HyperX Cloud II (red) — research dossier

Full review

HyperX Cloud II (red) — research dossier

Version: 1
Checked: 2026-09-28
Canonical product id: hyperx-cloud-ii
Evidence labels: PRIMARY manufacturer/manual/retailer; INDEPENDENT professional testing; COMMUNITY owners/forums.

Summary

The HyperX Cloud II (red) (ASIN B00SAYCXWG(paid link), historically Kingston catalog identifier KHX-HSCP-RD) is a closed-back wired headset with 53 mm drivers, a detachable noise-cancelling boom mic, an aluminum frame and a USB control box that creates virtual 7.1 from a stereo signal. It suits buyers who prioritize long-session comfort, straightforward analog operation and sturdy build over software features, and who understand that its reputation was built on the original Kingston-built version.

The main caveats are revision identity and repairability. HyperX changed ownership and later Cloud II production differs from the original Kingston specification, so old test results and reviews cannot be assumed to describe every unit sold today under the same name or ASIN. The main audio cable is also not detachable, making cable failure harder to repair, and hinge-cap cracking recurs in owner communities.

Verified specifications

• Original Kingston KHX-HSCP-RD: dynamic 53 mm neodymium drivers; closed circumaural; 60 ohm; 98 ±3 dB; under 2% THD; 150 mW; 15 Hz–25 kHz; roughly 20 dBA passive attenuation; 5 N headband pressure. PRIMARY
• Current HP/HyperX page: 53 mm dynamic neodymium; 60 ohm; 98 dBSPL/mW; under 2% THD; 10 Hz–23 kHz (conflicts with the original Kingston range; revision evidence). PRIMARY
• Microphone: detachable electret condenser noise-cancelling/unidirectional boom; original published response 50 Hz–18 kHz, −39 ±3 dB; current HP page lists −42 dBV sensitivity. PRIMARY
• Connection: analog 4-pole 3.5 mm headset; USB 2.0 control box adds audio controls and virtual 7.1. HyperX states the virtual 7.1 effect is ultimately a 2-channel stereo signal. No Bluetooth or wireless. PRIMARY
• Platforms: PC plus analog-compatible console/mobile; current HyperX page lists PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series/One, Switch and mobile, with feature availability varying by connection. PRIMARY
• Weight: 320 g; 1 m headset cable (original sources: about 350 g with mic and cable, plus roughly 2 m USB extension/control-box lead). PRIMARY
• Materials: aluminum frame/yokes, padded headband, memory-foam ear cushions, closed-back earcups. PRIMARY
• Power: passive analog operation needs no battery; the USB control box is bus-powered. PRIMARY
• Original Kingston retail package: headset, detachable mic, USB sound card/control box, leatherette pads plus alternate velour pads, airplane adapter and mesh carry bag; current regional/package revisions may vary. PRIMARY
• Warranty: HyperX US currently gives headsets (except Cloud Orbit) a 2-year limited warranty for the original end user; used products and physical damage excluded. PRIMARY
• Independent test (RTINGS, Kingston sample): balanced overall sound, good bass/mids but inconsistent and occasionally sharp treble; bass delivery changes with fit and glasses; strong build and comfort; negligible wired latency; good microphone with strong noise handling; poor passive isolation and somewhat warm/bulky cups. RTINGS explicitly limits these findings to the pre-HP Kingston variant. INDEPENDENT
• Independent test (Tom's Guide): praised comfort very strongly over extended use; gaming audio impressive though not fully balanced. INDEPENDENT

Strengths

• Long-session comfort. Comfort is the most consistent theme across both professional and owner evidence, with memory foam and light-for-size fit. INDEPENDENT/COMMUNITY
• Sturdy construction. The aluminum frame and yokes are repeatedly cited as strong, and multiple owners describe multi-year life. INDEPENDENT/COMMUNITY
• Low wired latency. Independent testing found negligible wired latency, which matters for competitive play. INDEPENDENT
• Useful microphone with noise handling. RTINGS rated the mic good with strong noise handling, and the boom is detachable. INDEPENDENT
• Simple no-battery design. Analog operation needs no charging, and the detachable mic and replaceable pads extend practical life. PRIMARY/COMMUNITY
• No software dependency. The classic Cloud II has no companion EQ/app, so setup is plug-and-play, with virtual 7.1 handled by the USB box. PRIMARY
• Documented longevity examples. One owner documented a seven-year Kingston pair still functioning with only pads and mic foam replaced. COMMUNITY

