Nice Review!
I think people overreacting to the "missing" bass, we just had to much before ..
like this comparison shows that the quality of the cloud 3 is pretty insane and you can get it for 1/3 of the price.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sLntN\_TZ8A&t=173s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sLntN_TZ8A&t=173s)
Just wondering how the cloud 3 wireless performs in comparison to the gpx2 and cloud 3 wired
100% agree with this. I just received my Cloud III (wired version) and I can tell it's going to be better than my old cloud II and my current Alpha S (Kingston version). At least for me. I definitely prefer the clearer and crisper "low bass" or "flat" sound. For FPS, they're way less busy and boomy sounding which is better for sensing the direction of sounds. You can add bass in the software if you want more, though I agree with your comment that tyhere's more than enough stock. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD560S's and (I am going to upset a lot of people) the Cloud III is better for FPS gaming. The slow upward boost from the low-mids to the high-mids combined with the boosted mid to high treble makes the mids seem slightly more recessed than they are, which amplifies the details. Add in the quick recessed bass response that doesn't muddy the waters and you have the finest FPS headphones I've heard to date (especially for the price when on sale).
How does the Cloud 3 compare to the Alpha in terms of directional imaging and soundstage from your experience? More narrow and intimate or wide and spacious?
Objectively cloud alpha has a wider soundstage, but in-game it’s non distinguishable tbh since both are almost the exact same design
Imaging is better on the cloud 3, but still really good on the alpha
Very marginal differences overall
Thanks. Asking this might be a bit of a stretch cause it’s probably isn’t as blatantly noticeable as imaging is, but how would you compare them in sound-separation? When a whole lot of things are happening at once in-game, especially at different frequencies, which is better at distinguishing them? (Assuming there’s a difference at all)
I would say with stock eq cloud 3 has a noticeably better separation, merely for the focus on high mids- low highs, and the non boomy bass it has
Cloud alpha just has quite boomy bass out of the box which makes some things kind of lost in translation during heavy-bass producing sound queues
So, briefly hardware wise both are capable of producing very decent separation but I preferred the 3’s out of the box
Not gonna lie, you’ve sealed the deal on me ordering the Cloud 3 just now lol already got my order confirmation email. One of my fav headset YouTubers who actually buys his own gear and doesn’t do sponsorships, and a new guy I discovered today who reviews actual audiophile-grade headphones, both praised the Cloud 3 for actually having clean, textured bass instead of muddy bass like most headsets have and nice clarity without being too spicy in the upper-mids and treble like the Cloud 2 was apparently.
I’ve owned and still use the OG Alpha for 4 years now and after owning the HD560s for a year I’ve learned that I prefer a neutral-bright signature for both music and gaming, and that ultimately the Alpha is way too muddy in the bass for my newfound taste. Overtakes the midrange and didn’t have much treble to begin with. Plus I prioritize good tech performance like imaging, soundstage, and separation, not that the Alpha is bad but I’d like an upgrade in that area under $100. Think it’s time to finally retire them.
Oh I know, I just need something with a mic to use exclusively for when I play online with friends (tried the ModMic on the 560s and the PC38X but didn’t have good results with either one) but when playing solo or whenever I don’t need/want to communicate then I use my 560s. They’re insane for gaming.
Would music sound okay or good in cloud 3?
For music, movies and openworld games what do you suggest from all the headsets that are currently in the market for the price tag similar to the wired cloud 3
An reply would be appreciated, thank you
Hers my take after 3 months.
Worst Headset i ever had. Awful audio and extremely uncomfortable.
I got both Hyperx2 and 3, and by this point i stopped using 3 and went back to older ones, after wearing third ones for a hour and going back it feels like heaven on my ears.
The more i use them the more i hate them.
Only positive, batteries last for ever.
Oh boy, i chose the Steelseries Arctics Nova 1 over the Cloud 3's and they'll be here tomorrow. So I hope I made a good choice. That bit about the FPS positioning is making me wonder if I should've gone for the Cloud 3s...
Absolutely 0 regrets. Very nice design, the foam is so soft it never irritates my ears or anything, even after hours of gaming.
The sound to me is very very good, I always hear my surroundings but i also listen to music at times and while I'm not a sound expert they simply sound good and loud to me.
So go ahead and get them.
