the sound of a spell being cast.

The headset does not produce disorienting noise: the sounds are well separated from each other, which helps to navigate the game. Positioning is satisfactory: for example, you can accurately determine whether opponents are being picked up on the right or left. But when something happens from above or below, some disorientation occurs.

For listening to music, the Cloud Stinger is a stretch: it can’t produce the filigree nuances of complex compositions, because the sounds of cyber battles require different, sharper accents. No, the average user can easily listen to music or watch a movie with these headphones without experiencing much discomfort. (After all, you can get into the equalizer.) However, action and horror movies sound very atmospheric in a gaming headset!

The ear pads provide good noise insulation: you are not disturbed by external sounds, and you are not disturbed by those who are in the same room with you.

Microphone

The HyperX Cloud Stinger microphone is non-removable, so walking down the street in this design will make you look a little strange. Not only the height of the microphone is adjustable: the movable base has anatomical memory, so you can easily set the optimal bend.

The sound of the player's voice did not cause any particular complaints - everything is audible, the diction is clear, the person is recognizable. The only thing is that there is no foam pad on the microphone, so extraneous noises, such as breathing, snoring or wind blowing through the room, can leak into the air. For optimal sound, we recommend adjusting its sensitivity separately.

Ergonomics

Cloud Stinger feels very comfortable on the head: not heavy, does not press, and does not dig into the skin. The only thing is that after a couple of hours you begin to clearly feel that your ears are sweating. The design is both flexible and reliable: you don’t have to worry that the microphone or rotating cups will instantly come loose. The matte surface does not get dirty or covered with fingerprints, so the headset looks neat even after several weeks of use.

Results

Cloud Stinger is a high-quality and reliable gaming headset without fancy additional functions or design frills. HyperX has created a worthy model in the affordable budget segment: low price does not threaten loss of quality. The model offers the user exclusively targeted functionality: great for games, but not designed for watching movies and music. (However, the sound quality can make only those with keen ears and professional musicians indignant.)

Pros:

• pleasant gaming sound with the right accents;
• unpretentiousness in matters of interfacing;
• the ability to turn off the microphone by simply raising it;
• volume slider on the earphone;
• good sound insulation;
• robust construction;
• affordable price.

Cons:

• there is no foam pad on the microphone to absorb extraneous noise;
• ears sweat.

A universal headset - such that you can play with friends, watch movies, and listen to music - is already a problem. Depending on the task, almost opposite parameters of speakers and sound characteristics are required. And when it comes to a smart headset for a reasonable price, then it’s just right to grab your head with both hands: so that hitting the wall won’t hurt so much.

However, interesting options are slipping onto the market. And today we have one of them in our hands.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

In 2017, headsets from HyperX confidently took second place in the popularity ranking. When the design is not done by people with an Asian craving for everything shiny and bright, but by a strong team of engineers and designers with good artistic taste, the products turn out to be reliable and attractive. Add here a reasonable pricing policy with good filling, loyal warranty conditions - everything will fall into place.

We have already reviewed the “regular” Stingers. At the time of release, it was the most affordable headset in the HyperX line, and with a unique design. Yes, the design has practically no power elements made of metal, and matte black plastic bears little resemblance to exquisite veneer with multi-layer varnish, but the main thing, the main thing is functionality. In the “basic” Core edition, the ratio of capabilities and price is taken to the limit.

Strong as a Kalashnikov assault rifle

A moderately flexible, moderately durable, fairly lightweight body is what you need for a gaming device. It is not afraid of falls, nor is it afraid of the adversities of camping life (backpacks, proximity to heavy laptops, careless attitude towards luggage) - small scratches and abrasions are barely noticeable. The sliding mechanism is incredibly simple, but it works like a clock. The cable is braided with fabric, not detachable (saving, after all), but strong enough to withstand jerking, winding, and smartphones/gamepads hanging on it during awkward handling. The connection has also been changed - now it bifurcates and leads to both cups. Saving. In general, everything that could be done for reliability without sacrificing price has been done. HyperX Cloud Stinger Core survives harsh conditions without any problems.

The Core version differs from the regular edition in its color accents: instead of the classic red, it is paired with a rich blue tint. With peripherals from PS4 it looks like native. It works, by the way, too. It also works well with Xbox: there is both voice communication and sound. The control panel can adjust the volume and mute the microphone, is located on the wire, is protected from accidental operations - everything is done wisely.

