Short answer: the HyperX Cloud Alpha. It ranks #93 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.3/5) at $44.99 and is still sold new; the Sony WH-CH510 ranks #98 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the HyperX Cloud Alpha does well: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 4 dB above the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, which gives kick drums and bass guitar extra weight for games and pop. Watch for: Treble is uneven, with a 4.6 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sharp and a 5.8 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals slightly back.
The case for the Sony WH-CH510: This is a wireless closed-back headphone with Bluetooth 5.0, SBC and AAC codecs, and a rated 35 hours of battery life, at only 0.3 lbs (132 g). The tradeoff: Presence is about 4 dB low with a 7.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocal and guitar bite recede and detail sounds muted.
Buy the HyperX Cloud Alpha. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony WH-CH510 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HyperX Cloud Alpha | Sony WH-CH510 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.99 | $64.19 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #93 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #98 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.80 dB standard deviation | 2.49 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 65 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (298 g) | 0.3 lbs (132 g) |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 27kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | No |
| Battery Life | - | 35 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
Related Headphone Comparisons
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- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs HyperX Cloud Alpha
- Sony WH-CH510 vs HyperX Cloud II
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sony WH-CH510
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Anker Soundcore Space One
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
HyperX Cloud Alpha: $44.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 4 dB above the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, which gives kick drums and bass guitar extra weight for games and pop. The closed 50mm driver at 98 dB sensitivity and 65 ohms runs easily from a phone or console controller, and the built-in microphone suits voice chat.
Cons: Treble is uneven, with a 4.6 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sharp and a 5.8 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals slightly back. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4 dB hot, adding a hint of fizz on top of the warm tilt.
Full HyperX Cloud Alpha review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.80 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 27kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (298 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 104 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.23 |
| Peak | 733 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 4,324 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 6,110 Hz | -3.0 dB | 3.21 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 41 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 159 Hz | +0.5 dB | 3.01 |
| Peak | 212 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.66 |
| Peak | 1,964 Hz | +0.5 dB | 4.33 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony WH-CH510: $64.19 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: This is a wireless closed-back headphone with Bluetooth 5.0, SBC and AAC codecs, and a rated 35 hours of battery life, at only 132 g. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 2.7 dB above target, giving a warm, easygoing sound for casual listening, with a fairly smooth 2.49 dB deviation.
Cons: Presence is about 4 dB low with a 7.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocal and guitar bite recede and detail sounds muted. There is no active noise cancelling, and the codec list stops at SBC and AAC, so there is no higher-bitrate option. Discontinued.
Full Sony WH-CH510 review and specifications →
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 35 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Connection | Wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.49 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (132 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | -9.8 dB | 0.83 |
| Peak | 5,368 Hz | +6.4 dB | 2.11 |
| Peak | 1,401 Hz | -2.1 dB | 2.20 |
| Peak | 2,257 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.59 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 239 Hz | +1.2 dB | 1.05 |
| Peak | 120 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.75 |
| Peak | 576 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.91 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.76 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons