Today we take a look at the Kingston HyperX Cloud II Headset, which hits the retail shelves this month. Following in the footsteps left by the original Cloud headset, Kingston aims to step it up a notch with better cable management / compatibility and the addition of the hardware-driven virtual 7.1...

Clear and crisp sound; Decent bass; Gaming consoles support; Very comfortable; Detachable cable & mic; Interchangeable cable/mic connectors; Velour and leather earpad sets included; High quality braided cable; Build-in DPS USB soundcard

7.1 virtual surround

This is a fantastic gaming headset and if you're involved in eSports, or just a keen gamer at home, you'll love what the Cloud II has to offer. You'll struggle to find anything better, or with a comparable feature set for the same kind of money and that makes this one of the best all-round headsets...

Excellent build quality; Very comfortable fit; Detachable microphone; Separate game/chat volume control; Multi-format support; Braided cables; Competitive price

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Last year we took a look at Kingston's original HyperX Cloud Gaming headset and there really was not

– Built with quality materials; – Great sound and 7.1 virtual surround sound; – Removable microphone; – Comes with carrying case; – Can be used in stereo or USB mode; – 2 different sets of earcups included

– No control software for the sound card; – Need an adapter if you want to use it in stereo mode with a PC and be able to use the microphone

KitGuru Says: Kingston's newly revamped Cloud II headset does not change the formula much, but that is a good thing. The surround features add a new element to an already stellar product without bumping the price up too much.

Gaming audio is fantastic; Although imperfect, 7.1 setting adds new dimension to gameplay, Metal frame means no creaking, making it great for Oculus Rift gaming, Great for music too, Plenty of volume, Microphone clarity is excellent, Supremely comfortable over multi-hour periods, Although not...

Virtual surround sound is not as good as the real deal; Audio cable should be on the right; Noise cancelling microphone is not perfect

Many people forgot the importance of a good sound system. Hearing footsteps behind you, to just listening to rain falling, a great sound system can change how you view a game. The Kingston HyperX Cloud ll, is not only a fantastic headset, but may be a game-changer in the world of gaming headphones.

Great sound; Solid build; 7.1 sounds amazing on PC

PS4 and Xbox One do not get 7.1; Short cord if not using USB extension

Besides some small issues like the large nature of the ear cups and microphone, coupled with its slightly heavy nature, the Kingston HyperX Cloud II is a headset well worth saving up an extra penny or two for. Go on, you won't regret it.

The Kingston HyperX Cloud II is a brilliant headset as it packs in plenty of bang for your buck and is well priced compared to its rivals. There are plenty of extras in the well presented box too, its mic is detachable and it works great with your PS4 and Xbox One.

Kingston's no stranger to high performance gaming-grade hardware and its HyperX Cloud II headset follows in the same suit; It's a sleek and understated headset that's attractive looking and doesn't scream that it's made for gaming, unlike some others that pack in LED lights into the cups.

There's not too much to dislike about Kingston's HyperX Cloud II headset, as it ticks all the right boxes for what you're after with a gaming headset; One minor complaint is that the headset's cord is not removable from the headset, which can make it a pain to keep tidy if you're throwing it in your...

We've seen a lot of gaming headsets coming out from companies that were not audio experts to begin with, such as Corsair, BitFenix and Thermaltake. Kingston did the same with the HyperX Cloud gaming headset and it was a smashing success.

Introduction HyperX, a sub-division of Kingston, hit the market strong over the few last years. They have created a name that has been praised by many and they have taken a big leap into PC Peripherals and Accessories arena.

Excellent comfort ability; Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound; USB Sound Card; Variety of Colors Available

Long cables

The Kingston HyperX Cloud II is a brilliant headset as it packs in plenty of bang for your buck and is well priced compared to its rivals. There are plenty of extras in the well presented box too, its mic is detachable and it works great with your PS4 and Xbox One.