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HyperX Cloud III – Gaming Headset

HyperX Cloud III – Gaming Headset

By HyperX · Gaming Headsets · Audio & Electronics · More from HyperX

  • 53mm angled dynamic drivers
  • 10mm detachable noise-cancelling mic
  • DTS Headphone:X spatial audio
  • 3.5mm / USB-C / USB-A connectivity
  • 308g weight with leatherette memory foam

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Summary

A wired over-ear gaming headset with 53 mm drivers, a detachable boom mic and both 3.5 mm and USB connections, launched May 2023. Check before buying: the main cable is fixed and not replaceable, and some owners report USB microphone dropouts.

Strengths

  • Microphone is clear enough for game chat and calls.
  • Analog plus USB-C/USB-A covers many setups without a separate DAC.
  • Wired design avoids charging, radio interference and battery aging.
  • Ear cushions are removable and replaceable.

Weaknesses

  • The main 3.5 mm cable is fixed and cannot be unplugged or easily replaced.
  • No active noise cancellation; only passive isolation.
  • USB microphone dropouts and gain changes are reported by some owners.
  • Volume wheel can develop right-channel cutout in some units.
  • Bass assessments conflict across reviewers.

Verified specifications

Identities727A9AA (black/red), 727A8AA (black).
Driversangled 53 mm neodymium dynamic; over-ear, closed-back.
Frequency response10 Hz-21 kHz; impedance 64 ohms; sensitivity 100 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz; THD under 2%.
Weightabout 308 g without microphone, 320 g with.
Microphonedetachable 10 mm unidirectional electret condenser; response 50 Hz-17 kHz; sensitivity -42 dBV/Pa; mesh pop filter; mute LED.
Connectivityfixed 1.2 m 4-pole CTIA 3.5 mm cable; included 1.3 m USB-C adapter with USB-C to USB-A converter; USB audio at 16/24-bit, 44.1/48/96 kHz.
CompatibilityPC, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, mobile with suitable connectors.
DTS HeadphoneX spatial sound via USB/PC software; not over analog.
Controlsearcup volume wheel, mic mute button, red mic-status LED.
Box contentsheadset, detachable mic, USB-C adapter, USB-C to USB-A adapter, quick-start guide.
Warrantytwo years limited for qualifying new original-owner US headsets.
Full research notes and sources

Sound and microphone

Independent assessments disagree on bass: Tom’s Hardware and PC Gamer liked it, RTINGS measured a leaner low end, and SoundGuys was distinctly critical of stock sound. Fit, measurement fixture and taste all matter, so try before committing. The DTS Headphone:X spatial effect is subtle rather than transformative, and it only works over USB with compatible software. The microphone is intelligible but not especially loud, with some sibilance; chat partners may need gain adjustment. There is no ANC, so outside noise and leakage remain audible at high volume.

Problems owners report

These are individual reports, not a reliable defect rate.

  • USB microphone stops working: a brand-new unit’s mic went silent mid-game while playback stayed normal; unplugging and reconnecting the inline USB adapter temporarily restored it. No confirmed root cause.
  • USB adapter reconnects: another owner saw the sound card repeatedly disconnect when the cable moved, after about one hour of use.
  • Mic level changes by itself: Windows mic level fell from 100 to about 80-85 during speech; plain 3.5 mm avoided it.
  • Volume wheel dropout: one owner’s right channel cut out when moving the wheel starting about a week after purchase; another saw intermittent faults after about 1.5 years and received a replacement.
  • Cushion wear: one user replaced pads around 11 months due to sweat stickiness.
  • Cable tangling: the fixed cable can tangle; one owner reported over a year without failure, another intermittent tangling.

Diagnostic sequence: test 3.5 mm direct analog first, then the USB adapter on another computer and port, confirm Windows default device and physical mute, reseat the boom mic, and test without NGENUITY. If intermittent issues persist in warranty, capture evidence and contact HyperX.

Parts and running costs

No battery, subscription or scheduled consumable. Direct required annual cost is $0 under ordinary use. Aftermarket Wicked Cushions ear pads cost $21.45 per pair for Cloud 3 wired and wireless; one pair every two years averages about $10.73 per year, excluding shipping and tax, but that interval is hypothetical, not a manufacturer prescription. No official HyperX replacement boom mic, USB adapter, cable, headband or driver part numbers or prices were found. The fixed main cable cannot be replaced by simple unplugging; hardware repair may be possible through qualified technicians, but no manufacturer-approved service rate was published.

Is it worth it?

Recent October 2026 US offers have put black/red at $57.99 at Best Buy and red at $57.99 at Walmart, against a $99.99 list. At $45-60 delivered it is a good deal for comfort and analog plus USB. At $61-75 it is still reasonable, but compare the HyperX Cloud Alpha wired at $69.99, which has a detachable main cable and dual-chamber drivers. Above $80, wait for a sale or consider the Razer BlackShark V2 X at $59.99 or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 around $54.90. Do not pay $100 without comparing $50-70 wired competitors.

Which model this is

The wired HyperX Cloud III, launched May 2023, SKUs 727A9AA (black/red) and 727A8AA (black). Not the Cloud III Wireless, Wireless S or Cloud Alpha. The 3.5 mm analog lead does not detach; USB features require the included adapter and compatible software.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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