1. Introduction2. Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

I had a hard time deciding how to score the HyperX Cloud Revolver S.

One one hand, it is a really well-built headset thanks to its strong, steel frame, while the beautifully soft memory-foam ear cushions provide great levels of comfort.

It is also a top performer when in stereo mode, with strong bass reproduction but an overall balanced mix, which makes it great for all sorts of tasks, not just gaming. I am also appreciative of the bass-boost EQ option, as this can definitely provide some extra intensity to gritty gunfights, for example.

However, that being said, the Revolver S is all about the surround-sound, and I just do not rate the headset's Dolby 7.1 surround. It does let you identify the direction where sounds are coming from, but it drastically affects the overall sound quality – it sounds like a massive reverb effect has been added to the audio. I would definitely say other virtual 7.1 headsets like the Corsair Void and Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 offer higher-fidelity surround-sound solutions.

Furthermore, I found voice-chat to be essentially unusable with the Revolver S in surround mode, as voices just sound so echoey and distant. Switching back to stereo mode instantly improves the intensity and detail of the audio.

All-in-all, then, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S has to go down as a disappointment. Yes, it is well-built and sounds great when listening in stereo – but since the original Revolver is essentially the same headset, just without the added surround capabilities, it seems like a much better bet considering it is also £50 cheaper. If you really like the Revolver series and want to try it with surround, the Revolver S may be worth considering, but I'd recommend the original Revolver if you want the look and feel of the Revolver S, as you still great stereo quality while saving yourself £50.

You can buy one for £139.99 inc. VAT from Overclockers UK HERE. The original Revolver is available for £89.99 inc. VAT HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

Pros

• Well-built.
• Comfortable to use.
• Sounds great in stereo mode.
• Bass-boost EQ option is great for FPS gaming.

Cons

• Surround-sound is far too echoey to be pleasant to use.
• Because of the poor surround, it is hard to justify the extra £50 over the original Revolver headset.
• £139.99 is a lot of money for any virtual-surround gaming headset, no matter how good.

KitGuru says: While I enjoyed my time with the Revolver S when using it in stereo mode, the original Revolver seems like a much better bet considering its £50 cheaper.

Become a Patron!