Comfortable as possible

Soft polyurethane memory foam? Eat. Micro-perforated leatherette that allows water and air to pass through? Not this time. Instead, today there is durable fabric with perforated repeat - it is not afraid of wear, it breathes well. The ear pads are probably the best in the class. Soft, light, not pinching the ear, adapting to the owner. Your head won’t get sweaty under them even at +30 - yes, you will, of course, sweat, but there will be no wet spot under the headphones - moisture will easily pass through the black synthetic material, the porous seal and will be released with the air flow into the open space atmosphere.

Noise insulation was not affected: the ear cups are pressed against the skull with moderate force, and the material of the ear pads absorbs sound waves well. At reasonable volume levels, you won't hear others, and they won't hear you. Content comes first.

The command is given to everyone

The microphone part in HyperX headsets has remained unchanged for many years: depending on the model, designers invent new housings and redesign the boom with a sensitive element, but “under the hood” everything is stable! A highly directional electret (i.e. condenser) microphone with passive noise reduction is what you need for games and voice communications. The operating volume range is huge: you can communicate in a half-whisper at night, or cackle in broad daylight. No clipping, no noise, no extraneous sounds on the air.

Music and games

Why not talk about sound - after all, we are discussing a headset, not a new refrigerator. Since the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is primarily a gaming device, the sound character is appropriate. There are a lot of low frequencies, explosions and shots sound as they should. The mids are slightly suppressed - at medium and low volumes they will be just right, at high volumes they will be slightly lacking. Tall ones, like short ones - with their heads. The ringing of shell casings, the crunch of branches under the awkward steps of opponents, the squeal of frustrated youngsters in Overwatch - an A plus.

In single-player games, you don’t have to touch anything at all; special effects and character speech sound balanced and clear. In multiplayer, most likely, you will want to use an equalizer to adjust the frequency balance to suit the conditions that are comfortable for you, so that you can hear enemies a mile away, communicate without problems, and not be distracted by unnecessary sounds. The stereo effect is quite pronounced, you can navigate “by ear”, the main thing is habit and practice. There are no problems with movies or games. Music... Well, hardly anyone will listen to Tchaikovsky with such headphones, but the speakers can handle guitar cuts, drum cuts and angry vocals without any problems. Rap and hip-hop, which are fashionable these days (once again), thanks to the abundance of low frequencies, sound as they should: loud, bold, with a characteristic atmosphere.

Equipment and characteristics

Core editions of HyperX headsets are minimalism in all possible forms. The packaging is as simple as possible, nothing superfluous inside, all to reduce the price without compromising the functionality of the device itself. Therefore, inside the black cardboard and plastic blister there is only a headset and a warranty. The connection is via a one and a half meter cable with a four-pin mini-jack, a splitter into two connectors - “microphone” + “headphones” - is up to the future owner, if, of course, he needs it at all. Most modern gaming hardware still has a hybrid connector.

Headset

What, where, how much

The start of sales has already passed, the headset is available in the Russian Federation exclusively in DNS networks. The price is the most affordable, 3500 rubles. In Ukraine, HyperX Cloud Stinger Core can be found in the stores rozetka.com.ua and 3ona51.com, you will have to pay 1200 hryvnia.

Over the course of several years, HyperX, a division of Kingston, managed to gain popularity among gamers and make the brand one of the leading brands in the peripherals segment. The history of the developers dates back to the release of the promising gaming headset HyperX Cloud in 2014, laying the first stone for a line of high-quality accessories that is popular today.

Since then, the HyperX product line has expanded significantly and expanded to include a variety of peripherals.

But the developers not only haven’t forgotten, but also continue to work hard to improve and promote high-quality gaming headphones. And today we'll talk about the HyperX Cloud Stinger, a focused headset that aims to satisfy the needs of the most demanding gamers.

Specifications

Headphones

Speaker: dynamic (50 mm) with neodymium magnets;
Type: female, closed type;
Frequency response: 18 Hz – 23000 Hz;
Resistance: 30 Ω;
Sound pressure level: 102±3 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz;
Harmonic distortion factor:< 2%;
Input power: nominal 30 mW, maximum 500 mW;
Weight: 275 g;
Cable length and type: Headset (1.3 m) + Y-extension cable (1.7 m);
Connection: Headset – 3.5 mm plug (4-pin) + extension cable – 3.5 mm stereo and microphone plugs.

