Today’s best deals: HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, Google Chromecast, and more
Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica)
It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another Dealmaster. Our latest roundup of the best tech deals from around the web includes a new low on HyperX's Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset, which is currently down to $140 at Amazon with an on-page coupon. While that's still not quite cheap for a pair of gaming headphones, it is $60 off HyperX's MSRP and $20 below the previous best price we've seen.
I've had the Cloud Alpha Wireless on hand for the past several weeks. As with most gaming headsets, they are a bit overpriced compared to standard headphones purely in terms of sound quality, as the "V-shaped" signature here bumps the bass and, to a slightly lesser extent, treble at the expense of some detail and emphasis in the mid-range frequencies. But what's here is still good, especially next to other gaming headsets, lending bass-heavy songs and in-game explosions a good sense of impact. (It's possible to customize the Cloud Alpha Wireless' sound through a companion app, too, though that is only available on Windows PCs.) For competitive games, it's also fine at locating sounds like footsteps accurately.
Like the wired Cloud Alpha-which we've also recommended-this is a highly comfortable headset to wear for hours at a time. There's plush padding on the earcups and headband, and the whole build doesn't clamp down too hard on the ears. Just note that it can let in a bit more outside noise than some other closed-back headphones in particularly noisy environments. The included boom mic is perfectly competent for casual gaming chat, too, though a dedicated USB mic will still sound much fuller. It's also worth noting that these headphones can only connect over an included USB dongle, not Bluetooth or a 3.5 mm cable. This won't be an issue if you use them with a PC or a PlayStation console (or a Switch's dock), but for mobile devices or Xbox consoles (which require special wireless tech to work), it's a no-go.