Compare HyperX Cloud III vs Drop + Epos PC38X

Reviewers broadly found the Cloud III clear and enjoyable for gaming, but several described the sound as merely serviceable or flawed for music and higher-end listening.

Sound quality is the headline strength: reviewers repeatedly call the PC38X superb, detailed and unusually strong for a gaming headset. Even the more critical takes generally concede that its core audio is good.

Passive isolation was consistently useful, with earcups and cushioning blocking or shutting out outside noise without active cancellation.

Passive isolation is poor by design. Reviewers repeatedly note that the open-back cups let outside noise in, making the headset a better fit for quiet rooms than noisy shared spaces.

Soundstage was a recurring limitation, with multiple reviewers calling it narrow, confined, or one-dimensional despite a few acceptable impressions.

The open-back design delivers a consistently praised wide, immersive soundstage that makes games and music feel spacious. A small minority found the stage less expansive or too left-right focused than the hype suggests.

Sound leakage evidence was limited and mixed, with one review praising low leakage while another noted audible leakage outside the headset.

Sound leakage is an unavoidable open-back tradeoff: nearby people can hear your audio, especially at higher levels. One owner found leakage modest at normal volume, but shared-room use remains less private.

Bass evidence was split: some reviewers praised deep impact and oomph, while others found the low end lacking, flat, or not satisfying for music.

Bass is surprisingly full for an open-back headset, with repeated praise for punch, texture and control rather than muddy boom. A few reviewers prefer less bass for competitive play, and sub-bass depth is not universally strong.

Frequency-response impressions leaned neutral or refined in some reviews, but distortion and a less exciting tonal balance appeared as caveats.

The tuning is widely viewed as balanced, natural or well judged for gaming, with enough warmth to stay enjoyable. Competitive-FPS preferences create some disagreement about how much upper-mid and treble emphasis is ideal.

Microphone noise reduction was a strength overall, with several reviewers saying background noise, keyboard sounds, or distractions were reduced well.

Background-noise handling is decent to very good in many tests, but plosives are a recurring weakness. Several reviewers recommend positioning carefully or adding a windscreen/pop filter for cleaner speech.

Positional audio was mixed: several reviewers heard precise placement, while others struggled with directionality and in-game localization.

Positional audio is usually excellent, with repeated praise for locating direction, distance and movement without virtual surround. A minority found the advantage game-dependent or the imaging hazier than competing headphones.

One review directly praised sync behavior, saying wireless audio cues stayed aligned with on-screen action.

The wired analog connections provide a low-latency gaming experience, with no meaningful audio-video sync concern reported.

EQ customization was useful for tailoring sound, but reviewers criticized broken toggles, bad custom EQ behavior, missing onboard EQ, and poor presets.

There is no companion software for EQ, and reviewers who want to tune the sound see that as a clear limitation. External EQ or sound-card adjustments are possible, but the headset itself offers no software customization.

Setup simplicity varied, ranging from easy plug-and-play to painful setup or USB sound-card issues.

Setup is mostly simple plug-and-play analog audio with no required drivers or companion software. One later owner reported more Windows and game-level troubleshooting than expected, so ease can depend on the source hardware.

Call and chat voice quality was generally clear enough, though a few reviewers mentioned flat tone or low gain concerns.

Voice quality is one of the PC38X's better traits: calls and chat are typically clear, intelligible and natural for a headset mic. Some reviewers still hear thinness, inconsistent level behavior or a lack of bass compared with dedicated mics.

On-headset controls were usually praised for ease and convenience, though some reviewers disliked the mute location or loud mute-button noise.

The simple right-earcup volume wheel is usually praised for being easy to find and adjust quickly. Several reviewers dislike its light resistance or the fact that turning it fully down does not completely mute.

Included accessories were mixed-to-negative, especially where reviewers missed a pouch, velour pads, longer cable, or extra pads.

The accessory bundle is repeatedly praised: two useful cables, two pad sets and a simple pouch cover the main use cases without much filler.

Headband adjustability was usable, but the evidence was mixed because one reviewer found notches somewhat flimsy.

Headband adjustment has a broad range and accommodates a wide span of head sizes. The click-step mechanisms are generally viewed as secure and useful.

Connectivity versatility was polarized: wired models were flexible, but wireless dongle-only limits and missing wired/Bluetooth options hurt versatility.

Dual analog cables make it easy to move between desktop and portable/controller sources without adapters. Reviewers who discuss the connection options see them as a practical strength.

