TL;DR: A genuinely good-sounding $180 closed-back wireless gaming headset with a relaxed, versatile tuning and EQ that saves onto the headset. It sits somewhere between Audeze Maxwell for and Fractal Scape for its blend of “default preset” sound quality and software features, and I’d say it strikes a happy middle between these two.
Build, Fit, Comfort, Feature Notes
- Light and comfy with low clamp; most comfortable of the three compared in the video (Cloud III / Scape / Maxwell) for larger heads.
- Limited cup swivel; fit depends on headband/yoke play. One of my bigger gripes with this design.
- Pads are soft but a bit too springy/plasticky—great space around the ear, yet smaller heads may lose bass from imperfect seal due to material/construction.
- Has a very bright white finish (not a fan, personally); also has magnetic plates on the exterior of the cups which are swappable.
Microphone
- Detachable boom prioritizes noise rejection over tone; intelligible but not broadcast-quality.
- Cloud III S version’s built-in mic is handy for calls on BT but worse at isolation. For real quality, use a standalone mic.
Software (Ingenuity App)
- EQ profiles can be saved on the headset (big win).
- Many fixed bands (not parametric), so you can nudge tonality but can’t reshape it precisely.
- Optional surround mode; stereo remains recommended and likely to be most accurate for most uses.
Sound Quality Cliffnotes
Sub-bass lift with a mild dip ~250 Hz; results in a fairly punchy low end without muddying mids. Slightly relaxed ear-gain region, which results in a softer, more forgiving presentation that works especially well for rock/metal. There’s a mild rise in the 8-10 kHz region that adds a bit of sparkle and seems to balance fairly well with the bass elevation.
My subjective ranking:
- Audeze Maxwell — clearest, most even treble, strongest detail
- Cloud III Wireless — smoother treble, very likable default tuning
- Fractal Scape — sharper treble by default, but can be EQ’d extensively
Isolation, connectivity & battery
Isolation is better than Scape, worse than Maxwell. The BT range is fairly solid across rooms but the weakest of the three in difficult spots/situations. Re: battery and charging, it easily handles full workdays; no complaints.
Cloud III vs. Scape vs. Maxwell — Who should pick what?
Pick Cloud III Wireless if: you want natural-leaning treble, comfy fit, and stored EQ for BT use without fuss.
Pick Fractal Scape if: you’ll live in parametric EQ, want best-in-class app & profile sharing, and don’t mind a spicier treble you’ll tame with PEQ.
Pick Audeze Maxwell if: you prioritize best stock sound quality and stronger isolation, and don’t mind extra weight.
Main Gripes
- Needs cup swivel and more compliant pads; seal sensitivity likely to be a pain on smaller hurts small heads.
- Fixed-band EQ misses crucial spots (e.g., ~3 kHz, ~300 Hz).
- Mics are serviceable, not pleasant.
- The white finish is… not subtle, and thus not my thing really.
Verdict
For ~$180, the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless is a standout: genuinely enjoyable tuning out of the box, easy long-session comfort, and practical stored EQ for phone use. If you crave surgical PEQ or ultimate resolution, Scape and Maxwell still lead in their lanes. For everyone else—especially treble-sensitive listeners who want an effortless wireless closed-back—the Cloud III Wireless is an easy recommend.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/hyperx-cloud-iii-s-wireless-review
