HyperX’s Ultimate Headset: Test Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless Reveals All!

The HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless gaming headset is the latest wireless offering from the American brand. It represents a significant upgrade over the original Cloud Alpha Wireless, introducing a revamped design and, most notably, a dedicated control station. The only component that seems to have been retained from the previous model is the internal 53 mm speakers.

Still boasting impressive endurance with a stated 250 hours of battery life away from a power source, it now features dual 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth connectivity. Its dedicated mixer also adds an auxiliary input and output, making it the central piece of your audio system.

This array of new features comes with a substantial price increase, jumping from 200 to 300 euros for the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless.

Technical Specifications

Redesigned Ergonomics with an RGB Base Station

In terms of design, the second-generation Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless breaks away from the Alpha range’s usual aesthetics. Gone are the red stitching and accents, replaced by a sleek combination of black and anthracite, and a mix of plastic and metal.

With a slimmer design, the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless looks more elegant, less bulky, and more visually appealing overall. This significant evolution in HyperX’s design language is a welcome change. Moreover, the build quality exudes solidity, with impeccable assembly of its components.

Once on your head, the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless confirms that its design overhaul has not compromised the signature comfort of HyperX headsets. The adjustable headband, combined with ear cups that can pivot 90 degrees, allows for a custom fit for each user. The ear pads are covered with a soft, velvety material, although they are moderately breathable.

The only step back in terms of design might be the headband’s width, making it slightly less comfortable than other HyperX models based on our experience. Nevertheless, despite weighing 345 g, the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless remained comfortable throughout our testing, even during prolonged gaming or work sessions.

The ergonomics have also been generously updated. Apart from the RGB base station, which we’ll discuss later, the headset is equipped with numerous controls and connections. On the right, there’s an audio playback control button next to the connection switch, and a volume control dial. On the left, the power button is accompanied by the microphone mute button.

For connectivity, the left side also features a USB-C port for charging, an audio jack input, and a second jack connector for the microphone. The microphone itself consists of a very practical memory foam boom that stays in place, allowing for optimal positioning.

RGB Base Station

A major highlight of the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless, the RGB base station serves as both a 2.4 GHz adapter and a customizable audio mixer. It features a large, RGB-lit dial that adjusts the output volume, supplemented by six buttons and a tactile area in the center for muting the microphone.

The first three buttons control the microphone volume, the chat-game balance, and the monitoring volume. Pressing these temporarily changes the dial’s function to adjust these settings, with a visual feedback. The other three buttons respectively mute the audio output, navigate between EQ profiles, and control audio playback. All buttons are customizable in both functionality and lighting.

Beyond adjusting the headset’s settings, the base station also acts as a “hub” for the headset’s various connections. In addition to the dedicated USB connector for PCs or consoles, it includes an input and an output jack.

While the idea behind the RGB base station is sound, it is somewhat too bulky for our taste and not always convenient to use. Some of its features are seldom used and do not justify a dedicated device. Moreover, navigating between different modes is not very intuitive. Its real value lies in the expanded connectivity options it offers for the headset.

Extensive Connectivity and Massive Battery Life

The headset itself can operate either wirelessly via its 2.4 GHz connection or through Bluetooth. Notably, the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless supports the simultaneous use of both connections, allowing users to enjoy sound from a PC or a console connected to the base station and another Bluetooth-connected device at the same time. Additionally, it can also be connected via a jack, ensuring compatibility with all platforms, including Xbox.

All these features make the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless quite unique in its segment, with only high-end models from brands like Astro or SteelSeries offering similar capabilities. The presence of auxiliary input and output allows the headset to be used with two systems at the same time and to output sound to speakers when not in use, for example.

While these capabilities and new features have had an impact on battery life, reducing it from 300 to 250 hours compared to its predecessor, this is almost a 20% decrease but still not a significant issue given such high values. For instance, after a week of daily use, the battery was still over 70% full.

Impressive Spatial Audio

Once worn, the Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless delivers a surprising sound performance. Unlike many gaming headsets, it is very conservative in the lower spectrum where the bass is quite subdued, without lacking in quality. The rest of the frequency spectrum is flawless, allowing each frequency to be expressed freely.

Initially, the sound may seem flat, but this actually allows for more freedom in adjusting settings via the built-in NGenuity equalizer. Moreover, the output definition is good, providing clear distinction between different sound elements, which is crucial both in gaming and music listening. It’s also worth noting that the maximum volume of the headset seemed relatively moderate compared to usual standards.

HyperX stands out from the competition with the spatial sound offered in the NGenuity driver. In addition to providing really comprehensive settings (almost unprecedented for this type of product), the sound is more than convincing and matches the best in its class. In addition to not distorting the sound with an overly pronounced jar effect, there is a noticeable improvement in immersion and spatialization. Well done!

Last but not least, the microphone is simply convincing. The capture ensures voice intelligibility, but the compression is still noticeable enough to remove some naturalness from the recording. It is sufficient for a voice chat, but not recommended for other purposes. However, it’s worth noting the presence of AI-enhanced noise reduction via NGenuity, which works quite well as you can hear in the second recording below.

NGenuity Evolves in the Right Direction

The software experience remains somewhat frustrating with HyperX. The Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless is no exception. Installing the NGenuity driver is lengthy, firmware updates take time, and an additional driver must be installed to enjoy all features. Note that this version of NGenuity is still in beta.

However, it’s worth acknowledging the progress made by the brand on its software, which has significantly improved compared to what was offered a few years ago. The interface is now very clear and provides efficient access to the various features of the headset.

Beyond access to the same features as the base station, namely control of the different headset volumes, the NGenuity homepage allows users to configure different equalizer profiles and activate options and presets for the microphone. One tab adjusts the operation of the spatial sound, and another allows for the customization of the lighting effects on the dial.

Finally, like a Stream Deck, the various buttons are also customizable. The options are rather limited and, apart from the basic ones, only actions related to keyboard strokes can be defined. To go a bit further, it is also possible to record and trigger macros.

Price and Availability of the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless Headset

The HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless headset is offered at a recommended price of 300 euros.