Microphone

Element: Electret condenser microphone;
Directional pattern: Unidirectional, noise canceling;
Frequency response: 50Hz~18000Hz;
Sensitivity: -40 dBV (0 dB=1 V/Pa, 1 kHz).

Packaging and equipment

The proprietary packaging design of HyperX Cloud Stinger allows you to identify the manufacturer from the first seconds of acquaintance with the gaming peripherals. The dark scarlet design of the box with an image of the headset is emphasized by the brand logo and a brief but accurate description of the main advantages of the model.

On the back of the package, HyperX developers present a descriptive part about the Cloud Stinger product in a convenient format, marking each aspect with a sticker with a signature in five different languages, including Russian. Of these, the headset supports a rich list of voice clients. In addition to the length of wires for connection, a warranty of a considerable 2 years is indicated.



In the box you can find a list of accessories, which is a bit of a rarity: usually, except for the headphones themselves, the package is empty. The developers thank you for purchasing HyperX products, expressing their feelings with a warm letter; you can also find a short guide on using the headset with technical characteristics and a 1.7 m splitter cable for using the standard microphone.

Appearance and Design

You can get acquainted with the HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset without even taking it out of the box. The manufacturer carefully packaged the device in an unfolded form made of soft foam material.

HyperX Cloud Stinger has a minimalist, strict body design and an attractive appearance. Thanks to the absence of unnecessary elements and almost glossy inserts, the model looks quite decent and will definitely find its user.

HyperX Cloud Stinger is a classic headset in this category. The device is distinguished from headphones by the presence of a microphone on the left earcup with a flexible attachment. The structure is non-removable and rigidly fixed to the body.

The microphone has a noise reduction function, which allows you to reduce extraneous sounds coming from the gamer’s environment and not pollute the air of your teammates. Its distinctive feature is the rotary shut-off mechanism. The deflection angle is 110°, while the MIC is turned off halfway through the rod stroke with a characteristic light click that can be felt tactilely.

Despite its minimalist appearance, the right earcup of the HyperX Cloud Stinger is also tricky: it is equipped with a volume rocker.

The regulator is conveniently located at the bottom of the case, which is easy to adjust with your thumb. It is worth emphasizing that this operation will require lifting the right hand from the mouse, which will distract the gamer from the gameplay for a couple of seconds.

The design of the HyperX Cloud Stinger case is dominated by matte, rough plastic, but the user should not be intimidated by the thought of the durability of the headset. Inside, the structure is reinforced with a metal plate, which increases the already high level of rigidity. In addition to good wear resistance and good dust resistance, the HyperX Cloud Stinger leaves virtually no traces of human activity: fingerprints, sweat, etc.

For convenient and comfortable wearing, the inner part of the headband is equipped with a convex insert made of leatherette with soft filling.

Thanks to its good location and material, the upper part of the HyperX Cloud Stinger case is fixed quite well on the head, does not slip off and does not exert excessive pressure.

One of the features of the HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset is the comfortable and large ear pads, which, according to the developers, have “proprietary memory foam.” In general, they are made of high-quality leatherette with a plastic filler, which ensures soft and tight contact. This almost completely eliminates the entry of external sounds.

For convenience, the ear pads are removable, which allows you to periodically clean and replace them.

They hide 50mm directional drivers with neodymium magnets that provide a realistic picture game world and transmission of the environment. It is worth noting that practical measurements noted the diameter of the devices to be 45 mm.

Inside the left bowl there is a chamber with a volume control board, a compartment with neodymium magnets and a speaker, and a mesh insert to dampen vibration and extraneous noise. There was also a place for attaching excess wire, so to speak, built-in cable management.

Personal impressions

The distinctive advantages of the HyperX Cloud Stinger are thoughtful ergonomics and modern low weight - only 275 g, which is why the headset feels especially light and is practically not felt after several hours. The soft headband with ear pads also contributes. However, the latter, made of leatherette, no matter how high-quality it is, in hot weather, after an hour of wearing, bring slight discomfort associated with sweating in the area of ​​​​contact with the skin. A little manipulation of the head, adjustment of the headset and you can go back to battle!

The developers position the HyperX Cloud Stinger model as a gaming headset designed for the gaming virtual world. And the way she handles the soundtrack deserves high praise. Background music, shots, explosions, orders, screams in Battfield 1 and World of Tanks are felt most vividly and vividly, plunging you into a world of endless war and struggle, which envelops you and allows you to become more immersed in the atmosphere.

