The HyperX Cloud Stinger S is a wired-only gaming headset. Unlike the HyperX Cloud Stinger, these headphones come with a USB dongle and a virtual 7.1 surround sound feature available on its NGENUITY companion software. Their flippable boom microphone makes your voice sound clear and full-bodied, and your teammates can understand you even if you're gaming in a noisy environment. They have a neutral sound profile that packs extra boom and punch in the bass range, but their audio delivery isn't very consistent. They aren't very versatile or portable, and they have poor noise isolation performance. That said, if you're looking for a more affordable pair of gaming headphones to use at home and don't want a lot of customization features, they're a solid choice.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are middling for mixed usage. They aren't very versatile. They're bulky and don't isolate a lot of background noises, so they aren't ideal to use during your commute or while working in a noisy office. Their fit isn't stable enough for runs or workouts, either. That said, they have a very neutral, well-balanced sound profile for gaming headphones. They can be used wired with your PS4, PC, or Xbox One, and they have low latency.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are decent for neutral sound. Their sound profile is quite neutral and well-balanced but packs an extra punch and boom in the bass range, making them suitable for a wide range of music genres. However, their audio delivery isn't consistent, so their sound can differ depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head. They also don't offer any sound customization features like a dedicated EQ.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are bad for commute and travel. While they have a comfortable fit, their bulky over-ear design isn't very portable, and they can only be used with a wired connection, which some listeners may find annoying. They have a poor noise isolation performance, so you can hear ambient noise like bus and plane engines and voices.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are inadequate for sports and fitness. While they have a comfortable fit, they aren't intended to be used while working out. Their bulky over-ear design isn't very portable, and they don't even come with a carrying case to keep them safe while you're on the go. They also tend to fall off your head during more intense physical movements, so they aren't stable enough for exercise.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are sub-par for office use. These over-ears can be worn comfortably through a long shift without a lot of fatigue. While they leak a bit of sound, it shouldn't be too noticeable unless you listen to your audio at high volumes. However, they don't isolate a lot of background noises, so you can hear background noises like your coworkers' voices or AC units.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are wired-only headphones, so they can't be used for wireless gaming.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are good for wired gaming. These comfortable over-ears are compatible with your PC, PS4, or Xbox One, and there isn't a lot of latency over their wired connection. Their neutral sound profile packs an extra boom in the bass range, so you really feel explosions and other action-packed scenes. Also, their boom microphone can help you communicate clearly with your teammates, even if you're gaming in a noisy setting. That said, their companion software doesn't offer a lot of customization features, which may be disappointing for some people.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are decent for phone calls. Their boom microphone has an impressive recording quality and noise handling performance, so your voice sounds full-bodied and clear, even when you're calling from a noisy environment. Unfortunately, they don't isolate a lot of noise, so you may hear background noise during your calls.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have a very similar style to the HyperX Cloud Stinger. They have an all-black plastic design, with gray accents instead of red accents like their predecessor. The boom microphone isn't removable, but it can be flipped up.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have simple, sub-par controls. Like the HyperX Cloud Stinger, there's a slider on the right ear cup that lets you adjust the volume. Also, if you want to mute the microphone, you can flip it upwards.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S aren't very portable. Like most gaming headsets, they have a bulky design that may not fit easily into your bag. However, unlike the HyperX Cloud Stinger, the ear cups on these headphones swivel down into a slightly more compact format, which is convenient.
These headphones don't come with a carrying case or pouch.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have a balanced, yet slightly bright sound profile. The extra boom and punch in the mix is ideal for action-packed scenes in your favorite games. They're suitable for listening to most music genres, too. That said, these headphones have an inconsistent audio delivery, so they may sound a bit different depending on their fit, seal, and positioning. There isn't an EQ or any sound customization features available.
These headphones have great bass accuracy. The range is fairly flat and neutral, and the overemphasis in the mid and high-bass adds a boom and punch to the mix. However, the bass delivery varies depending on their seal, so your experience may vary.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have fair peaks and dips performance. The peak in the mid and high-bass adds a boom and punch to the mix. The dip in the low-mids thins out vocals and lead instruments, while the peak in the high-mids makes those same instruments a bit harsh. The peak in the mid-treble can also make sibilants piercing and painful.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have a great imaging performance. Weighted group delay falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in a tight bass and a transparent treble. The L/R drivers are well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase, so objects are localized and accurate within the stereo image. That said, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have a mediocre passive soundstage performance. The soundstage is perceived as large. However, due to their closed-back design, it doesn't sound very natural, open, or spacious, especially when compared to open-back headphones.
