The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are the next generation of the HyperX Cloud Alpha. These wired gaming headphones maintain a similarly great build quality and are just as comfortable as their predecessor. However, this time around, they've added a separate audio control scheme on a USB dongle and they now have separate bass sliders for each ear cup. The bass slider isn't an EQ, though, and at its max, the over-emphasized bass ends up making the rest of your audio mix a bit muddy. There are no sound adjustment features within their companion software, which is a bit disappointing for gaming headphones. Still, they have a unique 7.1 surround sound feature which can help immerse you in your gameplay and their detachable boom microphone does a good job of capturing voices clearly.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are okay for neutral sound. Their bass and treble delivery depend on their fit, seal, and positioning, and without an EQ, there isn't a way to get them to sound more neutral. While they have a bass slider on each ear cup, it's not an EQ and it also affects the mid-range when used, so you may end up with a slightly uneven sound profile.
-
Unique bass slider on both ear cups that control the amount of bass independently of one another.
-
Excellent build quality.
-
Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users.
-
Limited companion software.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are poor for commuting. Although they're comfortable enough for long train rides, these headphones are meant for gaming and their bulky design makes it hard to take them with you on-the-go. They're not designed to block out a lot of noise, and they let in all low bass noise like bus and plane engines.
-
Unique bass slider on both ear cups that control the amount of bass independently of one another.
-
Excellent build quality.
-
Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are disappointing for sports. These comfortable headphones are designed for gaming and their bulky design isn't the easiest to take with you on-the-go. They're reasonably stable on your head, but due to their wired design, the audio cable could easily snag on something, interrupting your listening experience. They can also fall off with more rigorous head movements so if you want to wear them while working out, they'll more likely stay on during a light jog than if you're cross-training.
-
Unique bass slider on both ear cups that control the amount of bass independently of one another.
-
Excellent build quality.
-
Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are sub-par for office use. While they're comfortable enough for a 9-5 work day, they don't really block out background noise, which can be frustrating when you're trying to concentrate. On the upside, if you're in an office, their leakage shouldn't be audible unless everyone suddenly becomes silent, so you can turn up the volume to help counter background noise without disturbing your colleagues too much.
-
Unique bass slider on both ear cups that control the amount of bass independently of one another.
-
Excellent build quality.
-
Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are wired gaming headphones and can't be used wirelessly.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are decent for wired gaming. They're comfortable enough for long gaming sessions and their wired connection virtually eliminates worries of lag. Their boom microphone also does a good job of reproducing clear voices so you should have no problem being understood by your teammates. They have a unique bass slider for each ear cup, allowing you to adjust each ear independently, which can help immerse you in your gameplay. The rest of their audio controls are found on a detachable USB dongle.
-
Unique bass slider on both ear cups that control the amount of bass independently of one another.
-
Very good boom microphone.
-
Excellent build quality.
-
Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users.
-
Limited companion software.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are okay for phone calls. Their detachable boom microphone does a good job of reproducing voices that sound clear and natural, even in noisy environments like gaming tournaments. However, the headphones don't block out background noise, which can make it harder for you to hear whoever is on the other line.
-
Unique bass slider on both ear cups that control the amount of bass independently of one another.
-
Very good boom microphone.
-
Excellent build quality.
-
Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users.
- 7.2 Neutral Sound
- 4.9 Commute/Travel
- 5.6 Sports/Fitness
- 6.2 Office
- 5.7 Wireless Gaming
- 7.6 Wired Gaming
- 6.8 Phone Calls
- Updated Dec 05, 2022: We have replaced the incorrect Recorded Speech file in Recording Quality with the correct audio file. However, the scoring of this test hasn't changed.
