The HyperX Cloud Orbit S also feels comfortable and sounds great, compared to other gaming headsets in the same price range. However, some may think that it is expensive and the features of the HyperX Cloud Orbit S may be a little bit complicated. Now the question is, who’s the HyperX Cloud Orbit S for?
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HyperX Cloud Orbit S: Gamers, Music lovers, Work-From-Home
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S is perfect for the gamer head who is looking for advanced technology when it comes to headphones. It is also ideal for music lovers who are looking for high-end audio quality and also for individuals who are looking for something comfortable and durable while working at the comfort of their home or room.
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S Experience
As mentioned earlier, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S may be considered to be more advanced compared to its rival or counterparts, and its technology sometimes sparks a debate among consumers.
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S has three distinct modes, and within those modes are around half a dozen more sub-modes. The technology it delivers is extraordinary – every connection works with two or more devices, every button can do three or four various commands. For veteran gamers, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S may pass with flying colors, but for non-gamers and casual listeners, this device may just be out of its dimension.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S: Design
The whole package of the HyperX Cloud Orbit S may just be a little bit too extra. When it comes to its design and build, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S falls on the heavy side at 12.6 ounces. Made mostly of sturdy black plastic, this audio gear has an attractive and sleek design that can look street smart and sophisticated at the same time.
The leatherette ear cups are breathable and comfortable, not to mention gorgeous. The leatherette makes the HyperX Cloud Orbit S look really premium while ensuring that the ear cups don’t trap heat. There’s also a flexible, detachable microphone which is also a nice feature that not all gaming headsets offer.
When you check out the left ear cup, that’s when things get a bit complicated. On the outside, the design of the left ear cup has a mic mute button and a power button. On the bottom part, you can find a three-dimensional button, a mic volume dial, an audio volume dial, a microphone port, a charging/USB connection port and a 3.5 mm port. The thing is, all of those buttons are installed very close to each other, giving first time users a somewhat confusing experience. It doesn’t help that each of the buttons also have multiple functions.
The HyperX Cloud ORbit S has three cords – a 3.5mm cable for Xbox One controllers and devices with older software, USB-A cord for PC, docked switches and PS4, and a USB-C cord for handheld Switches and Android phones. Swapping out the cables can be really tricky especially if the headset is used for a living room setup, especially if you don’t want to add a trip hazard to your living room design.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S: Comfort
The HyperX Cloud Orbit has a padded headband paired with high quality plush, large ear cups, making it comfortable to wear even for long hours of usage. The headset is large, which is ideal for individuals with a big head. However, this may be an issue for individuals with small-sized heads because it would be difficult to get a perfect fit.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S – How Is Its Game Performance?
So how does the technology of the HyperX Cloud Orbit S fare when it comes to the gaming dimension? One of the reasons why the HyperX Cloud Orbit S has been getting awards in the realm of digital gaming is because it is very compatible with a wide range of console and platforms.
Specifically, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S is compatible with mobile Android phones, Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC. What makes it even better? The sound precision is impressive on each of the aforementioned devices. The HyperX Cloud Orbit S provides high quality audio across all platforms, giving justice to its expensive price tag.
The 3D sound really works as advertised although it’s actually quite similar to the standard stereo or surround sound feature. Whether the 3D sound is activated or not, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S provides a decent directional sound.
I paid careful attention to how well the headset worked with action and FPS games. That’s because of its Waves Nx 3D audio feature. For those who have never experienced 3D sound before, it’s a rather novel concept. When you turn on 3D sound, you calibrate the way you’re facing as “center.” After that, each time you turn your head, the audio source will “follow” your motions, becoming louder or quieter in one ear, depending on where your head is turned. Imagine standing in front of a speaker, then turning one ear toward or away from the speaker, and you’ll have a general idea of the effect.
What is 3D sound? For those who haven’t tried the 3D sound technology, it’s quite a novel technology, as if putting the listener in the center of the audio. Each time you turn your head, the audio source will follow the movements. Depending on where your head is turned, the audio will either become louder or quieter. To get a clearer picture of how the 3D sound of the HyperX Cloud Orbit S works, imagine that you are standing in front of a speaker; turn your ear away or toward the speaker and the effect that you experience will be pretty much the same with how the 3D sound technology works.
Whether you are playing on your mobile phone, PC or PS4, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S can deliver a strong, directional sound with a rich soundscape. The HyperX Cloud Orbit S can be appreciated for casual listening or competitive applications.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S Features
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S boasts of various sound modes – high-res sound, stereo sound and 7.1 surround sound. Meanwhile, the 3D sound has four modes that listeners can EQ using the specialized Orbit software.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S Microphone. The microphone of the HyperX Cloud Orbit does a great job to filter out background noise. There might be a noticeable fuzz when recording a high-end stream or podcast but overall, it would hold up well in a tournament or competitive setting.
One drawback about the HyperX Cloud Orbit S that we’ve noticed is that the headset needs to be charged to be used, even if it’s not a wireless model. Technically, this isn’t a problem when used in USB mode since the headset can be charged while playing. When you use the HyperX Cloud Orbit with a 3.5mm jack, the headset doesn’t power off automatically so make sure that you don’t leave it on unintentionally.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S Music Performance: Generally, music sounds good especially if listeners enable the music equalization option. The HyperX Cloud Orbit S also has an edge among its rival in the market with its high-res audio option. With the high-res audio option, users can listen to lossless files in greater detail compared to standard headphones. Take note that TV, movie and game files don’t usually support high-res audio. It also has a full frequency range without any gaps or significant sculpting in frequency response.
The Verdict: Should You Purchase the HyperX Cloud Orbit S?
The HyperX Cloud Orbit Sis has good sound quality and is a durable mix of metal and plastic that gives a comfortable and impressive listening experience for both gamers and casual listeners. It’s also compatible with lots of devices in different platforms, so that’s another bonus.
However, if you don’t like devices loaded with heavy features, you might not appreciate the HyperX Cloud Orbit S. This device is far from being minimalist, and if you are a first time user or not a tech geek, you would really have a hard time adjusting. It’s not also as affordable as budget-friendly picks from Sony or Kingston Technology. Priced at $330, the price can be a little steep especially for those on a budget. There are lots of available Bluetooth wireless headphones sold at a cheaper price, so if you’re not really all out with the HyperX Cloud S Orbit’s jam packed features, you can go and choose something simpler. If you’re looking for a good, solid pair of headphones that offers excellent sound, a good microphone and accurate 3D audio, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S is an ideal choice.
The lack of Bluetooth wireless feature is one of its drawbacks, but this is not really a big deal for games especially since no major console actually supports Bluetooth and PC gaming hardware is used with a headphone jack or USB port.
Come to think of it, the HyperX Orbit S Cloud worked with Audeze Mobius (one of the most advanced gaming headsets) and also has the same planar magnetic drivers and motion sensing Waves with Nx 3D audio. If you absolutely loved the Audeze Mobius but are looking for a cheaper alternative, the HyperX Orbit S Cloud is a great choice, bearing similar features but with a more wallet-friendly price tag.
