I'm sure you're all familiar with Kingston and their HyperX line of gaming memory and SSD's. Did you know that HyperX also makes gaming peripherals? Their original headset - the HyperX Cloud - has been out for a while and has gained a lot of praise from the gaming community.

When it comes to putting the HyperX Cloud II to the test it proved itself quite well. The comfort of this headset is up there with the best. The extra included velour cup cushions proved to be the best feeling and throughout testing we even felt as if it wasn't on.

The realm of gaming headsets is populated by many dubious quality and overpriced offerings shielded by the 'gaming' facade. The need for prospective buyers to do some research before they buy is particularly important for a gaming headset.

Extremely comfortable; Balanced audio profile; USB soundcard; Range of colours; Virtual 7.1 surround mode

Overly-long cable; Mic jack cover easily lost

There is no better headphone at this price point other than HyperX Cloud II that gives a stunning virtual 7.1 channel surround sound experience.

Solid construction quality Super comfortable ear cups Loud speaker drivers with 60 Ohm impedance Natural sounds with no artificial boosting or attenuation Very great performance vs price ratio

Cable is a little short unless you are using the USB sound card

Kingston's HyperX Cloud II headset feels like it is worth around $300, sounds like it is worth $200 and costs $100. We recommend this for any gamer looking for a game-winning headset.

The feel; Comfort in the long-run; Strong backbone; Easy to clean

Size issues; The microphone socket; USB; PRICING; United States; Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset for PC/PS4/Mobile retails for $97.29 at Amazon; Canada; Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset for PC/PS4/Mobile retails for CDN$204.08 at Amazon Canada

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

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

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

None

Gaming headsets don't have to be just for gaming. Any good set can also work well as regular stereo headphones , as long as they have a 3.5mm connection and sound good, and the boom mic doesn't get in the way.

Attractive, understated design; Solid build quality; Works with PCs and mobile devices as well as most modern game systems

Virtual 7.1-channel surround isn't effective; Besides the USB sound card, cable isn't detachable

Last year, Kingston shocked many gamers by releasing the HyperX Cloud, a surprisingly good gaming headset from folks who are known for selling storage drives. The company's new HyperX Cloud II retains its predecessor's cozy, stylish design while adding virtual 7.1 surround sound for extra immersion.

Best-in-class comfort; Stylish; lightweight design; Includes both pleather and plush ear covers

Lackluster bass; No software for customizing sound