At a Glance
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S Headset is a solid entry into the gaming headset category. With its relatively budget-friendly price tag, it can be an excellent choice for gamers who are looking for a headphone that won't burn a hole through their pockets.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S improved upon its predecessors in more ways than one, while maintaining all essential features that endeared the previous model to the public.
But how does the Revolver S compare to other gaming headphones? Let's find out.
Main Features
Design
If you are familiar with the first HyperX Cloud Revolver headphones, then you should have an idea with what to expect with the Revolver S in terms of design.
The Revolver S features the same robust steel-frame design and large ear cups. Aesthetically, the only difference would be that white highlights have replaced the red highlights from the original Revolver.
The Revolver S also lacks subtlety and will be quite an eye-catching headset if worn in public due to its rather bulky appearance and industrial design.
It might be too tacky for some to wear in general, that being said, it is quite comfortable to wear and does not press on the ears too much.
Comfort
As stated previously, the Revolver S feels comfortable to wear even during prolonged gaming sessions. There were even times when I forget I'm wearing these headsets.
This is an outstanding quality to have as gaming sessions usually last for more than an hour. The last thing you want is for your ears to start hurting after just an hour of gaming, a case that is prevalent with a cheap headphone with overtly tight headbands.
The ear cups are quite spacious and use faux-leather material. The headband is also well-integrated into both ear cups as the pressure feels evenly balanced on both sides.
Not only is the Revolver S comfortable, but it also manages to retain a snug fit over my head. This allowed me to swivel my head around without worrying about the Revolver S headset slipping off.
Audio and Microphone
The Revolver S features 50mm drivers which provide users with a larger soundstage.
However, since it uses 3.5mm jacks, the quality of sound will be based on the hardware it is connected to. Lower end gaming rigs won't be able to push the Revolver S to its optimum performance.
That being said, if you have a moderate to high-end PC, you will be able to squeeze the Revolver S headphone's potential for all it's worth.
Testing the headphones with incredibly atmospheric games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4 version) and Alien: Isolation (PC version) left me impressed.
The Revolver S managed to produce every audio nuance in the environment, further enhancing my immersion in the game.
This was especially great in atmospheric horror games such as Alien: Isolation where the audio had me jumping at every background noise in the game.
Notable Features
A very welcome upgrade here is with its inclusion of Dolby 7.1 surround sound technology. You can switch this feature on with a press of a button as it is built-in into the headset right out of the box.
I want to note one particular flaw I noticed when the 7.1 surround sound is activated.
While the detail was on-point during most of my game, with the audio being considerably louder, I saw some muddling from time to time.
This wasn't always the case, but with games like Call of Duty where explosions and gunfire abound, it seems that the Revolver S was having a bit of a hard time keeping up.
I would also like to note an interesting difference I noticed with using the Revolver S on both PC and consoles.
Comparing the performance of the HyperX Cloud Revolver S between console and PC showcased better overall quality audio for the consoles.
It appears that the HyperX Cloud Revolver S based its construction around the current generation of consoles. If you are primarily a console gamer, you might want to include the Revolver S to your shortlist of headphones.
The difference was even more noticeable with games like Resident Evil 7 (which I played for both PC and PS4).
Every howl of the wind and floorboard creak was crisp, boosting my experience of the game to terrifying new heights.
It appears that the Revolver S is best suited for console players as it seems to deliver a more consistent performance on that platform compared to PCs.
Of course, as we pointed out earlier in this review, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S headset performs at the level of the hardware.
It could be that some PC gaming rig setups might be too much to handle for the Revolver S.
Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion:
The Revolver S is a step above its predecessor on all accounts. The durable construction is further heightened by an incredibly comfortable ear cup and headband design.
It is also quite versatile as it can provide stable audio quality on both PC and consoles, more so for the console. It also comes ready with 7.1 surround sound, but condition will vary depending on the hardware and game you are using this feature.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S offers a lot to both casual and serious gamers at a budget-friendly price.
Sure, it won't be able to stand side-by-side with premium gaming headphones. But it brings enough to the table to help you fully immerse yourself in the game without breaking your bank.
Overall, the Revolver S is a well-rounded gaming headset with decent surround sound capability. Try it out first to see if it manages to provide what you are looking for in a gaming headphone.