Weaknesses / limitations

• Revision identity is ambiguous. The ASIN originated as the Kingston KHX-HSCP-RD, but current HP-era production differs in specification and, per owner A/B reports, in sound and build; measured Kingston results should not be transferred blindly to an HP unit. PRIMARY/INDEPENDENT/COMMUNITY
• Captive main cable. The primary headset cable is not detachable, so a cable failure can require soldering or replacement work. PRIMARY
• Hinge-cap cracking. Multiple owner reports describe plastic hinge caps cracking or breaking, including on replacement pairs, with third-party or 3D-printed parts used as fixes. Recurring community evidence, not a quantified defect rate. COMMUNITY
• Fixed-cable failures. Reports describe one or both channels cutting out and returning when the cable is moved; a 2026 owner report describes an internal driver wire breaking with a possible solder repair. COMMUNITY
• Treble and fit sensitivity. Independent testing found treble occasionally sharp and bass changing with seal and glasses. INDEPENDENT
• Weak isolation and heat. Poor passive isolation and warm, bulky closed cups are supported by independent testing. INDEPENDENT
• Wear items. Pads and mic foam eventually peel or flake with age and need replacement. COMMUNITY
• Limited official parts. In a 2025 Reddit response, the official HyperX account said direct spare-part sales were paused after the HP acquisition, with replacements handled more through RMA. COMMUNITY

Recurring praise

Long-session comfort is the most consistent theme across professional and owner evidence. Multiple long-term owners describe multi-year life, including one documented seven-year Kingston pair still working with only pads and mic foam replaced. Owners also value the simple wired no-battery design, the detachable mic and replaceable pads, and the older Kingston tuning has a particularly loyal following, with some buyers specifically seeking the pre-HP version. COMMUNITY/INDEPENDENT

Recurring complaints/caution signals

Revision and tuning complaints recur: independent community reports say newer HP-era replacements can sound noticeably different from old Kingston units, which is corroborated by RTINGS' explicit variant warning, though prevalence is unknown. Hinge-cap cracking and fixed-cable failures recur in owner communities, and pads and mic foam peel with age. Poor passive isolation and heat buildup are supported by independent testing. These are signals rather than a measured defect rate. COMMUNITY/INDEPENDENT

Source conflicts / discrepancies

1. Unresolved across revisions; both are preserved. PRIMARY
2. Mic sensitivity. Original −39 ±3 dB versus current −42 dBV. Unresolved and revision-dependent. PRIMARY
3. Package contents. The legacy box included velour pads, airplane adapter and a bag, while the current package can vary by region and revision; legacy accessories should not be promised without current-box evidence. PRIMARY
4. Exact ASIN revision. B00SAYCXWG maps historically to KHX-HSCP-RD, but marketplace fulfillment may contain later HP production. Unresolved at the individual-unit level. PRIMARY/MARKET

Unanswered questions

• Which manufacturer/revision is presently shipped by Amazon US under B00SAYCXWG?
• Does the current US B00SAYCXWG box still include the full Kingston-era accessory set?
• No controlled Kingston-versus-HP exact-revision A/B measurement was found.
• Hinge and cable complaint prevalence cannot be estimated from community posts.
• Whether the virtual 7.1 control box behaves identically across revisions.

Sources checked

1. Kingston Cloud II headset manual — https://media.kingston.com/support/downloads/HX_Cloud2_Headset_Manual.pdf
2. Current HyperX Cloud II product page — https://fr.hyperx.com/products/hyperx-cloud-ii
3. HyperX limited warranty statement — https://hyperx.com/pages/limited-warranty-statement
4. Amazon exact ASIN — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SAYCXWG
5. ASInsight HyperX report — https://www.asinsight.com/report/US/hyperx
6. Walmart Cloud II category — https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/cloud-ii 7.
7. RTINGS Cloud II vs Cloud III comparison — https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/hyperx-cloud-2-cloud-ii-hyperx-cloud-iii/502/40554 9.
8. Crutchfield Cloud II listing — https://www.crutchfield.com/p_357CLD2PRO/HyperX-Cloud-II.html
9. eNostech Cloud II review — https://www.enostech.com/hyperx-cloud-ii-headset-review/
10. Reddit r/HyperX thread — https://www.reddit.com/r/HyperX/comments/vsnl78
11. Reddit r/HyperX thread — https://www.reddit.com/r/HyperX/comments/174nbef
12. Reddit r/HyperX thread — https://www.reddit.com/r/HyperX/comments/1aov2k9
13. Reddit r/HyperX thread — https://www.reddit.com/r/HyperX/comments/c43zxd
14. Reddit r/HyperX broken driver cable — https://www.reddit.com/r/HyperX/comments/1s1thne/hyperx_cloud_2_broken_driver_cable/
15. Reddit r/HyperX replacement-parts thread — https://www.reddit.com/r/HyperX/comments/1hus5wq/hyperx_no_longer_sells_replacement_parts/