With new consoles comes new peripherals. Among what has started to become an important peripheral, particularly for online gaming, are headsets. Xbox Series X/S consoles are still relatively difficult to come by, especially if one doesn’t want to support scalpers, but for those who have been fortunate enough in obtaining one, the next for many is picking out a headset. Or maybe someone has an Xbox One but wants to get something future proof for the eventual upgrade. HyperX recently launched the CloudX Stinger Core, a wireless headset designed for the Xbox One family of consoles and Xbox Series X/S.
The contents of the box include the CloudX Stinger Core headset, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable and a quick start guide. There’s no dongle because the headset wireless pairs to the Xbox console, with instructions on how exactly to do that included. The actual headset construction has memory foam ear cushions wrapped in leatherette, with more leatherette-covered memory foam inside the headband. The earcups have separate dials for game and chat audio levels so the user can find the perfect volume balance between the two. There’s an attached noise-cancelling mic that has swivel-to-mute functionality. The headset’s headband has steel sliders so the user can adjust to the to their personal comfort level. It’s not a visible feature, but the CloudX Stinger Core has 40mm drivers for those who care about such things. Before getting into our evaluation, here’s a quick run down of the tech specs.
Headphone:
Driver: Dynamic, 40mm with neodymium magnets
Form factor: Over ear, circumaural, closed back
Frequency response: 10Hz–21kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Sound pressure level: 98.5dBSPL, 1mW at 1kHz
T.H.D.: ≤ 2%
Frame type: Steel sliders
Ear cushions: Soft foam & fabric
Microphone:
Element: Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern: Uni-directional, Noise-cancelling
Frequency response: 20Hz-6.8kHz
Sensitivity: -40dBV (1V/Pa at 1kHz)
Connections and Features:
Audio connection: Wireless USB
USB audio format: Stereo
USB specification: USB 2.0
Sampling rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz
Bit-depth: 16 bit
Audio controls: Onboard audio controls
Type: Rechargeable lithium-polymer
Battery life: 17 hours
Charge time: 3 hours
Type: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
Wireless range: Up to 20 meters
Weight: 275g
Cable length and type: 0.5m USB-C to USB-A charge cable
The CloudX Stinger Core takes a few seconds to initially connect the Xbox console. The pairing instructions are included and after it’s paired it will automatically connect when the headset is turned on and automatically shuts down when the Xbox is turned off. The independent volume controls work exactly how they are intended, making it easy to find the perfect mix between game and chat audio. The headset is compatible with Windows Sonic. The sound quality is great, bringing the harder to hear nuances of the music and environmental noise to the foreground while every explosion reverberates as if the player is in the middle of the action. In addition to great sound quality, the headset remains comfortable for a couple hours though the leatherette can start to feel warm after an hour or so. The 17-hour battery life was tested at 50 percent power. During our testing we had it at full volume and got 10-12 hours per charge.
There’s a lot to like about the headset, but there are criticisms. Not necessarily a flaw, but when the headset was on game audio was still coming through the TV and soundbar along with the headset, so that’s something to be mindful if one of the reasons to use a headset is to quiet the game for other people at home, though turning off the audio on those sources didn’t affect headset volume. The biggest complaint is the sound would stutter occasionally during play where it would cut on and off. This was a rare occurrence but became more common whenever the headset battery level got low. This is irritating in single player, but can be problematic with multiplayer where communication is important. This happens infrequently enough where it’s not a major deterrent against the headset, but personal patience for imperfection can factor into how big of a deal this is.
Closing Comments:
The HyperX CloudX Stinger Core is overall a good option for an Xbox headset. The direct wireless connection without a dongle is a small convenience but a nice feature nonetheless. The sound quality is great, and being compatible with the different console sound options allows for optimal sound quality and immersion. The stuttering sound is a point of criticism, and while this does happen rarely, is worth consideration. But when weighing the good points against the flaws, the HyperX CloudX Stinger Core still comes out ahead as a good headset at the 100 dollar pricepoint.
