HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II vs SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC

Which Headphones Are Better?

Products

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC

Tested using Methodology v1.6

Updated Jan 05, 2026 02:23 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jan 17, 2024 03:14 PM

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Our Verdict

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II

SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC are better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II. The SteelSeries are compatible with the SteelSeries Engine, so you can customize the sound using graphic EQ and presets. You can also tweak the EQ on the fly by using their DAC. The DAC itself offers a lot of connectivity options as well as customization features. However, the HyperX are more comfortable and well-built, and their microphone performs better than the SteelSeries. 

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Variants

  • Cloud II (Black)
  • Cloud II (Red)
  • Arctis Pro GameDAC (Black)

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Black
Cloud II
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Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
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Red
Cloud II
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Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SEE PRICE
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Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SEE PRICE
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Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
B&H
 
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SteelSeries
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Main Differences for
Neutral Sound

Threshold 

0.10

Neutral Sound 
 

7.4
7.6

Mid Accuracy 
 

9.4
8.4

Imaging 
 

6.1
8.7

Passive Soundstage 
 

5.0
6.1

Bass Accuracy 
 

8.0
8.6

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Design Picture 2
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Design Picture 2

Type  

Over-ear
Over-ear

Enclosure  

Closed-Back
Closed-Back

Wireless  

No
No

Transducer  

Dynamic
Dynamic
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

8.0
7.5

Comfort Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Comfort Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Comfort Picture

Weight  

0.7 lbs
0.9 lbs

Clamping Force 
 

1 lbs
1.2 lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

5.8
6.2

Controls Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Controls Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Controls Picture

OS Compatibility 
 

Not OS specific
Not OS specific

Ease Of Use  

Okay
Decent

Feedback  

Decent
Great

Call/Music Control  

No
No

Volume Control  

Yes
Yes

Microphone Control  

Mute/Unmute
Mute/Unmute

Channel Mixing 
 

Yes
Yes

Noise Cancelling Control  

No
No

Talk-Through 
 

No
No

Additional Controls  

Surround Sound
Presets
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

6.2
5.4

Breathability After Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Breathability After Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Breathability After Picture

Avg.Temp.Difference  

6.5 °C
8.3 °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

5.4
5.7

Portability Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Portability Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Portability Picture

 

8.4" (21.3 cm)
7.4" (18.8 cm)

 

5.9" (15.0 cm)
6.8" (17.3 cm)

 

4.0" (10.2 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)

Volume  

198.00 in³ (3,244.63 cm³)
150.00 in³ (2,458.05 cm³)

Transmitter Required  

No
No
Show Text 

Case 
 

6.0
0.0

Case Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Case Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Case Picture

Type  

Pouch
No case

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
6.0

Build Quality Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Build Quality Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Stability 
 

6.5
7.0

Stability Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Stability Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Stability Picture
Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Angled Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Angled Picture

Side Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Side Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Side Picture

Headshots 2  

Front Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Front Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Front Picture

Rear Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Rear Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Rear Picture

Top  

Top Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Top Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Top Picture

In The Box  

In The Box Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II In The Box Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC In The Box Picture
Show Text 
Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Frequency Response
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Frequency Response

Bass Amount 
 

1.01 dB
0.4 dB

Treble Amount 
 

-0.97 dB
-2.59 dB
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

5.8
5.4

Consistency L  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Consistency L
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Consistency L

Consistency R  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Consistency R
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Consistency R

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

1.03 dB
1.33 dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Raw FR L
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Raw FR L

Raw FR R  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Raw FR R
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Raw FR R

Bass Accuracy 
 

8.0
8.6

Bass  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Bass
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Bass

Std. Err. 
 

2.87 dB
2.01 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

15.2 Hz
10 Hz

Low-Bass 
 

0.92 dB
-1.81 dB

Mid-Bass 
 

2.97 dB
-2.69 dB

High-Bass 
 

4.05 dB
-0.7 dB
Show Text 

Mid Accuracy 
 

9.4
8.4

Mid  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Mid
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Mid

Std. Err. 
 

0.8 dB
2.19 dB

Low-Mid 
 

0.73 dB
0 dB

Mid-Mid 
 

-0.03 dB
-1.07 dB

High-Mid 
 

-0.01 dB
-3.28 dB
Show Text 

Treble Accuracy 
 

5.8
6.4

Treble  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Treble
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Treble

Std. Err. 
 

