HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review: A refreshed look and DTS Headphone:X audio

While wireless gaming headsets have become the norm, there are still those who prefer a wired gaming headset for various reasons. One of these is cross-platform compatibility, especially for those who game on multiple systems.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Our HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review takes at the updated version of the affordable wired gaming headset which features a refreshed design, DTS Headphone:X audio, and a slightly wider frequency response range. Read on for our full review!

Specifications

The HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset has the following features and specifications:

• Immersive DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio
• HyperX signature comfort
• Superior sound
• Adjustable rotating earcups
• Lightweight headset with 90-degree rotating ear cups
• Driver: Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
• Type: Over ear, circumaural, Closed back
• Frequency response: 10Hz – 28 kHz
• Sensitivity: -40.5 dBV (1 V/Pa at 1 kHz)
• T.H.D: ≤ 2%
• Microphone
  • Element: Electret condenser microphone
  • Polar Pattern: Bi-directional, Noise-cancelling
  • Sensitivity: -40.5 dBV (1 V/Pa at 1 kHz)
• Audio Controls: Onboard audio controls
• Frame Type: Plastic
• Ear Cushions: Memory foam and premium leatherette
• Cable Length and type: headset cable (2.0mm), PC PC splitter cable (3.5mm)
• Weight: 0.60lb (272g)

What’s in the box

• HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 over-ear gaming headset
• PC splitter cable
• Foam windscreen
• DTS Headphone:X instruction card w/ two-year access code
• Quick Start Guide

Design

Like its predecessor, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 wired gaming headset is largely constructed from hard matte black plastic. However, there are a few design changes. The first notable change is the headband. Even though it still features the HyperX wordmark logo imprinted across the top in a gloss black, only the middle of the underside of the headband has a piece of HyperX’s signature memory foam covered by a soft leatherette finish. The ear cups are connected to the headband by way of a steel slider assembly, but it now has thirteen adjustment points (instead of 10), as well as visible markings so you can more easily match the adjustment on each side

The earcups themselves are still attached via an inverted Y piece that allows them to rotate toward your head for a comfortable fit. The Y piece is a bit more aggressive looking, longer at the back and shorter at the front as opposed to being more symmetrical. It also rotates slightly forward and rotates a full 90° backward. On the outside of each earcup is the HyperX logo in greyish silver, and a textured angled line motif is etched into the outside of each cup.

The microphone also received a major refresh. It is still attached to the left earcup and swivels up and down. However, instead of having a more solid, covered look, it is now thinner and wire-like. While it’s not removable, swivelling it fully up will mute the microphone and keep it nicely out of the way when you aren’t using it. The microphone itself is adjustable by way of its flexible soft coated arm. The microphone is slightly larger as well, and HyperX included a foam windscreen that you can slide over the end of the microphone for better voice sound.

The soft-coated 3.5mm cable extends out of the bottom of the left ear cup. The cable attaches to Xbox controllers (with a 3.5mm port or with the Xbox Audio Adapter for those without), PlayStation controllers, computers with a combo mic/headphone jack, and smartphones with the 4-pole jack. If your computer has a separate mic and headphone port, you can attach the included short extension Y-cable which has a separate microphone and headset jack.

On the back, towards the bottom, of the right earcup is where you’ll find a red volume control dial for easy access to turning your volume up or down. Rotating the dial all the way up gives you full volume while rotating it all the way down decreases the volume to zero, effectively muting the headphones. Unfortunately, the dial only controls volume and other is no game/chat balance on this headset.

The ear pads themselves are still made from memory foam and are covered with the same leatherette finish as the underside of the headband. They fit nicely over my ears and definitely added comfort for extended listening sessions. As for the overall fit, they do fit well but did feel a tad loose at times, especially when I tilted my head down to look at my keyboard. They didn’t feel like they were going to fall off, but did shift enough to be noticeable, perhaps my head shape lies in between two of the adjustment points. On that note, my son said they felt fine when he tried them out.

While they seem minor, the design changes to the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 over the original version are subtle, but make for a much nicer-looking headset. In addition, it is slightly lighter — 272g vs the previous 275g — but you won’t really notice that small of a difference.

Sound Quality

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers similar default sound quality as its previous iteration with its 50mm drivers, albeit ever so slightly better. The frequency range has been increased from 18Hz-23kHz to 10Hz-28kHz, giving gamers a slightly wider sound stage. The sound put out by the headset is definitely crisp and clear, and depending on what you use it with can be quite loud. I tested them on the Xbox Series X and a PC, and, for the price, the audio quality is more than acceptable.

Where the Cloud Stinger 2 has a leg up though, is the inclusion of a two-year code for DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio. If you do pick up these headphones, you’ll do well to redeem your code as it does make a significant difference in the audio quality coming out of your PC. On that note, the DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio only works on OP. With it enabled, I was more easily able to pinpoint sounds like footsteps when playing games like Call of Duty: Warzone. In the end though, while I could better tell where enemies were coming from, more often than not it just meant I was facing them when dying as opposed to having them sneak up behind me.

Microphone Quality

Microphone and voice quality are obviously a big requirement for gaming headphones these days. When testing the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 in voice chat and gaming sessions on the Xbox Series X or PC other people in the party had no complaints about being able to hear me clearly over the bi-directional noise-cancelling microphone, especially with the foam windscreen which helps reduce and filter out breathing noise. Unfortunately, there is still no mic monitoring on this headset.

Price/Value

Here’s the best part… the price hasn’t changed over the original HyperX Cloud Stinger from 5 years ago. With an MSRP of $49.99, you’re getting a pretty solid pair of versatile gaming headphones, now with the added value of two years of DTS Headphone:X audio. Sure, there are much better headphones out there, but if you’re on a budget, you can’t go wrong with these.

Photo Gallery

Wrap-up

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is still a versatile, decent-sounding, comfortable gaming headset that won’t break the bank. The minor design refresh and inclusion of two years of DTS Headphone:X audio make this a solid budget choice for PC gamers.

In some of our articles and especially in our reviews, you will find Amazon or other affiliate links. Any purchases you make through these links often result in a small amount being earned for the site and/or our writers. Techaeris often covers brand press releases. Doing this does not constitute an endorsement of any product or service by Techaeris. We provide the press release information for our audience to be informed and make their own decision on a purchase or not. Only our reviews are an endorsement or lack thereof. For more information, you can read our full disclaimer.

Last Updated on February 18, 2023.