- Updated May 09, 2022: We've retested what features are accessible to these headphones using HyperX Ngenuity software. However, no new features are available. We've updated our review, but the scoring of the box hasn't changed.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Jun 05, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jun 03, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated May 27, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated May 26, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated May 20, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Headphones
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are the next generation of the HyperX Cloud Alpha. These wired gaming headphones have a unique bass slider control scheme that allows you to adjust the bass levels on both ear cups independently of one another and they use a USB dongle for audio controls. They have an inconsistent bass and treble delivery similar to the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless, but as their companion software is fairly limited in customization options, they lack any way to EQ them, other than using the bass slider. If you're still looking around for gaming headphones, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best PS4 gaming headsets, and the best Xbox One gaming headsets.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is the next generation of the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Although they look very similar and have the same excellent build quality, the HyperX Cloud Alpha S now have a separate USB dongle for audio management. They also have a unique bass slider on each ear cup so that you can adjust the bass level as you play. They added a 7.1 surround sound feature to help immerse you in your gameplay, and their detachable boom microphone performs slightly better, capturing clear voices, even in loud environments. You can also use them on a PC or PS4 using a wired USB connection.
The HyperX Cloud III are a bit better than the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. The Cloud III have a better overall mic performance and offer sound customization features via their companion software. However, the Alpha S' sound profile delivers more bass, which can help make gameplay more immersive and bring out sound effects.
The HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II and the HyperX Cloud Alpha S are very similarly performing gaming headphones but the Cloud Alpha S are slightly better. The Cloud Alpha S have a bit better controls such as a bass slider on each ear cup. They also feel slightly better built and have companion software that allows you to adjust the mic level. The Cloud 2, on the other hand, have a slightly better performing boom microphone. On the downside, it should be noted that both headphones have inconsistent bass and treble delivery, and neither have a full EQ to account for it.
The Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset and the HyperX Cloud Alpha S are similarly-performing wired gaming headsets. They're both comfortable for long gaming sessions, and they both have the same connectivity with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. However, the Logitech have companion software with a graphic EQ and presets, which can help with their inconsistent sound delivery. On the other hand, while the HyperX also have a similarly inconsistent sound delivery, they lack an EQ but have a bass slider on each ear cup. They also have a slightly better-performing microphone and feel better built.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are slightly better gaming headphones than the Razer Blackshark V2. The HyperX are more comfortable, have a haptic bass slider that you can use to adjust their sound, and are better built. They also have a better overall performing boom mic. However, the Razer deliver audio more consistently, and their sound is more customizable, thanks to their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are better than the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless for gaming. The Alpha S are wired-only headphones that come with a USB dongle that offers more features, including channel mixing. They also have a much better build quality and work with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PCs, PS4, and PS5, while the Cloud 2 are incompatible with Xbox consoles. On the other hand, the Cloud 2 are wireless, which some may prefer.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S and the HyperX Cloud Stinger S are very similar gaming headphones, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Alpha S are more comfortable and better built. They also do a better job isolating background noise, and they leak less noise. That said, the Stinger S have a more neutral, less bass-heavy sound profile that some listeners may prefer.
The Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X are slightly better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. While both are similarly comfortable, the Drop have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their boom mic offers better overall performance. The HyperX are better built and compatible with HyperX Ngenuity software, though it doesn't offer much customization.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S and HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 are fairly evenly-matched wired gaming headphones. The Alpha are comfier, are better built, block out more ambient noise, offer superior mic performance, and have a companion app, though with a limited range of customization options. Meanwhile, the Revolver deliver audio more consistently and have a more spacious passive soundstage.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are somewhat better-wired gaming headphones than the Razer Kaira X. The HyperX are more comfortable, better built, and compatible with companion software that offers an adjustable mic level. Their audio cable and microphone are also detachable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition are slightly better for wired gaming than the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. The SteelSeries' sound profile can be customized with a graphic EQ and presets in their companion software. They also have a more stable fit and a longer cable. On the other hand, the HyperX are much more well-built and comfortable. Their mic also has a somewhat better recording quality.
