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HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround — main product image
HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround
HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround
HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround
HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround
HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround
HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround
HyperX

HyperX CL003 Cloud II Red Gaming Headset 7.1 Surround

★★★★★4.5 (73762 reviews)

Immerse Yourself in Gaming Audio ExcellenceThe HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset delivers exceptional audio quality and unparalleled comfort for an immersive gaming experience. Featuring 7.1 surround sound, memory foam ear pads, and a durable aluminum frame, this headset is designed for long-lasting...

$56.12*$79.99Save 29%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

Immerse Yourself in Gaming Audio Excellence

The HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset delivers exceptional audio quality and unparalleled comfort for an immersive gaming experience. Featuring 7.1 surround sound, memory foam ear pads, and a durable aluminum frame, this headset is designed for long-lasting performance and comfort. The detachable microphone ensures clear communication, making it the perfect choice for gamers.

Specifications:

  • Brand: HyperX
  • Model: CL003
  • Type: Gaming Headset
  • Audio: 7.1 Surround Sound
  • Ear Pads: Memory Foam
  • Frame: Durable Aluminum
  • Microphone: Detachable, Noise-Cancelling
  • Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm Jack)
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 23 kHz
  • Impedance: 32 Ohms
  • Cable Length: 9.75 Feet
  • Driver Size: 53 Millimeters

Key Features

15-25kKhz Frequency Response.Headphones fit type:Over-Ear.Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear

Designed for comfort – Exceptionally comfortable memory foam ear cushions and padded leatherette headband help keep you focused on gaming.Supreme audio quality – Large 53mm drivers provide high-quality audio. Hear in-game details better and get the in-game advantage on your opponents

7.1 Virtual Surround Sound – Truly immerse yourself in your games with hardware-driven virtual 7.1 surround sound for precisely located audio

Passive noise cancellation – The closed ear cup design blocks out outside distractions to keep you in the game

Built to last – The solid, durable aluminum frame is built to withstand the blows of daily use

Detachable, noise-cancelling microphone – TeamSpeak and Discord certified so you can chat with your friends and your callouts will be heard loud and clear

Compatibility: 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound on PC & Mac. Stereo on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices

#1 Best-Selling PC Gaming Headset Brand in the US. Source: The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Retail Tracking Service, PC Headset / PC Microphone, Gaming Designed, Jan. 2018-Dec. 2020

Specifications

Headphone Fit Type
Over-Ear
Frequency Response
15-25kKhz
Driver Size
53mm
Surround Sound
7.1 Virtual Surround Sound (hardware-driven)
Noise Cancellation
Passive noise cancellation (closed ear cup design)
Frame Material
Solid, durable aluminum
Microphone
Detachable, noise-cancelling
Microphone Certification
TeamSpeak and Discord certified
Compatibility (7.1 Surround)
PC & Mac
Compatibility (Stereo)
PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mobile devices

HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset — Editorial Review & Use Cases

The HyperX Cloud II (HX-HSCP-RD Red, HX-HSCP-GM Gunmetal, HX-HSCP-SR Silver, plus the Cloud II Alloy Origins Core bundle SKU) is HyperX's flagship wired closed-back gaming headset — 53mm drivers, USB sound card with 7.1 virtual surround sound, memory foam earcups, detachable noise-cancelling microphone. Per HyperX's official Cloud II product page, the Cloud II has been the de-facto budget-to-mid-range gaming headset since 2015 — used by competitive esports teams (multiple Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Apex Legends pros), praised in PC gaming press for sound + comfort + microphone quality at sub-$100 price.

What the HyperX Cloud II Specifically Wins

  • 53mm dynamic drivers — larger than typical 40mm gaming headsets. Better bass response for gunfire, explosions, footstep audio cues
  • USB sound card with virtual 7.1 surround — connects via USB-A; the sound card delivers Windows / Mac surround processing. Crucial for FPS positional audio (CS2, Valorant, Apex)
  • Memory foam earcups + headband — comfortable for 3-4 hour sessions. Closed-back design isolates from ambient noise (vs open-back HD 6XX)
  • Detachable noise-cancelling boom microphone — clear voice chat for Discord / TeamSpeak / Mumble. Cardioid pickup pattern + electret condenser
  • 3.5mm + USB connectivity — works with PC / Mac / PS5 / Switch / Xbox Series X|S (via 3.5mm controller jack) / mobile devices via 3.5mm
  • Aluminum frame — more durable than all-plastic competitors. Survives bag transport + travel
  • 2-year HyperX warranty — solid customer support track record
  • Wide retailer availability — Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, Microcenter, Target. Easy to buy and replace
  • Used by competitive esports teams — Cloud II + Cloud II Wireless are common at LAN tournaments
  • Inline volume + mic mute control on the USB sound card

