Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones for Music Lovers: HyperX Cloud Orbit S Review

American company Audeze is known among the recording enthusiasts as a manufacturer of quality headphones with magnetic planar emitters. At the end of 2019 HyperX teamed up with Audeze for production Cloud orbit sto provide a much wider audience with high-quality audio previously only available to audiophiles.

The Cloud Orbit S headphones offer high-quality sound with gaming features not usually found in premium solutions: boom mic, built-in volume and EQ controls, PC app, and head tracking technology.

CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE AND THE HEADPHONES ITSELF

To the editorial board of the portal GameMAG.ru the test included headphones from the company HyperX Cloud orbit s… Planar Magnetic Device Audeze and 3D head tracking technologies Waves Nx offered at a price of 27 990 rubles and comes in a red and white box.

The set with the headphones contains all the necessary cables: USB Type-C – USB Type-A in fabric braid (3 meters), USB Type-C – USB Type-C (1.5 meters), AUX with 3.5 mm connectors ( 1.2 meters).

HyperX Cloud Orbit S will work with virtually any modern gaming device – from PC to Nintendo Switch, Xbox One or Playstation 4 – with varying degrees of functionality. Also included is a flexible detachable microphone with a pop filter for the left ear cup, a quick start guide, a pouch and a 1-year warranty.

The Cloud Orbit S is a large headphone with thick swivel earcups. The weight is almost 360 grams. The main body material is matte rubberized plastic (soft touch). Narrow headband with soft leatherette lining. The ear cushions are soft, with memory effect. The build quality is excellent.

Externally, the headphones are in many ways similar to the Audeze Mobius, there is even the Audeze logo on the headband. These are practically the same headphones, only without the possibility of wireless connection. And with a more affordable price.

All headphone controls are in the left ear cup. There are knobs for changing the volume and sensitivity of the microphone, a button for switching 3D modes. There is a USB-C port, a 3.5 mm jack, a microphone slot. On the side of the bowl there is a button for turning the headphones on and off, next to the top there is a lever for turning on / off the microphone.

BASIC OPPORTUNITIES

The 3D mode has four different settings: “3D Off”, “3D On”, “3D Manual” and “3D Automatic”.

The head tracking function works in “3D Manual” and “3D Automatic” modes. In manual mode, you set the position of the head with the center button, and in automatic mode, the position of the head is determined as it moves (although you can still use the center button for centering). When “3D On” is turned on, the sound becomes wider and more immersive. 3D works in both 2-channel and 7.1-channel modes. The effect is more pronounced from 7.1.

Almost all functions of the headset can be configured in the HyperX – Orbit application (downloaded for free on the official website of the gadget). You can adjust the surround sound parameters, select the available sound equalizer profiles, calibrate the sound. The opportunity to select modes is provided: “HI-RES”, “2 CHANNEL”, “7.1 CHANNEL”. It is better to listen to music in Hi-RES mode, where there are no additional effects.

The earphones have a built-in battery. Charge them before first use. When connected via the mini-jack, a full charge lasts approximately 10 hours. When connected via USB, the battery is not used.

The earbuds provide superior sound isolation with an ergonomic design and a comfortable fit. The ear cushions, like the headband, provide good compression.

Gaming headphones are designed to be used comfortably for a long time. And there is no problem with that – Cloud Orbit S is comfortable to wear even after 2-3 hours of playing or listening to music. Ears do not hurt, nothing squeezes.

The gadget has an advanced DSP-module with an amplifier. Range of reproducible frequencies: 10 – 50,000 Hz. A pair of 100mm Audeze planar magnesium drivers offer incredible audio clarity and hear details in games with utmost precision – from shots to footsteps. The headphones deliver balanced, detailed sound with a fairly spacious stage. In them, you will enjoy listening to music, which is rarely found in devices in the gaming category. Basically, you get Mobius sound quality for less money.

The detachable condenser microphone sits on a gooseneck and allows you to choose a position that suits you. It reduces bass emphasis quite noticeably. People, especially those with deep voices, may find that the sound is slightly distorted. It is also noticeable that it does not boost high frequencies too much. But still, it will be enough for use in games.

The key feature of these headphones is the Waves NX technology. HyperX Cloud Orbit S includes an accelerometer. It tracks the slightest movement of the user’s head (1000 times per second!) And generates a 360-degree soundscape around the player, which changes depending on the direction in which he is looking. This data is used to determine the position of the ears in relation to the sound source and to adjust the stereo sound.

By setting the center point, the orientation of the sound in space remains unchanged as long as you move your head. For example, if you are listening to music in 3D mode with headphones, after centering the sound (looking directly at the monitor), the sound goes evenly to both ears. When you turn your head to the left, the sound will move to your right ear. That is, the music shifts to the side facing the screen.

The technology allows you to assign keys or key combinations to head tilt. For example, in a shooter, set the “Q” and “E” buttons to turn the head to the right / left so that the character protrudes from the corner. This feature can be an interesting solution in flight simulators or racing simulators. If you have a VR headset, be sure to use the Cloud Orbit S headphones with it. This will maximize the immersion in the game and take the VR experience to the next level.

A version of the HyperX Cloud Orbit headphones is also available without the “S” at the end of the name. The only difference is the lack of a head tracking function. Well, and accordingly the price is a couple of thousand less.

TOTAL

If you are postponing buying an Audeze Mobius or any other high-end headset like Denon because of the price, then you might want to look towards the HyperX Cloud Orbit S. It offers slightly fewer features than the original Audeze Mobius (no Bluetooth). and the quality of the microphone is worse. Otherwise, this product is of a high level. HyperX Cloud Orbit S is an excellent gaming headset, one of the most functional and unusual on the market due to head tracking. And what is remarkable, this gaming solution is suitable even for audiophiles. Buying this device, you kill two birds with one stone.

More information on headphones can be obtained at HyperX website

Author: Alexey Olkin and Sergey Dyakonenko (Madnfs)

A photo: Alexey Olkin

Read also: Up to 30 Hours of Charge: Announced HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset

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