The JBL Quantum 800 Wireless and the HyperX Cloud Alpha S are similarly-performing gaming headphones but there are a few major differences. The HyperX are wired-only headphones that are more comfortable, are better built, and have a better-performing detachable boom microphone. In comparison, the JBL are more versatile as they can be used wired or wirelessly using either Bluetooth or their USB dongle. They also have a great active noise cancelling feature, customizable RGB lighting, and companion software with a graphic EQ plus presets.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. The SteelSeries can be used wired and wirelessly, which makes them slightly more versatile. They also have a 24-hour battery life so you don't have to worry too much about your battery dying during a long gaming session. Their companion software also offers a graphic EQ plus presets to help tweak their sound. However, the HyperX have bass sliders on each ear cup, and they have a 7.1 surround sound feature. Both headphones have a similarly great-performing boom microphone.
The Beats Solo Pro Wireless and the HyperX Cloud Alpha S are designed for different uses. The HyperX are gaming headphones. They're more comfortable, are better built, and have a virtual soundstage feature, and their microphone offers better overall performance. However, the Beats are more suitable for casual use. They have a wireless design, a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, an ANC system that helps block out a significant amount of noise, and an H1 chip so that you can seamlessly pair them with Apple devices.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are better wired gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Recon 500. The HyperX are more comfortable, have better controls, and feel significantly better built. They also have a virtual soundstage feature, and can be used via wired USB. However, the Turtle Beach's mic has a better recording quality.
Test Results
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S have a simple design that looks pretty much identical to their predecessor, the HyperX Cloud Alpha. While the black and blue color scheme we tested isn't too flashy, you can also get them in an all-black if you prefer an even more sleek look. Both colors have perforated-style hinges that make them look more unique. Although they still look like bulky gaming headphones, their boom microphone is detachable so they should stand out less if you're wearing them for casual use. If you're looking for more flashy gaming headphones, check out the JBL Quantum 800 as it has RGB lighting on both ear cups.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are comfortable headphones. They come with two different kinds of padding, one cloth and one leather, which is nice if you prefer one fabric over another. They don't put too much weight on your head either and should be comfortable enough for long gaming sessions.
These headphones have two control schemes. The first is a bass slider that's found on the headphones' ear cups. With their slider, you can independently control the amount of bass each ear cup receives. When turned up, these headphones produce a warm, boomy bass. You can also turn them down if you want to reduce the bass. There are also physical controls on the detachable USB dongle and when plugged in, you can control volume, chat mixing, and mic muting. There's also a 7.1 button, which is their surround sound feature, and it lights up when you use it. You hear beeps when you change settings too, which is nice.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S aren't very portable. Although they're a little bit smaller than other gaming headphones, they can't fold or lay flat to make them easier to store in a bag or backpack.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S come with a simple fabric pouch. It's more likely to prevent dust from collecting on your headphones than protecting them from drops or water damage.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S have an excellent build quality. They feel well-built and durable. Just like the HyperX Cloud Alpha, they have a sturdy but flexible aluminum frame. Their padding feels good and the detachable braided cables help to protect the integrity of the wire, especially if it gets snagged on something. The mic is also detachable, which is nice. However, they have small braided cables that connect the headband to the ear cups which could get snagged on something.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are reasonably stable headphones but they're not designed for physical activity and can fall off with more intense exercise. While they're stable enough for playing video games at home, they're still fairly bulky and wired. Their cables can also get snagged on something but since their audio cable is detachable, you'll just lose your audio.
- HyperX Cloud Alpha S headphones
- USB-A dongle
- Carrying pouch
- 1/8" TRRS audio cable
- Cloth ear cup pads
- Leather ear cup pads
- Detachable boom microphone
- Manual
As we tested the HyperX Cloud Alpha S with both bass sliders are turned up, they have a sound profile that's slightly boomy and lacks detail. At this setting, they're still suited for a variety of audio genres though as they have balanced and accurate mid-range. You can always change the bass slider to better suit your preferences if needed. However, lowering or raising the bass can affect the mid-range. As they also have an inconsistent sound across users due to their large ear cups, our results are an average and you may experience their sound reproduction differently. If you're looking for gaming headphones with a more neutral default sound profile, consider the HyperX Cloud Stinger S instead.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S have a sub-par frequency response consistency. Bass delivery varies and a drop in bass can occur if the ear cups are not flush to your head or if you have glasses. The treble range is also inconsistent. As the overall frequency response depends on fit, seal, and positioning of these headphones, once you achieve a good overall fit, you should get a more consistent frequency response each time you use them.