Detachable microphone convenience was mostly positive for flexibility, though one review warned the detachable mic could be misplaced.

The flip-to-mute boom is convenient, but it is permanently attached and fairly large. Reviewers who want a cleaner everyday headphone or modular setup repeatedly wish the mic could be removed.

Multi-platform compatibility was broad but imperfect: reviewers praised wide platform support while repeatedly noting dongle-only or Xbox gaps.

Cross-platform use is a consistent strength: reviewers successfully use the PC38X across PC and multiple consoles, with the included cable options making controller connections straightforward.

Detachable-cable convenience was mostly a weakness, with several wired or wireless reviews wishing for removability or wired fallback.

The cable is detachable, but the deeply recessed proprietary-style 2.5 mm connection limits easy third-party replacement. Multiple reviewers call that restriction inconvenient.

Midrange performance was usually clear enough for dialogue and vocals, but some reviewers heard recessed or weak mids that hurt music fullness.

Mids are usually described as clear, natural and full, especially for voices and in-game detail. A minority found them either too recessed or a little too prominent, so the midrange tuning is not unanimous.

Stability evidence was limited but positive, with one review noting the fit remained stable despite light clamping pressure.

One detailed fit assessment notes that the stronger clamp helps keep the headset stable on the head, even though that pressure can affect comfort.

Volume was usually loud enough, but some PlayStation and out-of-box experiences were called lower or underwhelming.

The PC38X is widely praised as easy to drive from phones, PCs and console controllers without a dedicated amp. One reviewer still wanted a little more headroom from a low-power controller, but output is generally sufficient.

A few reviewers said the headset kept detail or held up well at higher gain/volume, supporting good maximum-volume behavior.

One reviewer found the PC38X keeps its audio quality consistent as volume changes, with no obvious degradation at higher or lower listening levels.

Treble drew mixed reactions, ranging from crisp and detailed to bright, tinny, piercing, or overly high depending on the review and model.

Treble is generally crisp and detailed without becoming piercing, helping gunfire and positional cues stand out. Pad choice and taste matter: some heard a slightly dull top end, while others found it a bit bright or harsh.

Layering and separation were positively noted in a few game and music examples, though this was not a major theme across the evidence.

Separation is a strong point in dense mixes, with reviewers praising distinct channels, instruments and game cues. One music-focused take found separation merely average, but the overall pattern is clearly positive.

Replaceable earpads received positive evidence from reviews noting removable earcups or compatible replacement pads.

Swappable earpads are a well-liked feature, letting owners choose between the included cloth/mesh and velour options. Reviewers who comment on it appreciate both the flexibility and the easy changeover.

Carry case quality evidence was limited and negative, with one review saying the bag did not really protect the headset.

The included cloth pouch keeps the headset from getting scratched or dusty, but reviewers say it provides little real impact protection.

Earcup padding was generally praised as plush, thick, soft, or spacious, though pleather warmth and spicy ears were noted.

The ear pads are generally soft, breathable and deep enough to keep ears off the drivers, with cloth and velour options to suit preference. A few reviewers find the pads smaller or hotter than ideal.

Portability was weak because the headset was described as bulky, non-folding, or less suited for travel.

Portability is weak. The cups do not fold flat, the pouch offers little protection, and the open-back design plus fixed boom mic make mobile use less convenient.

Swivel and rotation range was a repeated weakness, with reviewers wishing HyperX had added more swivel.

Ear-cup rotation is limited: the cups may tilt or move slightly, but they do not swivel fully or lay flat. Reviewers who value full swivel see this as a drawback.

Microphone quality was one of the most commonly praised attributes, though a few reviews found it merely fine, flat, or lacking body.

The boom microphone is broadly above average for a gaming headset, with clear speech and convenient flip-to-mute behavior. Criticism focuses on its bulky fixed design, plosives and the gap versus a dedicated microphone.

Cable impressions were mixed: some liked the braided, low-noise feel, while others complained about cable noise or unwieldy length.

The included braided cables are often praised as sturdy and practical, especially because two lengths/terminations cover different setups. Complaints center on stiffness, tangling and the occasional transmission of rubbing noise.

Clamping force was widely described as comfortable, light-to-medium, or well balanced for stability without pressure.

Clamp is the most divisive comfort trait. Some reviewers call it perfectly judged, but many find it tight or pinchy out of the box and recommend letting the headset loosen with use.

