The Cloud MIX is an intersection between the well-established HyperX Cloud headset line and a new venture into mobile-focused gaming, making the name “MIX” an apt descriptor.
In its outward appearance, the MIX is fairly inconspicuous in appearance, which is definitely a plus since it’s being marketed for its out-and-about friendliness. Colorwise, it’s almost completely black with a light gray HyperX logo located on the faceplate of each earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned with the signature HyperX combination of memory foam covered by a smooth leatherette surface. The right earcup hosts the Bluetooth power button (which also functions as the pairing button when held down for five seconds), a volume up and volume down button, and charging port. The left earcup contains the port where the cord plugs into if you want a wired connection as well as a Bluetooth multi-function button. This button pauses music tracks and answers calls with a single press or skips forward a track with a double press.
HyperX headsets are the most comfortable gaming headsets I’ve worn, and the Cloud MIX is no exception to this rule. There’s just enough compression that I never feel like it’s going to slip off my head, but loose enough that I can completely forget it’s there. The leatherette-encased memory foam cushions everything perfectly, so there’s never any fear of getting poked or otherwise irritated by hard plastic.
The Cloud MIX has an unusual wireless and wired duality. When completely wireless, it’s a Bluetooth device, which can be digitally connected to a phone, computer, or any other other Bluetooth-supporting device. To go along with this mobile outlook, there’s both a built-in microphone (useable in Bluetooth mode) and a boom mic, which has a very flexible wire arm that can be attached or detached easily by a metal jack connector. There’s a short USB cord for charging the headset when you’re using it wirelessly and it also comes with a large drawstring carrying bag that comfortably fits the peripheral and and the cords.
Connecting the Cloud MIX to my phone was a breeze: my phone detected it right away and it successfully paired after the second attempt (I’ve always found Bluetooth to be a bit finicky, so this was pretty normal for me). When I turned on the headset in wireless mode, I was told both that the headset was on and the percentage of the battery power, which I thought was a nice touch. Both the built-in microphone and boom mic functioned with my phone, with the boom mic being a bit louder.
The sound in wireless mode was good for a Bluetooth audio experience. For mobile gaming or listening to music on the go, I have no complaints. While the built-in mic is completely serviceable, the boom mic is clearer and louder and does a very good job at minimizing background noise. This means that I would always prefer to use the boom over the built-in mic, unless I was using the Cloud MIX to take calls outside of my home.
To get the full Hi-Res audio experience, though, you’ll want to switch the Cloud MIX to its wired mode. One included cord plugs straight into the left earcup and ends in a single 3.5mm jack (for phones, PS4 controllers, etc). If you want to plug it into a device that has separate audio and mic jacks (most PCs), there’s a second cord that converts a single 3.5mm jack to dual 3.5mm jacks. There is no USB connection cord, which I found surprising, since most of the other HyperX headsets I’ve used connect through USB. Unsurprisingly, the corded analog audio experience is stronger than the wireless one. Sounds are richer and more defined, meaning that this is definitely the mode I’d use for non-mobile games.
The Cloud MIX is ambitious and a strong peripheral, but perhaps best marketed towards a specific group of gamers. To understand why, let’s consider a couple of different kinds of gaming enthusiasts. A user who’s primarily a PC or console gamer would mostly be interested in the MIX as a corded headset, and while it checks all the boxes in its corded form, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it above the Cloud Revolver S, which I felt had a slightly stronger sound profile. For a PC or console gamer who wants a wireless experience, the audio of the Cloud Flight would serve better than the Bluetooth wireless connectivity of the MIX alone, and the Cloud Flight has a better battery life (30 hours vs. 20 hours). Both the Flight and the Revolver S are also $40 - $50 cheaper than the MIX.
But what about gamers who are really serious about their mobile games, or ones who want a quality corded headset for PC or console that they can take with them when they’re out around town? It’s at this intersection where the MIX truly shines. Instead of investing in two costly devices, the MIX has you covered in both domains. If you’re a gamer at this particular crossroads, then I can’t recommend the MIX highly enough. It’s also the most comfortable headset I’ve ever used, which is entirely fitting for a mobile-forward device.