Choosing the right headset will help you get better scores, especially if you’re into battlefield games. It’s common knowledge that wired headphones do a much better job than wireless ones when it comes to gaming, mainly because you don’t have to worry about the lag time. Even with the significant advances that we’re witnessing in technology, wireless headphones still can’t offer what wired ones do.
In this article, we’ll be comparing two wired headphones that have been popular ever since they came out; the HyperX Cloud Alpha and HyperX Cloud 2. As these two models are made by the same manufacturer and have the same price range, things get a bit confusing. You needn’t worry, though; we’ve got you covered.
The Short Answer
The HyperX Cloud Alpha outperforms the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II by a hair. The Cloud II and Cloud Alpha both offer a detachable boom mic that may be used casually for day-to-day use, while the mic on the Cloud II performs significantly better overall. They also have a little more versatile USB DAC with additional microphone control, but this adds little value given the lack of competent support software. While both headphones appear and feel comparable, the Cloud Alpha’s detachable audio wire makes it feel significantly more durable because it can be readily replaced. They feature a little more balanced sound profile as well.
Specs Comparison:
| Headset | Cable length | Weight | Compatibility |
| HyperX Cloud Alpha | 1.3m | 336g | Pc, PS4, Xbox One, and other platforms with a 3.5mm-port |
| HyperX Cloud 2 | 2m | 320g | PCs, Macs, PS4, Xbox One, and other platforms with a 3.5mm-port |
HyperX Cloud Alpha vs. Cloud 2 – Full Comparison
In this part of the article, we’ll be getting a closer look at the different aspects that affect your gaming experience while using each of these headsets. Going through these specs, you’ll know what to expect from each headset.
Design
Both headsets feature the same design that you’ll instantly fall in love with, mainly because the design speaks for what these headphones were built for, so anyone can tell they’re made for gaming as soon as their eyes fall on both headsets.
The anodized aluminum makes the headphones on top of the durable options you can currently find on the market. Moreover, it doesn’t interfere with comfort; the headphones are lightweight, and you can keep them on your head for extended periods without any struggles. They’re flexible and can be adjusted for a perfect fit, regardless of your head size.
Winner: Draw
Comfort
Comfort can’t be negotiated, especially for hardcore gamers who spend many hours with the headphones on. This is why HyperX made sure not to compromise it, even for those who wear glasses. Both the Cloud Alpha and Cloud 2 feature memory foam that’s easy on the ears. Moreover, you can adjust the ear cups and the headband for a perfect fit.
Winner: Draw
Sound Quality
No one can deny that both headphones sound great. However, the Cloud Alpha offers a cleaner sound that feels more natural. As it turns out, the reason behind this is the dual-chamber ear cup design that produces a more dynamic sound with a flatter frequency.
As for distortion, it isn’t an issue with either headset. Imaging and soundstage are the same with both headphones with excellent details and accuracy.
The drivers are larger than average in both headsets, making it much easier to push sound through the earcups. Battlefield games are outstanding while using both devices, but we’ll give some extra credit to the Cloud Alpha as it supports 7.1 surround sound without the need to connect to an external amplifier.
Winner: HyperX Cloud Alpha
Microphone
The microphones on both headphones are detachable, which is great because you can just remove them whenever you don’t need them or even replace them with fancier ones.
Nonetheless, we don’t think replacing the microphone is necessary with the HyperX Cloud Alpha; its quality is remarkable. It features noise cancellation, so your voice will be heard clearly during in-game chats, regardless of the environment you’re in.
With the Cloud 2, though, things are a bit different. The first thing to bear in mind is that you’ll have to place the microphone a little far from your mouth; otherwise, your teammates will hear you breathe.
Furthermore, we noticed that the mic’s sound is much better when you connect the microphone to the motherboard directly, so we recommend trying this out to see what works out best for you.
Winner: HyperX Cloud Alpha
Other Features
Although the sound quality and the microphone affect the gaming experience the most, one must consider other features that don’t do much for gaming, but the user experience instead.
With the HyperX Cloud Alpha, what stands out is that it’s certified by Teamspeak, which means that communicating with your teammates is as enjoyable as it could be. What’s even better is that the included cables are incredibly durable, owing to the braided design, and they feature different controls for the headphones’ volume and mic.
The HyperX Cloud 2, on the other hand, comes with many accessories that make it suitable for other purposes rather than just gaming. You’ll also get a splitter that you can use rather than directly connecting the 3.5mm jack in case you don’t want to connect the microphone and the audio altogether. This will come in handy when you want to use a dedicated microphone rather than the one that comes with the headset.
Additionally, there’s a mini amplifier with Cloud 2 that can be used to convert the stereo output into 7.1 surround sound, a technology that many gamers are familiar with. This makes locating enemies and positioning different sounds way more accurate. Accordingly, you will perform better in FPS games.
Winner: HyperX Cloud 2
Read also: SteelSeries Arctis 7 vs Logitech G933
What We Like and Don’t Like About The HyperX Cloud Alpha And The Cloud 2
In this section, we’ll summarise the best features that you get with each of these headsets, as well as the negative aspects that could have been enhanced. This way, you’ll have a sum to refer to after going through the specs to help you keep your ideas organized and thus pick the more suitable option.
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Pros:
- Excellent design
- Comfortable
- Durable cables
- Compatible with multiple platforms
- Outstanding sound quality
- Supports 7.1 surround sound
- Detachable microphone with noise cancellation
- Teamspeak-certified
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with many accessories
- Slightly heavier than the Cloud 2
HyperX Cloud 2
Pros:
- Modern design
- Extremely comfortable
- Earpads are detachable
- Both leather and fabric pads are included
- Compatible with many platforms
- Teamspeak-certified
Cons:
- Only supports 7.1 surround sound if you connect to the mini amplifier
- Microphone performance could be enhanced
Final Thoughts
It’s pretty clear that the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the better option here. However, it’s safe to say that the difference in performance isn’t that big of a deal. At the end of the day, you’ll get a premium sound and excellent durability from both sets. This is why –from where we stand- upgrading from the HyperX Cloud 2 to the Cloud Alpha isn’t necessary. Still, it’s your decision, of course; you do the math!