HyperX Cloud Alpha Air Review: Open-Back Design, Budget Price, and Software Limitations
Tom's Hardware tests HyperX's new open-back headset, praising its audio quality and comfort while noting microphone issues and missing software support.
Key points
- The HyperX Cloud Alpha Air is priced at $149.99, positioning it as a budget-friendly option among open-back gaming headsets.
- Reviewers found the microphone pickup to be low and noted that the device does not currently work with HyperX Ngenuity software.
- The headset weighs approximately 10.6 ounces with all attachments, making it lighter than several competitors like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air.
HyperX has launched the Cloud Alpha Air, marking the brand's entry into the open-back gaming headset market. According to a review by Tom's Hardware, the device prioritizes comfort and audio immersion, though it presents specific limitations regarding microphone performance and peripheral software compatibility.
The Cloud Alpha Air is priced at $149.99, which Tom's Hardware describes as budget-friendly compared to other open-back models. Competitors in this category include the Corsair Virtuoso Pro at $200, the Turtle Beach Atlas Air at $180, and the Audeze LCD-GX at $900. This pricing places the HyperX device in a more accessible tier for consumers seeking an open-back audio experience.
Design and Audio Specifications
The headset features a wired over-ear design with dynamic 40mm drivers and a frequency response range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. It includes a proprietary "HyperX Bass Tube" intended to maintain low-end presence without compromising the open-back structure. Tom's Hardware reviewers stated that the headset sounds very good, delivering the audio quality expected from the brand's previous offerings.
Physically, the Cloud Alpha Air uses large, plastic oval-shaped earcups with metal grilles attached to a padded steel headband. The earcups contain thick memory foam padding covered in soft ultrasuede material. While the earcups tilt and swivel slightly, they do not swivel flat, and their flexibility is lower than that of many other gaming headsets due to the rigid steel construction and metal-reinforced yokes.
Weight and Software Compatibility
HyperX lists the headset's weight at 9.6 ounces (272g) without the boom microphone. Tom's Hardware measurements found the headset weighed closer to 10 ounces (283g) without the mic, and just under 10.6 ounces (300g) with both the boom mic and cables attached. This makes it one of HyperX's lightest models, slightly lighter than the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless and the Turtle Beach Atlas Air.
The device includes a detachable boom microphone, which HyperX lists at approximately 0.42 ounces (12g), though reviewers measured it at 0.07 ounces (2g). Despite the lightweight design, Tom's Hardware noted that microphone pickup is low. Additionally, the headset does not seem to work with HyperX's Ngenuity peripheral software, although the review suggests users should not need the software for basic operation.
What should you do?
Readers interested in the Cloud Alpha Air should consider the trade-offs between audio quality and microphone performance. Since the device lacks Ngenuity software support, users should verify that basic plug-and-play functionality meets their needs before purchasing. Those requiring high-fidelity voice communication may want to test the microphone in their specific environment, as pickup levels were described as low.
What to do and how to stay safe: HyperX
- Test the microphone pickup in your specific environment to ensure it meets your communication needs, given reports of low sensitivity.
- Verify that you do not require Ngenuity software features, as the headset currently does not support this peripheral management tool.
- Compare the $149.99 price point against competitors like the Corsair Virtuoso Pro and Turtle Beach Atlas Air to assess value.
- Check the physical fit, as the rigid steel headband and limited earcup swivel may affect comfort for some users compared to more flexible models.
Step-by-step guide: Cloud Misconfiguration Response: Containment, Recovery and Prevention Steps
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Does the HyperX Cloud Alpha Air work with Ngenuity software?
According to Tom's Hardware, the headset does not seem to work with HyperX's Ngenuity software at this time.
How much does the HyperX Cloud Alpha Air weigh?
Tom's Hardware measured the headset at just under 10.6 ounces (300g) with the boom microphone and cables attached.
Is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Air an open-back headset?
Yes, Tom's Hardware identifies it as HyperX's first open-back gaming headset, designed for comfort and immersion.
