The Cloud Stinger 2 Wireless Gaming Headset from HyperX is a budget-conscious PC gaming headset aimed at providing a solid audio experience for gamers. Featuring Spatial Audio, a 20-hour battery life, and flip-to-mute mic controls, the Cloud Stinger 2 offers solid features at an affordable price. With HyperX’s signature look and feel, there’s a lot to like in this iteration of the Stinger lineup.
The Cloud Stinger 2 retains some of the original’s design elements but with modern updates. HyperX has shifted from a seamless band-to-earcup design to a more modern swivel attachment, resulting in a more flexible and adaptable band and earcup design. The earcups also swivel 90 degrees, allowing you to wrap the Stinger 2 around your neck when you need a quick break while still listening to audio.
The earcups feature distinct concave elements along the edge, helping the Cloud Stinger 2 stand out in a crowded market. The headband includes an exceptionally comfortable pad on top, which complements the leatherette-wrapped memory foam earcups. Even when wearing glasses, the Stinger 2 remains comfortable during long gaming sessions.
In terms of comfort, the earcups enclose the ears nicely, applying just enough pressure to create a seal without being too tight. The result is a comfortable, closed-back design that should accommodate a wide range of users. This flexibility extends to the entire design of the Cloud Stinger 2, which adapts well to different head shapes and sizes. Initially, there was concern that this flexibility would result in a flimsy structural design. However, after a few weeks of testing, the headset has proven to maintain a sturdy feel while being flexible and adaptable.
“The Cloud Stinger 2 brings some of the look and feel of the originals but with some nice modern updates.”
The attached microphone offers a flip-to-mute design, which is a staple for gaming headsets. The design is tried and tested in the case of the Stinger 2, which tucks nicely against the earcup, essentially blending in with the side of the headset. Aside from the mic control, the Stinger 2 also includes a power switch and volume dial for easy control. It lacks any sort of mic gain control but is serviceable and easy to access while gaming. HyperX has designed a solid headset in the form of the Cloud Stinger 2. From its flexible and swivel-enabled headband to its exceptionally comfortable earcups, the Stinger 2 is well-built.
The Cloud Stinger 2 offers a plug-and-play experience for gamers, thanks to the included USB Type-A 2.4GHz wireless dongle. Once plugged in and the headset is turned on, you can immediately start using the Stinger 2. However, to fully unlock its potential, you’ll need to download the HyperX NGENUITY software. Much like the simple initial setup, once installed, NGENUITY connects to the headset and is ready to enhance the experience. The software is user-friendly and provides control over microphone settings and EQ options, with both preset and custom profiles available.
Looking at the internal components, HyperX has opted for 50mm Dynamic drivers constructed with Neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets are some of the strongest magnets constructed for audio devices. In the case of headphones, they offer a smaller, more compact magnet solution that manages to contain more magnetic energy than other magnets on the market. The result is higher audio sensitivity and output while drawing less power than other sources.
These 50 mm drivers produce impressive sound in the Cloud Stinger 2 context. All testing was performed on the new HP Victus 16 (look for our review of the laptop soon). In recent years, HP and HyperX have been working in tandem to create an all-in-one solution for gamers, and we were able to test out that collaboration for this review.
The base audio profile is clean while producing weighty low-end frequencies, which is ideal for gaming. In testing, the Stinger 2 performed well. Frequency tests were clean across the board with no notable trouble areas. The low end was exceptionally punchy but not to the point of overwhelming the rest of the mix. Higher frequencies, the ones responsible for dialogue specifically, were still clean and easy to hear even in heavier mix settings (such as the always fun and chaotic DOOM Eternal).
The Stinger 2 also supports full Spatial Audio. It performed well in testing, offering a clear, accurate 3D audio experience in real time. In real-world testing, directional gunfire and footsteps were presented accurately in distance and direction. Overall, the audio-listening experience is solid, immersive, and ideal for gaming.
As for the microphone, HyperX has included a Bi-directional microphone with noise-cancelling properties. The bi-directional design offers a cleaner, more accurate audio capture by rejecting all audio on the sides of the mic while capturing only the back and front of the mic. Mic tests captured a clean and clear audio capture for the most part.
“The Cloud Stinger 2 is great sounding and comfortable but doesn’t stand out against the competition.”
While the Stinger 2 boasts noise cancellation for the microphone in testing, while it did reduce the background noise, it was still noticeable in the capture. The capture also cuts some of the low end out of the vocals, reducing the overall quality. While the overall capture is clear and easy to understand, it does lack some of the overall quality of the audio source. It’s very serviceable and will work for communicating with teammates.
The battery life on the Stinger 2 is the one area that could be better. While a 20-hour battery life is nothing to scoff at compared to similarly priced gaming headsets with similar feature sets, it’s on the lower end. Without naming names, some other leading brands easily push 60-80 hours of battery life at a similar price point. Again 20 hours should get you through most gaming sessions, you’ll simply be charging more frequently than with other brands.
This is my critique of the Cloud Stinger 2 in general. While it offers a solid audio profile, plug-and-play experience and some solid quality-of-life features, there is nothing that makes it truly stand out from the competition. Other headsets offer a similar audio experience in both driver and microphone capture while still allowing for better battery life. The Cloud Stinger 2 is great sounding and comfortable but doesn’t stand out against the competition.
The Cloud Stinger 2 wireless gaming headset is a solid entry for HyperX. It offers a solid audio listening experience, decent microphone capture and an easy plug-and-play experience. While the battery life is serviceable, it is below average for its price point, and the headset overall lacks any notable features that help it rise above the competition. However, the aforementioned features and its comfortable and adaptable design do keep it on par with other headsets in its sub $100 price range, making it a headset to consider.