There are no complaints about the quality of the microphone: it copes with its task. The interlocutor hears you clearly, there is no need to raise your voice. The noise reduction function works: background clangs and rustles around the apartment are practically not heard by your teammate.

The ergonomics are slightly unusual, but comfortable. You tilt the boom of the microphone until it clicks lightly – it’s on, lift it – it’s off. But I never developed the habit of adjusting the sound volume with my right hand: I don’t want to let go of the mouse during gameplay.

From a musical point of view, the HyperX Cloud Stinger headset performs slightly worse: nevertheless, the model is focused on the gaming component. While the headphones handle the lows and mids perfectly, the bass is flat and sometimes harsh. High frequencies suffered. It is difficult to recommend the HyperX Cloud Stinger to a true music lover.

Conclusion

It's nice to know that the manufacturer is correctly positioning its HyperX Cloud Stinger model, and a spark of truth shines in the words of the developers: the headset is perfect for gamers and does a good job of listening to music.

HyperX Cloud Stinger combines attractive design and workmanship with well-thought-out ergonomics. Due to the proprietary headband design and comfortable ear pads, a comfortable fit and almost complete noise insulation are achieved.

Thanks to speakers with a diameter of 50 mm with neodymium magnets, perfectly balanced sound and a detailed “picture” are achieved. In terms of the gaming component, the HyperX Cloud Stinger copes with the task perfectly, but audiophiles may notice insufficiently developed high frequencies and bass.

To summarize, the company has in its lineup a headset designed for a specific audience called HyperX Cloud Stinger. While maintaining the hardware platform and balanced hardware, stylish design and comfortable ergonomics, the developers have created an excellent HyperX Cloud Stinger headset for gamers.

I welcome everyone who stopped by.

The review will focus, as you probably already guessed, on the full-size budget headset (headphones) Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger Core. Among the distinctive features of the model are good workmanship, high-quality sound, the presence of a volume control unit, fabric ear pads and low cost. At the end of the review, as usual, there are impressions of use and a small modification, so if anyone is interested, you are welcome.

• General view and brief characteristics
• Packaging and equipment
• Appearance
• Disassembly and device
• Dimensions
• Minor revision
• Impressions from work

General view of the headset:

Brief technical characteristics:

Manufacturer – Kingston (HyperX)
- Model name – Cloud Stinger Core
- Case material – plastic + metal
- Sound circuit format – 2.0 (stereo)
- Headphone type - full-size closed type
- Sound emitter impedance - 16Ω
- Acoustic range - 20Hz - 20KHz
- Sensitivity - 99dB
- Nonlinear distortion factor -< 2%
- Diameter of sound emitters – 40mm with neodymium magnets
- Cable length – 1.3m
- Microphone – non-removable
- Control unit – volume control + microphone off
- Weight – 215g

Equipment:

Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Headset
- connection guide
- information booklets

The Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headset (headphones), despite its very low cost, comes in a branded colorful box, which contains brief specifications and main features of the product:

Considering the fact that the box looks presentable, and the headset itself has good sound and workmanship, we can safely recommend it as a good and inexpensive gift for both avid gamers and just amateurs.

The back of the box shows the main features of the headset, namely metal adjustment feet, fabric ear pads and a microphone on a flexible stem:

As a matter of fact, the equipment is far from rich, I would even say, very meager. In addition to the headset itself, there are only welcome booklets and connection instructions:

The connection manual is presented in several languages ​​and is so brief that it doesn’t even indicate how to connect to old computers, but without an adapter there is often no way:

In total, the equipment is very modest and, in my opinion, there is no very important adapter for connecting to outdated computers (motherboards), but more on that below.

Appearance:

Since I am the owner of the HyperX Cloud Silver headset, which I reviewed earlier, I will be comparing them throughout the review. Of course it's stupid to compare various models from different price categories, but alas, nothing else.

