HyperX Cloud MIX - Wired Gaming Headset + Bluetooth, Game and Go, Detachable Microphone, Signature Comfort, Lightweight, Multi Platform Compatible - Black

Well, it finally happened: my pair of HyperX Cloud MIXes exploded today, after more than 40 months of daily use and abuse. Definitely the best lifespan I've ever gotten out of a headset -- and they still work.This is my third HyperX Cloud headset, and the first two (an original and a Core unit) lasted for three and two years, respectively, which I consider good for a headset. I've been watching the deterioration of the MIXes accelerate over the last year -- the leatherette shedding, the plastic collars on the headband cracking --I replaced the ear cups ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZS1D1QT/ ) at the beginning of 2022, and within the last month, the mechanical mute on the audio cable failed. I use a discontinued HyperX in-line DAC with a software mute ( https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Amp-Sound-Card-HX-USCCAMSS-BK/dp/B07GW1SHSN ), so I just soldiered on.Today, the right headband collar burst, whacking me pretty good in the side of the head and scaring the heck out of me.The right cup is still attached, but I can only use it at minimum extension, which means the other cup is at maximum extension, putting even more strain on the left collar. I'm sure its days are numbered as well, as it is already badly cracked. I'm buying a new headset so that I have it on hand, but I have no intention of tossing the MIXes until they no longer stay on my head or they go silent.I have my eye on the new Cloud IIIs -- even though the cable is not detachable (usually a dealbreaker!), the single-piece headband collars look well engineered, and I never had to replace the detachable cable on the MIXes...Some life-extending advice that I think is applicable to any headset:- Look for a detachable audio cable! They are worth paying extra for. The connection between the cable and the ear cup is almost always the first point of electronic failure due to yanking and normal wear from movement. Once it breaks, the whole headset is trash.- Cut the fabric on any wrapped cables! It may protect the cable from external damage, but it keeps the internal wires from sliding when the cable inevitably twists, increasing stress and accelerating internal breakage. Don't forget about the smaller cables connecting the earcups to the headband, if they are external!- Tie the audio cable around the ear cup support! Whether the cable is detachable or not, moving the headset around puts strain on the weakest link: the connectors. Looping the cable around the support in a simple overhand knot protects transfers the strain to the structure of the headset, protecting the connection with the ear cup and lengthening the life of the audio cable. Official replacement cables are hard to come by and third-party replacements are generally made in China to minimum standard -- don't rely on one until you must!- Note the headband collars! If the connection between the ear cups and headband is plastic, DON'T BUY THE HEADSET; that's a new purchase in under a year, guaranteed. If the connection is metal but the collar is plastic, reinforce the collars with a few tight wraps of good tape rated for tension and heat. Some folks like an ear cup that swivels; personally, I think it is just asking for trouble unless you've got a weirdly shaped head. I'm not judging.For clarity, I've never used the Bluetooth connection on the MIXes; my gaming rig is fully wired, and doesn't even have a Bluetooth MB or card, so I can't comment on the wireless or battery functionality. I bought them purely for the detachable audio cable, as an internal cable break is how both of the previous HyperX Cloud headsets failed.

This is my first set of wireless headphones, and I bought them with some trepidation. The optional wire helped me hedge my bets. The advertised frequency response was the broadest of any headset I looked at. I'm coming from a pair of HyperX Cloud II that lasted a solid three years. I've only had them for a few days, but they feel like good quality. My previous experience with HyperX headphones has been good. $200 is pretty steep, but I bought them to use for everything: gaming, music, listening to podcasts, phone and video calls, and traveling.Pros:* Excellent sound* Feels like good quality* Light for this quality and features* Easy controls* Easy Bluetooth setup* Good wireless range* Good battery life* Built in microphone* Detachable boom microphone* Detachable wire* Not compact, but can be stripped down for travel* Good for everything* Comfortable to wear for hours* USB chargingCons:* $200 price* No Bluetooth disconnect on the headphonesOpinion* More closed than I'd like* A little tight* USB-C charging would be preferredSound quality is extremely important to me, and the sound is excellent. Better than my previous HyperX Cloud II. Very crisp. Good bass. As advertised, the frequency response is very wide. While they're more closed than I'd like, I can pick up on more nuance. The closed sound also blocks outside noise making it easier to listen while doing chores or in noisy environments.I find them a little tight on my head, but they're quite comfortable for wearing all day. They sit well on the head and around the neck. Padding is good. While they're by no means light, for their quality and feature set they're light.The optional wire is an attractive feature. Nearly every pair of headphones I've ever had has failed at the headphone jack, being able to replace the wire should increase the life of the headphones. My gaming PC does not have Bluetooth, so I can use the wire and not worry about delay while playing games. It comes with both a 3.5" headphone jack, and a splitter for PCs.Bluetooth wireless was easy to setup on my Android phone and Macbook. The wireless freedom has been excellent, I can set music or podcasts going on my phone and forget about it. No wires to get in the way. Good range means I can go to adjacent rooms and still listen. There's a handful of controls on the headphones: volume, power, and a do-everything button. The volume and do-everything buttons are decently textured and easy to find by touch. The power button is recessed to avoid accidentally pushing it, but easy to use when you intend to. The do-everything button is straightforward. It can pause and unpause, skip to the previous or next track, answer or hangup on calls, and bring up a voice assistant. My only complaint is there's no way to disconnect from a device on the headphones, I must do it from the device; this makes switching between a phone and a computer a little more involved.Charging is easy, micro-USB. USB-C would be a nice feature, everything else I have is moving to USB-C. Battery life has been excellent so far, I use them all day with no concerns.While they're by no means compact, they can be stripped down for traveling by removing the wire and boom mic. The built in microphone works fine while traveling. USB charging and long battery life means it needs no special cables. It comes with a nice bag to protect them.There's a very small LED to show status. Blue for normal. Red for charging. It blinks occasionally. In normal light this is fine, but I woke up one night to find my bedroom crazily lit by blue flashes wondering if the police were outside. It was the status LED. You might want to put some tape over it.

I've been using my Cloud Mix for years now and it's worked great. I love the option to use it as bluetooth or wired. The wired option is just coax but I pair it with the HyperX Amp USB sound card which together makes it a bit too long but it all works great and I have flexibility in connectivity. My ear pads and mic pad have needed to be replaced but that is expected having it for 5 years.

So the bluetooth works great, I've been able to wear my headset around the house (2 stories) and never dropped connection. Audio quality is great for music and gaming...if you're an audiophile that's looking for perfect sound then no...get something else. I would say the best reason to get this is if you want bluetooth.For the cons, there's a few.1) It is engineered to fail after a few years (2-3). This is my 3rd set that I'm buying now and the previous 2 broke in the exact same way. The first broke after 18 months, the 2nd broke after 30 months(ish). The break occurs in the exact same location which is where the aluminum frame meets the plastic headrest. The plastic is brittle and will eventually crack and break, when it does the aluminum part will fall out and is not fixable. You will have to buy a replacement.2) Audio pop intermittently. I don't know what causes this and it happens maybe once every few days maybe? There is a LOUD pop in one ear that's hard to describe. But it's not often enough to stop using.3) The ear muffs will start to break down and flake after about 10-12 months. I usually end up having to buy replacements about once a year. Something to consider.