Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica)
It’s the weekend, which means it’s time for another Dealmaster. Our latest roundup of the best tech deals from around the web includes a good discount on HyperX’s Cloud Alpha, a video gaming headset we like. It’s currently down to $60 at several retailers, which matches the best price we’ve tracked and comes in about $15 below its typical street price online.
The Cloud Alpha has been available for a few years now, but it remains a commendable option for those who want a no-frills gaming headset, particularly at this discounted price. For one, it’s comfortable: the design doesn’t clamp down too hard upon the head, and the ample amount of soft padding on the particular headband and earcups keeps typically the headset comfortable to wear for hours at a time. The headband is adjustable, the included 3. 5mm cable is fully detachable, and the whole thing feels sturdily built. There’s no wireless connectivity, but that shouldn’t be the big negative for gaming purposes: every modern gaming console plus PC still uses a 3. 5mm jack, and the microphones found on wireless headsets tend to sound worse anyway.
In general, headsets explicitly marketed toward gaming often don’t sound as sharp as the best standard headphones at the same price, but this Cloud Alpha performs well for what it is. There’s a new slight bass boost, but it’s never muddy or overwhelming. The particular headset also does a good job of accurately locating in addition to separating sounds in a mix, so you won’t have trouble, say, pinpointing where shots are coming from in an online first-person shooter. That said, the treble range is a bit lacking in detail and, like most closed-back headphones, the soundstage isn’t especially wide. Likewise, the included boom mic could stand to sound clearer, though it does well to block out background noise. It’s fine. It’s also fully detachable.
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