When the bass slider is turned up to its max, the HyperX Cloud Alpha S have a fairly boomy bass. However, its delivery can vary across users. While some may find the low-bass lacking in thump and rumble, it still has a fairly neutral sound. The mid-bass also packs a punch. However, the high-bass sounds muddy and boomy. This bass accuracy performance represents the average response and your experience may vary.
The mid accuracy is great. There's still a bit of overemphasis in the low-mid that comes from the high-bass which can make your mixes muddy or cluttered. However, the rest of the mid-range is very even and flat, resulting in an accurate reproduction of lead instruments and vocals.
The treble accuracy of the HyperX Cloud Alpha S is mediocre but delivery can vary across users. There's a dip in the low-treble which can make vocals and lead instruments lose detail and presence. The high-treble is also uneven and recessed, although it's in a high enough frequency that it may not be noticeable to most listeners. However, this treble accuracy performance represents the average response and your experience may vary.
The peaks and dips performance of the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 is alright but their position, seal, and whether you have glasses or thick hair can all affect sound delivery, resulting in inconsistent bass and treble. That being said, the minor peak in the high-bass can make your mixes boomy. The peak in the low-treble sharpens some sounds in this frequency but its sudden dip in the same range also hurts the detail and brightness of other sounds. There's also a high peak in the mid-treble, which can make sibilants painful and harsh but the following dips in the high-treble make sounds lifeless.
The imaging performance of these headphones is excellent. The GD graph shows that almost the entire group delay response is within the audibility threshold which results in a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Additionally, the L/R drivers of our test unit were very well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response. This ensures an accurate placement and localization of objects (voices, instruments, video game effects) in the stereo field.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S' passive soundstage is disappointing. While the soundstage will likely be perceived as being somewhat large, due to their closed-back design, it also sounds like it's located inside your head rather than out in front of you.
These headphones have a 7.1 virtual surround sound feature but we don't currently test its performance.
The harmonic distortion performance of these headphones is good. While most of the range falls within the audibility threshold, there are a couple of peaks in the treble range at a decent volume level. This could cause a small amount of distortion, though it might not be noticeable to everyone.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when these headphones are used at these settings.
The noise isolation of the HyperX Cloud Alpha S is disappointing. They don't block out any low bass noise such as the rumble of bus or plane engines. Although they do a better job in the mid-range, which is where background chatter falls, they still won't be enough if you're working in an office setting. They cut down the most noise in the treble range such as an A/C unit or a fan, though.
The leakage performance of these headphones is good. Although they leak a bit of audio, it still falls below the noise floor of an average office. However, if you're gaming at home and you've got your audio cranked up to a high volume, it could disturb those also sharing your space.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S have a detachable boom microphone.
The recording quality of the boom microphone is very good. Your voice sounds full-bodied, natural, and relatively clear so you shouldn't have any problems being understood.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S' boom microphone has remarkable noise handling. Even in a noisy environment like a gaming tournament, you should have no problems being heard.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are wired-only and don't require a battery.
These headphones have mediocre companion software called HyperX Ngenuity. There isn't a lot you can do with it other than adjust the level of your mic and turn on/off surround sound support. Unfortunately, even though the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless can access a graphic EQ and presets through the Ngenuity app, these features aren't available to these headphones.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are wired-only headphones and don't support Bluetooth.
These are wired-only headphones.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S use a detachable 1/8" TRRS audio cable that can be used on most gaming consoles. They also have a detachable USB-A dongle that has several audio controls.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S are fully compatible with Xbox One by plugging them directly into the controller.