So, unlike the more solid and at the same time more expensive Cloud Silver headset, the Cloud Stinger Core has a, let’s say, simple design. It looks discreet and this is not surprising, because it is positioned as a budget one and is aimed mainly at buyers with limited financial capabilities:

In my opinion, it is for these reasons that there are no design refinements, and most of the elements are made of “time-tested” plastic. I would even say that almost the entire structure consists of plastic, but in some places there are metal inserts. If the Cloud Silver cups and decorative overlays were made of matte plastic with a soft-touch coating, then the Cloud Stinger Core model has a simple, rough-to-touch plastic with the usual corporate logo:

The design of the headband has also been completely changed. In this model it is more lightweight, without the banal “shape memory”, the benefit of which was only on paper and without a leatherette lining, instead of which there is a kind of “pad” covered with perforated fabric:

The manufacturer did not forget about the HyperX logo, which means that we have a line of high-performance products, in this case, a line of gaming headsets:

Despite the simpler design, I like this version better, because the absence of that same memory foam has somewhat lightened the overall weight of the entire headset, which should have a positive effect on fatigue during prolonged use. In addition, the headband has become so flexible that you don’t have to worry about accidentally breaking it:

And of course, for the sake of reliability, the manufacturer did not replace the completely metal adjustment feet with plastic ones, which cannot boast of survivability, especially at low temperatures:

In this model, the adjustment stroke is additionally fixed by a spring-loaded ball, and the leg has about six fixed positions for any head size.

As for the ear pads, there are also fundamental differences compared to Cloud Silver. Many complained that during prolonged listening, the skin under the ear pads could sweat, so the Cloud Stinger Core model abandoned leatherette ear pads and gave preference to fabric material with foam filling:

In terms of tactile sensations, everything is simply super - soft, pleasant to the touch, breathable (just like a feminine hygiene product, :-))). It would seem that this is it perfect solution, but be that as it may, the fabric base is somewhat worse at sound insulation, so a compromise needs to be made here.

I would like to add that the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headset is a full-size closed type headset, i.e. The ears (pinna) are completely hidden inside the cups, and the shape of the ear pads is more like an ellipse and is slightly elongated. The inner diameter of the ear pads is 55mm/44mm, a standard box of matches can easily fit inside and there is still space left:

Thanks to soft inserts made of foam rubber or similar material, when compressed, the ear pads return to their original state, that is, roughly speaking, they take any shape and fit snugly to the head. As I mentioned earlier, the material of the ear pads is “breathable”, so even after two hours of gaming there is not the slightest hint of sweating of the skin, although I did not experience this with Cloud Silver either (for more details on the ear pads, see the “Disassembly” section).

The microphone here is a narrow-directional condenser type and is installed on the left cup. Unfortunately, it is not removable and there is also no windproof foam:

Here again the budget orientation of the model is reflected, where ease of use is secondary, and in the first place there is a compromise between sound quality and the final cost of the product. Despite this, this does not cause any particular inconvenience. The flexible leg is mounted on a swivel bracket and has a length of 10 cm, while perfectly holding its shape in any direction, so you can bend it along the headband and forget about it once and for all.

The headset is connected to devices using a standard four-pin (TRRS) miniJack 3.5mm plug:

This is due, first of all, to the support of most game consoles, which use a combined audio jack. Be that as it may, here again the budget focus is visible, because the plug is not gold-plated and there is no splitter cable, as is implemented in older models. If there are no particular problems with the first one, then the lack of an adapter can be a dead end when used with older computers. The fact is that most modern devices (smartphones, laptops, nettops) support the connection of a four-pin (TRRS) miniJack 3.5mm connector, i.e. They have a so-called combined audio connector, but problems may arise with old motherboards. At a minimum, the microphone will not work, or a “dull” sound will be heard and you will have to look for a splitter for two miniJack 3.5mm connectors (speakers + microphone), for example this one:

The changes also affected the cable itself. In the Cloud Silver model, the cable was additionally wrapped in a fabric sheath, which had a positive effect on the mechanical strength of the cable and gave the headset a certain sophistication. But the Cloud Stinger Core model under review does not provide any frills - a typical cable in rubberized insulation is 1.3 m long. At a distance of 40cm from the left cup there is a linear volume control and microphone control unit with the same corporate logo:

This is a very convenient function that allows you to quickly change the volume, because as practice shows, in gaming battles there is no quick way to reduce or increase the overall volume of the headphones. You can click the keys on the multimedia keyboard, but not everyone has this ability.

The adjustment here is quite smooth, there is no sound distortion. The regulator itself protrudes from both sides and is somewhat recessed in order to eliminate accidental adjustments. The microphone on/off button is fixed, which is also very convenient:

Overall, I don’t have any particular complaints about the quality or appearance, because you need to understand that this is a product aimed at the budget segment of the market, i.e. designed for undemanding users. I probably agree that when designing this model, they saved on everything, but despite this, we managed to get a very good product that definitely deserves attention.