Build quality was a strong point, repeatedly described as robust, premium-feeling, sturdy, solid, or excellent.

Build quality is the clearest split in the coverage. Some reviewers find the plastic chassis durable and well assembled, while others call it cheap-feeling, flimsy or chintzy for the price.

Weight comfort was mostly positive thanks to lightness, though a few reviewers found the wireless model heavier or fatiguing over time.

Low weight is unanimously praised where discussed. Reviewers repeatedly say the light plastic frame reduces fatigue over long gaming sessions.

Design was generally well liked, with reviewers praising the sleeker, premium, simple, or all-black look.

The restrained Sennheiser-style shape is widely liked, especially the later all-black look, but the original yellow accents are polarizing. Several reviewers appreciate that it looks less aggressively 'gamer' than many alternatives.

Comfort was one of the strongest areas, repeatedly praised for long sessions, soft padding, and an easy-to-forget fit.

Long-session comfort is a major strength: most reviewers can wear the PC38X for hours with little fatigue, helped by low weight and breathable pads. The main exception is firm initial clamp, which often eases after break-in.

Earpad replacement ease was positive in video evidence, with removable cups or compatible universal pads mentioned approvingly.

When reviewers discuss the swap process directly, they find the pads easy to pop off and snap back into place. Changing between cloth and velour is quick and fuss-free.

Value opinions ranged from excellent budget value and home-run pricing to complaints that the wireless version needed more features for its price.

Value depends heavily on sale price and priorities. Many reviewers consider the sound and comfort worth the premium, while others question paying close to $200 for a wired, plastic headset when cheaper or more feature-rich alternatives exist.

Battery life was a standout strength, with many wireless reviews praising week-plus use, roughly 100-hour endurance, or 120-hour claims.

Because the PC38X is wired, there is no battery runtime to manage or recharge. One reviewer explicitly treats that effectively unlimited uptime as a benefit.

The lack of active noise cancellation was specifically criticized as a noticeable omission at the wireless model’s price tier.

Two reviewers specifically found footsteps too subdued in competitive FPS with the stock tuning. They preferred brighter alternatives or EQ when footstep prominence was the priority.

Spatial audio was divisive: some praised precision and immersion, while others found DTS subtle, bad-sounding, or PC-limited.

Android compatibility was mixed-to-poor in the one direct review because unsupported Android devices behaved patchily.

Cable-borne rubbing noise is inconsistent but real: two reviewers notice some microphonics from the braided cable, while another says the deep-set connector largely suppresses vibration noise.

Console limitations centered on PC-only virtual surround/EQ behavior and reduced console-side adjustability.

Dongle reliance was a common concern because reviewers disliked patchy behavior, easy loss, and dependence on one connection method.

Glasses wearers report excellent results once the clamp settles, with soft pads applying little unwanted temple pressure. The open, cushioned fit is repeatedly singled out as glasses-friendly.

The integrated boom mic is unusually capable for an all-in-one gaming headset. Reviewers like having clear built-in communication without needing a separate desk or boom microphone.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with many reviewers calling the PC38X a favorite, a top-tier gaming headset or an easy recommendation. The dissenting reviews mainly object to price, build feel, clamp or specific FPS tuning rather than the whole product.

Packaging is minimalist and functional rather than premium. Reviewers generally accept the plain presentation because the headset and accessories are protected and the budget appears focused on the product itself.

Preset EQ evidence was strongly negative in the one direct review, which called the included presets junk.

Sidetone and mic monitoring were highly inconsistent, ranging from useful or best-ever sidetone to non-working monitoring toggles.

The matte plastic finish resists visible fingerprints well in the one review that evaluates smudging, helping the headset stay clean-looking.

USB-C support was viewed positively, especially when paired with included USB-A adapters and broader platform use.

Wireless latency was consistently praised where tested, with reviewers reporting low or nonexistent lag.

Xbox compatibility was a clear weakness for wireless reviews, repeatedly called absent or disappointing.

App evidence was mixed-to-negative: a few found it straightforward, while others reported detection issues, limited features, or unusable support.

Bluetooth evidence was sharply mixed because most wireless reviews criticized its absence, while one review praised a Bluetooth mode in its transcript.

Charging evidence was limited, with one reviewer criticizing the included charging cable length.

Fit and seal were strong in the few direct mentions, supporting comfort, glasses use, and noise blocking.

Hinge durability evidence was positive where discussed, emphasizing the Cloud line’s tank-like construction reputation.