The Cloud Revolver S is the flagship gaming headset from Kingston's gaming brand, HyperX. It features the Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound mode, without the need to install software on your computer or gaming console.

It does so by using an included USB audio-control box with a digital-signal processing sound card to deliver surround sound. The control box features two backlit buttons - for Dolby Surround and the microphone. Two dials on its sides let you control microphone-input and audio-output levels easily.

The headset itself is sleek but does not draw much attention. It is predominantly black, clad in a black steel frame with a bendable black headband and two black ear cups. Even the detachable microphone comes in black. Only the white exhaust-like motifs with the white HyperX logo break the otherwise stealthy looks.

The two ear cups and the headband are padded with HyperX's signature memory foam. This is probably the most comfortable closed headphones I have used.

It fits the shape of my head and cups my ears very comfortably. Even after prolonged use, there are no signs of headache or warm ears.

Furthermore, it is really versatile and can be used with any audio device via its 3.5mm headphone jack. Thus, it can be used on your iPod and your smartphone (except the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus). You just do not get the surround sound mode.

Listening to a range of rock, R&B, jazz and Mandopop songs with my iPod Touch, I found the sound quality to be consistently superb. It offers a strong bass with clear mid-range and distinct lows.

But for gaming, you will want surround sound. You can connect the headset to your PC, Mac or Playstation 4 (PS4) using the USB audio control box. The Xbox One is unfortunately not supported for surround sound, though it can still be used with the normal 3.5mm jack.

Plug its USB audio control box to, say, a PS4, and connect the headphone to the audio-control box's 3.5mm jack and you are ready to go.

Press the Dolby Surround button once to activate the surround sound. And the effect is immediately obvious.

However, the Dolby 7.1 Surround mode does not quite hit the right notes. It just sounds like an echo chamber. As a result, the sound in this mode is not as clear and distinct as non-surround sound.

I couldn't really hear where the enemies were coming from or the direction of shrieking bullets in games with this surround sound mode.

While the microphone picks up my voice readily, it not as clean as it should be. There is some "hiss", according to the people I was communicating with via the headset.

The headset is rather expensive at $239. Even Razer's gaming headsets are not this steeply priced.

Trevor Tan

•Verdict: Its surround sound quality might not be stellar, but the HyperX Cloud Revolver S is a comfortable and versatile gaming headset that you will readily wear everywhere you go.