Disassembly and device:

To disassemble the ear cups, you need to remove the ear pads and unscrew four screws:

Under the ear pad on the left ear cup there is a hidden sticker with the proprietary Phantom protection technology in the form of an iridescent red emblem (the right ear cup is shown in the photo), so if you purchase this model in “dubious” places, first of all check for authenticity.

According to the manufacturer, 40mm directional speakers with a neodymium magnet are installed inside the headset, which ensure complete immersion in the gaming process:

An important advantage is the removable fabric ear pads, which, if dirty or damaged, can be cleaned or replaced with new ones of the same size and shape:

There are no complaints about the quality of the ear pads: the seams are even, there are no distortions/ties, and there are no defects on the fabric.

Dimensions:

In terms of dimensions, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headset is practically no different from other models of the same class. Here's a comparison with the HyperX Cloud Silver headset:

The dimensions of the ear pads are 95mm/82mm (external) and 55mm/44mm (internal), height 24mm:

And of course, a comparison with a box of matches:

Minor modification to the headset:

As I have already mentioned several times, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headset has very mediocre sound insulation, since there is absolutely no sound-absorbing material inside the cups. This is what I tried to correct. For experiments, I took some padding polyester, ordinary cotton wool and a material closely similar to isolon, that is, what was at hand at that moment:

Unfortunately, the plans also included a comparison with felt (aka felt), but alas, they were not at hand, so the experiment was postponed until the next trip to the regional center. There I plan to purchase acoustic felt and a layer of vibroplast. If the topic is interesting, I’ll post the results.

The experiment with a material somewhat similar to isolon failed - I did not notice any special effect. As one of my friends correctly suggested, “the pores are closed”, sound absorption is minimal:

For some reason, I hoped that the effectiveness of isolon would not be so bad, because four years ago I pasted a similar “Shumka” (if I’m not mistaken, it was Accent 10 on self-adhesive) together with vibroplast system unit so that he doesn't make noise. Then the result pleasantly surprised me.

The second experiment with padding polyester and cotton wool gave a greater effect, but I would like more:

Extraneous noises have become a little less audible, but in comparison with Cloud Silver, my “collective farm” is still clearly losing.

In general, I plan to try the following design: the first layer of STP vibroplast, which would dampen vibrations and noise, the second layer of felt and immediately in front of the speakers and at the joints a layer of cotton wool or synthetic padding. In my opinion, the most optimal design.

Impressions from the headset:

Listening to music recordings has traditionally been carried out from a Hystou FMP03B minicomputer (nettop) and a branded Samsung smartphone Galaxy S3. I don’t have any particular preferences in terms of genres, so to evaluate the sound I selected about fifteen different tracks in good quality and several action films with shooting, explosions and other effects. As games – the painfully familiar “Contra” 1.6 and Stalker. For greater clarity and comparison of both models, a regular audio splitter was used, to which both headsets were simultaneously connected in order to evaluate the pros and cons.

After listening and evaluating the sound, I can say that both headsets sound almost the same, but the Cloud Silver has more pronounced bass than the Cloud Stinger Core. Maybe it's all about different noise insulation of the models, maybe the emitters themselves are different, or maybe it just seems so to me. Since both models are oriented as gaming, both headsets focus on low and mid frequencies to make shots and explosions more realistic. In this regard, some users may not be surprised by the sound of the headsets, so you should take this into account when purchasing. I will note that in games the sound coloring is good, the shots are realistic, and in crowd scenes there is a certain 3D immersion effect.

Pros:

Good sound quality (bass dominant)
+ light weight, less head fatigue
+ very flexible headband
+ the headset fits perfectly (soft headband and ear pads)
+ removable fabric ear pads
+ metal spring-loaded adjustment feet
+ presence of volume control unit
+ price

Controversial points:

± no frills design
± fixed microphone
± poor equipment (no adapter)

Cons:

Poor sound insulation
- short cable length, no extension cord

Total, I was pleased with the Cloud Stinger Core headset. Even despite some budgetary focus, cloud headset Stinger Core was a pleasant surprise; I expected worse results. I agree that its noise isolation is worse, and the design is not outstanding, but in terms of sound quality it is very similar to the Cloud Silver headset, which costs twice as much. Therefore, for those who have a very limited budget, I recommend purchasing it.

You can find out the current price