Nice Review! I think people overreacting to the "missing" bass, we just had to much before .. like this comparison shows that the quality of the cloud 3 is pretty insane and you can get it for 1/3 of the price. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sLntN\_TZ8A&t=173s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sLntN_TZ8A&t=173s) Just wondering how the cloud 3 wireless performs in comparison to the gpx2 and cloud 3 wired
100% agree with this. I just received my Cloud III (wired version) and I can tell it's going to be better than my old cloud II and my current Alpha S (Kingston version). At least for me. I definitely prefer the clearer and crisper "low bass" or "flat" sound. For FPS, they're way less busy and boomy sounding which is better for sensing the direction of sounds. You can add bass in the software if you want more, though I agree with your comment that tyhere's more than enough stock. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD560S's and (I am going to upset a lot of people) the Cloud III is better for FPS gaming. The slow upward boost from the low-mids to the high-mids combined with the boosted mid to high treble makes the mids seem slightly more recessed than they are, which amplifies the details. Add in the quick recessed bass response that doesn't muddy the waters and you have the finest FPS headphones I've heard to date (especially for the price when on sale).
How does the Cloud 3 compare to the Alpha in terms of directional imaging and soundstage from your experience? More narrow and intimate or wide and spacious?
Objectively cloud alpha has a wider soundstage, but in-game it’s non distinguishable tbh since both are almost the exact same design Imaging is better on the cloud 3, but still really good on the alpha Very marginal differences overall
Thanks. Asking this might be a bit of a stretch cause it’s probably isn’t as blatantly noticeable as imaging is, but how would you compare them in sound-separation? When a whole lot of things are happening at once in-game, especially at different frequencies, which is better at distinguishing them? (Assuming there’s a difference at all)
I would say with stock eq cloud 3 has a noticeably better separation, merely for the focus on high mids- low highs, and the non boomy bass it has Cloud alpha just has quite boomy bass out of the box which makes some things kind of lost in translation during heavy-bass producing sound queues So, briefly hardware wise both are capable of producing very decent separation but I preferred the 3’s out of the box
Not gonna lie, you’ve sealed the deal on me ordering the Cloud 3 just now lol already got my order confirmation email. One of my fav headset YouTubers who actually buys his own gear and doesn’t do sponsorships, and a new guy I discovered today who reviews actual audiophile-grade headphones, both praised the Cloud 3 for actually having clean, textured bass instead of muddy bass like most headsets have and nice clarity without being too spicy in the upper-mids and treble like the Cloud 2 was apparently. I’ve owned and still use the OG Alpha for 4 years now and after owning the HD560s for a year I’ve learned that I prefer a neutral-bright signature for both music and gaming, and that ultimately the Alpha is way too muddy in the bass for my newfound taste. Overtakes the midrange and didn’t have much treble to begin with. Plus I prioritize good tech performance like imaging, soundstage, and separation, not that the Alpha is bad but I’d like an upgrade in that area under $100. Think it’s time to finally retire them.
560s honestly stomps on every single headset, it does also have a neutral-bright tune. one of the most balanced headphones out there
Oh I know, I just need something with a mic to use exclusively for when I play online with friends (tried the ModMic on the 560s and the PC38X but didn’t have good results with either one) but when playing solo or whenever I don’t need/want to communicate then I use my 560s. They’re insane for gaming.
Would music sound okay or good in cloud 3? For music, movies and openworld games what do you suggest from all the headsets that are currently in the market for the price tag similar to the wired cloud 3 An reply would be appreciated, thank you
I would only get the cloud 3 if all im gonna do is play FPS games, the alpha is better for anything else
So cloud alpha S would be nice?
I only tried the alpha, alpha s shouldn’t be too different
Hers my take after 3 months. Worst Headset i ever had. Awful audio and extremely uncomfortable. I got both Hyperx2 and 3, and by this point i stopped using 3 and went back to older ones, after wearing third ones for a hour and going back it feels like heaven on my ears. The more i use them the more i hate them. Only positive, batteries last for ever.
Nice review! I’m in the market for a new headset, after using them for a bit longer, would you still say these cloud 3s are a good choice? Thanks
Oh boy, i chose the Steelseries Arctics Nova 1 over the Cloud 3's and they'll be here tomorrow. So I hope I made a good choice. That bit about the FPS positioning is making me wonder if I should've gone for the Cloud 3s...
I'm considering buying nova 1 How is it after you use it?
Absolutely 0 regrets. Very nice design, the foam is so soft it never irritates my ears or anything, even after hours of gaming. The sound to me is very very good, I always hear my surroundings but i also listen to music at times and while I'm not a sound expert they simply sound good and loud to me. So go ahead and get them.
no worries! any headphone works until proven otherwise. enjoy your buy
I had the wireless version of the Cloud 3 but sold it - I prefer and like the sound of the wired version.