Where the HyperX Cloud II Specifically Fits

  • Competitive FPS gaming (CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Overwatch 2) — surround for footsteps + gunfire positional cues
  • MOBA / RTS gaming (LoL, Dota 2, StarCraft) — clear voice chat for team coordination
  • Twitch / YouTube streaming — built-in mic captures voice clearly without separate USB mic investment
  • Discord / TeamSpeak voice chat for any game
  • Casual gaming + everyday listening — closed-back isolates from ambient + adequate music quality
  • PC + console multi-platform gamers — same headset across PS5 / Switch / Xbox / PC
  • Console gaming with controller 3.5mm jack
  • Music production scratch monitoring — closed-back fine for casual monitoring (not studio reference)
  • Podcast recording on a budget — built-in mic + headphones combo
  • Online classroom / Zoom / Microsoft Teams for clear voice + chat audio
  • Cafe / library quiet gaming — closed-back isolation
  • Office gaming break — closed-back doesn't leak music to coworkers

Honest Limits Buyers Should Know

  • Wired only — no Bluetooth. For wireless, step up to HyperX Cloud II Wireless or Cloud Stinger 2 Wireless. Wired has lower latency for competitive gaming but limits mobility
  • USB sound card is a separate piece — losing it = losing 7.1 surround. The Cloud II works as a basic 3.5mm headset without the sound card, but loses the virtual surround processing
  • Closed-back design — limited soundstage vs open-back. Audiophile-detail listening + spatial separation benefits from open-back headphones (Sennheiser HD 6XX). Cloud II is closed-back for isolation but with narrower soundstage
  • Microphone is good for gaming, not pro studio recording. Adequate for Discord / TeamSpeak voice; not for podcast recording or voiceover (use a dedicated USB mic like HyperX QuadCast or Shure MV7)
  • Cable is non-detachable. Cable failure = replacing the whole headset. For detachable cable, look at HyperX Cloud Alpha S or competing brands
  • Boom microphone position is fixed. No flexible 360-degree positioning (some boom mics rotate freely). Cloud II's boom mic is positioned to one side
  • Wired tether limits mobility — cable can catch on chair arms / desk corners
  • Memory foam earcups can get warm in long sessions. 4+ hour sessions in warm environments may cause ear sweat. Cooling-gel earcup alternatives (HyperX Cloud Alpha S, ASUS ROG Strix Pro) wick heat better
  • Older design (2015 release). Newer wireless gaming headsets (SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, HyperX Cloud III Wireless) offer better feature sets — Cloud II is best in the "wired budget" tier, not premium
  • Not suitable for audiophile-grade music listening. Gaming-tuned headphone, V-shape response. Audiophiles want flat reference (HD 6XX, Sennheiser HD 660 S2)

Where Buyers Should Look Elsewhere

  • Wireless gaming headset → HyperX Cloud II Wireless, HyperX Cloud III Wireless, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
  • Premium wired gaming → SteelSeries Arctis 7P / 9X, HyperX Cloud Alpha S
  • Audiophile / open-back listening → Sennheiser HD 6XX, Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro, Sennheiser HD 660 S2
  • Studio reference for production → Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x / M50x
  • USB-only gaming headset → SteelSeries Arctis 7 (no 3.5mm)
  • Higher-end gaming with ANC → Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, Astro A50
  • Mobile gaming + voice chat → Backbone One headphone + phone mic system
  • Console-specific premium → SteelSeries Arctis 7P (PS5/PS4 native), Astro A40 TR (Xbox)
  • Pure budget gaming → Logitech G432, Razer Kraken Kitty Edition entry

Sources & Citations

  1. HyperX, "Cloud II Gaming Headset product page," hyperx.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
  2. RTINGS.com, "HyperX Cloud II review and gaming headset comparison," rtings.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
  3. PC Gamer, "Best gaming headset buying guide," pcgamer.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
  4. Tom's Hardware, "Gaming headset reviews and benchmarks," tomshardware.com (accessed 2026-05-19)

Last verified: 2026-05-19

Now that you've seen the details — ready to take a closer look?

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Equipped with exceptionally comfortable memory foam ear cushions and a padded leatherette headband for long gaming sessions.
  • Large 53mm drivers deliver high-quality audio, allowing you to hear in-game details and gain an advantage.
  • Features hardware-driven virtual 7.1 surround sound for precisely located audio, enhancing immersion.
  • Passive noise cancellation from the closed ear cup design helps block out external distractions.
  • Constructed with a solid, durable aluminum frame designed to withstand daily use and wear.

👎 Cons

  • The stated frequency response of 15-25kHz is broad and specific details on audio balance aren't provided.
  • achieving optimal sound quality requires proper earbud tip fit, which might need experimentation.
  • 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound is limited to PC and Mac, providing only stereo on consoles and mobile devices.
  • The headset does not explicitly state active noise cancellation, relying only on passive noise isolation.
  • As a gaming headset, it may not be optimized for audiophile-grade music listening experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

The HyperX Cloud II Red Gaming Headset features large 53mm drivers that provide high-quality audio, allowing you to hear in-game details better.
Yes, it offers hardware-driven virtual 7.1 surround sound for precisely located audio, though this feature is specific to PC & Mac compatibility.
Yes, it comes with a detachable, noise-cancelling microphone that is TeamSpeak and Discord certified, ensuring clear communication with your teammates.
It is designed for comfort with exceptionally comfortable memory foam ear cushions and a padded leatherette headband to keep you focused during extended play.
Yes, it offers stereo sound compatibility on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, while 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound is available on PC & Mac.

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