These headphones have a 7.1 Surround Sound feature available with the USB dongle. This feature can only be turned on with the companion software, and we don't test for it.
We tested these headphones using these test settings. Our results are only valid with these settings.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have a poor noise isolation performance. They don't reduce any noise in the bass range, so you hear bass-heavy sounds like bus and plane engines. They do a slightly better job with higher frequency sounds like speech or AC units, but they can't fully block these noises. Consider the Cooler Master MH751 if you're looking for gaming headphones that can block out a little more ambient noise, especially in the mid and treble ranges.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S have a flippable boom microphone.
These wired headphones don't have a battery.
HyperX's NGENUITY software is sub-par. You can use the app to adjust the volume and the microphone level and to turn the 7.1 Surround Sound on and off. It can also be used to update the headphones. However, there isn't an EQ available, so you can't customize the sound profile.
These wired headphones aren't Bluetooth-compatible.
These headphones are wired-only, so they don't support a non-Bluetooth wireless connection.
These headphones are compatible with PCs and the PS4 over an analog and a USB connection. You can use the 1/8" TRRS audio cable to plug them into the console controller.
These headphones are compatible with the Xbox One. You can receive audio and use the microphone when you use the 1/8" TRRS audio cable to plug them into the console controller. Note that the USB dongle isn't compatible with the Xbox One.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are an entry-level gaming headset released in 2020. While these headphones have a similar design to the HyperX Cloud Stinger, unlike their predecessor, they come with a 7.1 virtual surround sound feature, a USB dongle, and are compatible with companion software. They don't have a lot of sound customization features, and they aren't very versatile. However, their balanced sound profile and impressive boom microphone are well-suited for wired gaming. If you're looking for other headphones, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best gaming headsets under $100, and the best PS4 headsets.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are very similar gaming headphones to the HyperX Cloud Stinger, but they come with more features. The S have a USB dongle and a 7.1 virtual surround sound feature that you can access through its companion software. They also have a more neutral sound profile than the Cloud Stinger. That said, the Cloud Stinger have slightly lower latency, though you shouldn't notice any delay with both.
The HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II and the HyperX Cloud Stinger S are very similar headphones, and depending on your preferences, you may prefer one over the other. The Cloud 2 are more comfortable and better-built. They also leak less noise. That said, the Stinger S are compatible with companion software, unlike the Cloud 2, which lets you adjust the microphone levels.
The Corsair HS70 Wireless are more customizable gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Stinger S. The Corsair are better-built, and they have a more consistent audio delivery. Also, their companion software gives you access to a graphic EQ and presets, and you can adjust the microphone levels. That said, the HyperX's boom microphone has a better recording quality, and it performs better in noisier environments.
The HyperX Cloud Flight and the HyperX Cloud Stinger S are similar gaming headphones. The Flight can be worn wirelessly, unlike the wired-only Stinger S. However, the Stinger S have a bit more neutral sound profile compared to the more bass-heavy Flight, which some listeners may prefer.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 are more versatile headphones than the HyperX Cloud Stinger S. The SteelSeries leak less noise and they come with a detachable boom microphone. On their companion software, you can access a graphic EQ and presets, and also adjust more of the microphone settings. That said, the HyperX are more comfortable and better-built. The HyperX come with a 7.1 virtual surround sound feature, and their microphone has a better recording quality.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are superior to the Cooler Master MH751 in most ways. The HyperX are better-built and have a more comfortable, stable fit, not to mention compatibility with a companion app that offers an EQ and a microphone adjustment function. The Cooler Master block out more ambient noise and leak less audio. Their boom mic also delivers superior recording quality but doesn't do as good a job when it comes to isolating speech from background noise compared to the HyperX.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S and the HyperX Cloud Stinger S are very similar gaming headphones, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Alpha S are more comfortable and better-built. They also do a better job isolating background noise, and they leak less noise. That said, the Stinger S have a more neutral, less bass-heavy sound profile that some listeners may prefer.
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