HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 vs Cloud III S Wireless
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Differences Summary
Cloud Alpha 2 And Cloud III S (right)
The HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 has more versatile connection options, includes a Base Station, has cloth instead of pleather, and it has better tuned drivers than the Cloud III S.
However, the Cloud III S has access to more stable software and it saves EQ changes to the headset itself.
Connectivity Options
While both headsets work on PC and PS5, the Alpha 2 also works on Xbox Series S and X - though this is only when used wired with the included 3.5 mm cable. The Cloud III S cannot be used wired at all.
Both headsets can be used with 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth. The Alpha 2 can do these simultaneously. The Cloud III S has to toggle between them using a switch on the headset.
For 2.4 GHz, the Cloud III S uses a USB-C dongle with a type A adapter included. The Alpha 2 uses a Base Station for its 2.4 transmitter.
The Base Station provides convenient access to different controls. There's the volume wheel, mic mute, game-chat volume mixer (PC only), sidetone, headphone mute, equalizer, and media play/pause. As of this writing, the equalizer doesn’t actually do anything yet.
There's also a switch on the left to switch the audio output to either the Alpha 2 headset or to the 3.5 mm port. The Base Station puts out a lot of power which makes it great for headsets and headphones that need extra volume, but it just causes a lot of feedback in the in ear monitors I've used it with.
You can change the lighting and apply a lot of different settings to the Base Station in NGENUITY but as of this writing, none of those save to the Base Station itself and reset to default once the app is closed and re-opened.
Controls
The controls on the headsets themselves are slightly different.
On the Cloud III S, there’s mic mute, infinite scroll volume, 2.4 GHz/Bluetooth toggle, multifunction media control, and power.
The Alpha 2 has similar controls, but the switch is for dual audio mode/2.4 GHz and the button layout is rearranged. The power button on both can be quick pressed to announce the remaining battery life.
Battery
The Cloud III S gets up to 120 hours of use with the dongle and 200 on Bluetooth. The Alpha 2 lasts up to 250 hours 2.4 GHz and 125 with simultaneous audio mode (which you have to set it to for Bluetooth). But these are just stated numbers.
In reality, my Alpha 2 gets closer to 100 hours because I always have it on dual audio mode. The Cloud III S numbers are probably about right, but I always charge it before remembering to check. Both will last a week easy even with heavy use.
Comfort and Build Quality
Both are quite comfortable and very well built with aluminum adjustment forks and stainless steel frames, but there are some key differences.
The Cloud III S naturally clamps in more.
Alpha 2 microfiber cloth pads (left) next to Cloud III S pleather pads.
The Alpha 2 has microfiber cloth padding and the Cloud III S uses faux leather which is what I prefer. The Alpha 2 also has swivel. Both have height adjustment. There is a slightly larger opening on the top of the Alpha 2 for driver vents. I’d consider these both semi open back.
The Cloud III S weighs about 335 grams without the mic and 347 with it. The Alpha 2 is slightly heavier at 344 grams without the mic and 355 with it.
The Alpha 2 earcups have a sharper angle, less clamping force, and the entire frame is wider. It feels much more molded to the shape of a human head. The Cloud III S has detachable speaker plates which I assume will be customizable eventually. Taking the off doesn’t change the sound.
Both get an A in comfort, but I wish they were both significantly lighter. For the best of both worlds, I use the Alpha 2 with the Cloud III S padding.
Microphone Audio Quality
These both have detachable boom mics that sound very similar. Their frequency range is 100 Hz - 10 kHz. They're physically interchangeable, so I wouldn't be surprised if they use the same parts. They hold their shape very well.
The Cloud III S has more background noise cancellation out the box. S On PC, you can also use the AI noise cancellation in NGENUITY 3. And that cuts out even more as you can hear.
The Alpha 2's filter is weaker by default but it doesn't sound any less compressed. The wired version of the Cloud III with minimal processing definitely sounds clearer than these. However, both the Alpha 2 and Cloud III S have more bass.
Another awesome feature is if you take the mics out, these have integrated mics. Neither sound great, but they make these more viable on the go.
Headphone Audio Quality
Headphone measurements done with my miniDSP EARS (not industry standard).
The headphone audio is a massive difference. I much prefer the Alpha 2's sound.
The Alpha 2 has significantly more bass by default and with EQ there's actually a bit of physicality to the bass and sub-bass. It’s still a generally sibilant sounding device. Where the treble spikes up in the Cloud III S, it dips to a more manageable level in the Alpha 2 making the latter an easier listen.
The Cloud III S is also very detailed in the treble and midrange, but it's harsh to listen to for long periods and it lacks EQ potential for immersive games and other media.
Black Ops 6 with the Cloud III S.
These headsets are both exceptionally well tuned for FPS games. They emphasize audio that's important like footsteps and reloads while toning down explosions and rumbles. I like the Alpha 2 even better for pinpointing enemy positioning Call of Duty specifically, because of the way it makes gunshots pop without being too jarring.
NGENUITY Software
Both headsets use the NGENUITY software, but the Cloud Alpha 2 currently only works with NGENUITY 3 beta. The Cloud III S works with that but also the more stable - but still buggy - NGENUITY 2.
I'm not going to go in depth with the software, since I already did that in the individual reviews for each headset, but both of them let you change the headphone EQ and apply some interesting filters.
The beta version has all of its settings reset every time it's closed. This is a massive hinderance to the Alpha 2 since most of the beta settings are still greyed out. The stuff you can change doesn’t even save!
All color, EQ, and mic setting reset in the beta software when closed.
Since the Cloud III S saves the last used EQ to the headset itself in NGENUITY 2 or 3, but the Alpha 2 currently saves nothing, I have to give the software advantage to the Alpha 2.
Verdict
The Cloud Alpha 2 is overall a better headset than the Cloud III S. The Alpha 2 has superior drivers, less clamping force, and the Base Station adds several extra features.
Unfortunately, I cannot actually recommend the Alpha 2 until the software comes out of beta because the headset and Base Station are too reliant on NGENUITY 3 which is a long way from being finished.
Ultimately, either I'd get the Cloud III S or wait to get the Alpha 2 when the software is done or it goes on sale.