5.97 dB
5.25 dB

Low-Treble 
 

-2.68 dB
-5.42 dB

Mid-Treble 
 

3.58 dB
-1.93 dB

High-Treble 
 

-3.15 dB
-9.05 dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

6.8
7.6

Peaks/Dips Graph  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Peaks/Dips Graph
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Peaks/Dips Graph

Peaks 
 

1.83 dB
1.44 dB

Dips 
 

2.52 dB
1.56 dB
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

6.1
8.7

Group Delay  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Group Delay
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Group Delay

Phase Response Mismatch  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Phase Response Mismatch
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Phase Response Mismatch

Weighted Group Delay 
 

0.24
0.16

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

64.68
3.53

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

0.32
0.71

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

2.55
2
Show Text 

Passive Soundstage 
 

5.0
6.1

PRTF  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II PRTF
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC PRTF

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

1.94 dB
5.02 dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

3.79 dB
6.68 dB

PRTF Distance 
 

7.02 dB
18.19 dB

Openness 
 

4.6
4.9

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

2.8
3.9
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

2.0
2.0

Virtual Soundstage 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Virtual Soundstage
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling 
 

No
No

Speaker Modeling 
 

On/Off
On/Off

Room Ambience 
 

No
No

Head Tracking 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Dolby 7.1
DTS 7.1
Show Text 

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.7
7.7

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Weighted Harmonic Distortion
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Weighted Harmonic Distortion

WHD @ 90 
 

0.090
0.362

WHD @ 100 
 

0.090
0.122
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

No Firmware
Unknown

Power 
 

USB
USB

Connection 
 

USB
Wired

Codec 
 

PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz

EQ 
 

Off
Default

ANC 
 

No ANC
No ANC

Tip/Pad 
 

Default
Default

Microphone 
 

Boom
Boom
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

5.3
4.5

Noise Isolation  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Noise Isolation
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Noise Isolation

Isolation Audio 
 

Overall Attenuation 
 

-15.97 dB
-13.24 dB

Noise Cancelling  

No
No

Bass 
 

0.7 dB
0.28 dB

Mid 
 

-12.88 dB
-8.65 dB

Treble 
 

-36.9 dB
-32 dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

7.5
6.6

Leakage  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Leakage
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Leakage

Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

36.53 dB
42.08 dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

No
No

In-Line 
 

No
No

Boom 
 

Yes
Yes

Detachable Boom 
 

Yes
No

Mic  

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Recording Quality 
 

8.4
7.6

Microphone Frequency Response  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Microphone Frequency Response
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Microphone Frequency Response

Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

84.76 Hz
85.99 Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

2.11 dB
4.57 dB

HFE 
 

7,136.96 Hz
10,240 Hz

Weighted THD 
 

0.322
5.105

Gain 
 

24.35 dB
34.68 dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

8.5
7.7

SpNR  

 Preview Graph
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II SpNR
 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC SpNR

SpNR 
 

49.04 dB
33.22 dB

Noise Gate 
 

Always On
Always On

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

8.5
7.5

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

8.5
8.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

0.0
0.0

Battery Type 
 

No Battery
No Battery

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

No
No

Audio While Charging 
 

No
No

Passive Playback 
 

Passive Headphone
Passive Headphone

Charging Port  

None
None
Show Text 

App Support 
 

0.0
8.0

App Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II App Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC App Picture

App Name  

No App
SteelSeries Engine

iOS  

No
No

Android  

No
No

macOS  

No
Yes

Windows  

No
Yes

Equalizer 
 

No
Graphic + Presets

ANC Control 
 

No
No

Mic Control  

No
Adjustable Level

Room Effects 
 

No
No

Playback Control 
 

No
Yes

Button Mapping  

No
No

Surround Support 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

9.2
10

Cable Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Cable Picture
Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC Cable Picture

Analog Audio 
 

Yes
Yes

USB Audio 
 

USB Type A
USB Type A

Detachable 
 

No
Yes

Length 
 

10.10 ft (3.08 m)
5.00 ft (1.52 m)

Connector 
 

1/8" TRRS
Mini B 8-Pin

Latency - Analog 
 

0.2 ms

Latency - USB 
 

9.7 ms
1 ms

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Connection  

USB
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth Version 
 

No Bluetooth
No Bluetooth

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

NFC Pairing 
 

No

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

No

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

No

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

N/A

Recorded Latency Codec  

No Bluetooth Audio

AAC Support 
 

No

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

0.0
0.0

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

N/A
Show Text 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

Wired USB 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

PS5 Analog 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

No
Audio Only

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

3.4
7.8

Type 
 

Wired USB Dongle
Wired USB dock

USB Input 
 

Yes
Yes

Line In 
 

No
Yes

Line Out 
 

No
Yes

Optical Input 
 

No
Yes

RCA Input 
 

No
No

Dock Charging 
 

No
No

Power Supply 
 

USB
USB
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Cloud II
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Red
Cloud II
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
B&H
 
Black
Arctis Pro GameDAC
SteelSeries

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II

SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC

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