Ordered Kingston HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset

[Guest]

So I heard some good things about this headset so I ordered them for myself since my last over-ear headphones broke. Anyone have experience with this headset? They got some good reviews from various tech channels / sites. Only thing is I heard that the resistance is a bit high to get good sound from integrated audio drivers. Is it worth it to pick up a relatively inexpensive amp?

[alexyy]

Shouldn't be a issue, I'd actually test them before spending money though.

[blackadder]

Shouldn't be any problems i can use them with my phone.

[Guest]

Shouldn't be a issue, I'd actually test them before spending money though.

Unfortunately, it's hard for me to "test" things. The closest real computer store is 3 hours away and even they have a limited selection compared to Newegg or NCIX. I rely very heavily on reviews and customer ratings to get a good product.

[Guest]

No.

 

Unfortunately, it's hard for me to "test" things. The closest real computer store is 3 hours away and even they have a limited selection compared to Newegg or NCIX. I rely very heavily on reviews and customer ratings to get a good product.

 

He meant to test the headphones before spending money on an amp.

[Guest]

No.

He meant to test the headphones before spending money on an amp.

My bad, I read it wrong. I certainly will, I just don't have a basis of comparison because I don't know how good they can be

[Guest]

My bad, I read it wrong. I certainly will, I just don't have a basis of comparison because I don't know how good they can be

 

They're as good as they sound.

[KaminKevCrew]

My bad, I read it wrong. I certainly will, I just don't have a basis of comparison because I don't know how good they can be

An amp will make them louder. It won't improve the sound at all, aside from the increase in noise.

[Guest]

A more powerful signal can make a big difference for some headphones, particularly ones with higher than normal impedance. I know I said amp in the post, but external DACs are another option that isn't all that expensive on the low end, some running at under $100 that are still an improvement over onboard audio

[KaminKevCrew]

A more powerful signal can make a big difference for some headphones, particularly ones with higher than normal impedance. I know I said amp in the post, but external DACs are another option that isn't all that expensive on the low end, some running at under $100 that are still an improvement over onboard audio

False.

[iamdarkyoshi]

I own Turd Le Barf headphones (turtle beach) that I got for free. I used my brothers HyperX Clouds one day and HOLY SNOT!!! THEY ARE SO MUCH BETTER!!!

 

Comfort is great, sound is great, and they dont look like ass. Be prepaired to replace the cord though. I replaced his after not very long... @Iamdarkbowser

[Guest]

A more powerful signal can make a big difference for some headphones, particularly ones with higher than normal impedance. I know I said amp in the post, but external DACs are another option that isn't all that expensive on the low end, some running at under $100 that are still an improvement over onboard audio

 

• What's normal impedance?
• A headphone needs exactly as much power and voltage as is required to reach the desired listening volume. Impedance does not necessarily dictate that more or less power is required - that is dependent on the power sensitivity. For example the 120ohm AKG K612 requires over double power than the 600ohm Beyerdynamic T1 to reach a given volume.
• You can't run a headphone straight out of a DAC.

[Guest]

 

• What's normal impedance?
• A headphone needs exactly as much power and voltage as is required to reach the desired listening volume. Impedance does not necessarily dictate that more or less power is required - that is dependent on the power sensitivity. For example the 120ohm AKG K612 requires over double power than the 600ohm Beyerdynamic T1 to reach a given volume.
• You can't run a headphone straight out of a DAC.

 

Thanks for the response SSL, this is actually a good opportunity for me to learn something about audio equipment since I don't know a lot about that kind of tech.

- Normal impedance to me is the impedance of headphones that are designed to sound best over the widest range of consumer electronics as possible, from mobile phones to PC built-in audio. Since I heard that perhaps this headset benefits from a stronger signal than what might be considered " consumer average", I thought an external device (or possibly a good sound card) may improve the experience.

- Can you elaborate on "power" for me. Voltage should equate to the amplitude of the analog wave, but I'm not sure how the term power is used in this instance.

- Do they not make DAC units with the necessary built in circuitry to be compatible with a typical headphone input? My understanding is that the two main components needed is the digital to analog converter (the DAC portion) and then the amp to boost the amplitude (voltage) of the wave. Plus filters, feedback loops, etc. to clean up the signal.

[Guest]

Thanks for the response SSL, this is actually a good opportunity for me to learn something about audio equipment since I don't know a lot about that kind of tech.

- Normal impedance to me is the impedance of headphones that are designed to sound best over the widest range of consumer electronics as possible, from mobile phones to PC built-in audio. Since I heard that perhaps this headset benefits from a stronger signal than what might be considered " consumer average", I thought an external device (or possibly a good sound card) may improve the experience.

- Can you elaborate on "power" for me. Voltage should equate to the amplitude of the analog wave, but I'm not sure how the term power is used in this instance.

- Do they not make DAC units with the necessary built in circuitry to be compatible with a typical headphone input? My understanding is that the two main components needed is the digital to analog converter (the DAC portion) and then the amp to boost the amplitude (voltage) of the wave. Plus filters, feedback loops, etc. to clean up the signal.

 

• Lower impedance headphones are generally considered to be more universal, but lower impedance can introduce other issues that may actually make it less suited for a wide range of equipment. This is why professional headphones usually have higher impedance. Again, sensitivity matters here as well.
• Power is energy use over time. An amplifier amplifies voltage, but there has to be current flow over time for any work to be done. Power is simply the product of voltage and current.
• DACs cannot drive a load. They are designed to function with a nominal output voltage and minimal power, and expect to be connected to a high input impedance (1000+ ohms). This ensures that the signal is not degraded by splitters and the like. The "circuitry" for a headphone out to which you refer is called an amp.

[Guest]

 

• Lower impedance headphones are generally considered to be more universal, but lower impedance can introduce other issues that may actually make it less suited for a wide range of equipment. This is why professional headphones usually have higher impedance. Again, sensitivity matters here as well.
• Power is energy use over time. An amplifier amplifies voltage, but there has to be current flow over time for any work to be done. Power is simply the product of voltage and current.
• DACs cannot drive a load. They are designed to function with a nominal output voltage and minimal power, and expect to be connected to a high input impedance (1000+ ohms). This ensures that the signal is not degraded by splitters and the like. The "circuitry" for a headphone out to which you refer is called an amp.

 

That's what I thought you meant in saying power, just the way you put it saying "voltage and power" threw me off. As you said voltage and current are both a factor of power. I can see how the current you push through headphones would affect the sound they make and it makes sense that headphones are rated for a certain amount current. I guess going back to my original question, is anyone aware that these particular headphones benefit from a device designed to boost the amplitude or current of the signal from typical motherboard audio?

[KaminKevCrew]

That's what I thought you meant in saying power, just the way you put it saying "voltage and power" threw me off. As you said voltage and current are both a factor of power. I can see how the current you push through headphones would affect the sound they make and it makes sense that headphones are rated for a certain amount current. I guess going back to my original question, is anyone aware that these particular headphones benefit from a device designed to boost the amplitude or current of the signal from typical motherboard audio?

Hyperx cloud have a high enough sensitivity that it should be irrelevant, so long as your motherboard has a low enough output impedance.

[Guest]

Hyperx cloud have a high enough sensitivity that it should be irrelevant, so long as your motherboard has a low enough output impedance.

Thanks for your reply. I received my headset yesterday. No problems whatsoever with the sound on my z97e. In fact I'm very impressed with the quality for that price. Not quite as clear as the HDR 160's that was my last over ears, but at half the cost I wasn't expecting them to be. And the bass actually is better, not sounding like it was overly boosted just to compensate for the rest of the range

[KaminKevCrew]

Thanks for your reply. I received my headset yesterday. No problems whatsoever with the sound on my z97e. In fact I'm very impressed with the quality for that price. Not quite as clear as the HDR 160's that was my last over ears, but at half the cost I wasn't expecting them to be. And the bass actually is better, not sounding like it was overly boosted just to compensate for the rest of the range

That's why they get recommended so often for people looking at that price range

[Guest]

A bit late but this is what I was talking about that I was thinking about getting (not the headphones, the other thing):