HyperX Cloud Earbuds III vs Linsoul Kiwi Ears x in 2026

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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.

Updated: 2026-09-20 · 7 min read · Independent comparison

If you want a plug-and-play gaming headset replacement in earbud form — with a boom-free mic, virtual surround and zero battery to manage — choose HyperX Cloud Earbuds III; if you need a music-first in-ear monitor with real sub-bass weight, a metal build and a tunable cable ecosystem, choose Linsoul Kiwi Ears x (Kiwi Ears x B_Media: Chorus).

HyperX Cloud Earbuds III vs Linsoul Kiwi Ears x at a Glance

• HyperX Cloud Earbuds III — biggest strength: It's a complete gaming package in one cable: virtual surround sound, an omni-directional MEMS mic with noise reduction, in-line volume/mute/surround controls, and a USB-C connection that needs no sound card and no battery.

• HyperX Cloud Earbuds III — biggest trade-off: It's a gaming accessory first. The USB-C-only jack limits it to PC, handheld and mobile, and you won't get the audiophile tuning options or replaceable cable of a dedicated IEM.

• Linsoul Kiwi Ears x — biggest strength: A purpose-built music IEM with a 10 mm-class DLC dynamic driver, a warm balanced tuning with roughly 10 dB of sub-bass lift, a CNC metal faceplate and a two-core silver-plated 2-pin cable.

• Linsoul Kiwi Ears x — biggest trade-off: No microphone in this version, passive noise isolation only, and no surround processing or in-line controls — you're buying sound quality, not convenience.

• Pick HyperX Cloud Earbuds III if you mainly game on PC or handheld and want team chat and positional cues handled out of the box.

• Pick Linsoul Kiwi Ears x if you mainly listen to music, want a proper sub-bass shelf, and don't mind plugging into a 3.5 mm source or using a separate mic.

HyperX Cloud Earbuds III: Who It's For

This is a gaming earbud, and it doesn't pretend otherwise. The whole design revolves around the things a headset does that a pair of plain earphones can't. There's a built-in virtual surround system that widens the soundstage so footsteps and dialogue sit where they should on screen, plus DSP that keeps audio locked to the action. The omni-directional MEMS microphone with noise reduction picks up your voice from any angle and pushes background noise down, which matters more than people admit when you're in a Discord call with a fan running. And the in-line control lets you change volume, mute, and toggle surround without alt-tabbing out of a match.

Comfort is clearly the other half of the pitch. HyperX uses a patented Intra-Concha ear tip design — meaning the tips rest at the outer ear rather than sealing deep in the canal — and ships four sizes so you can dial in fit. The upside is less ear pressure over long sessions and ambient sound still seeping in, so you keep some situational awareness. The trade-off is exactly what you'd expect: less isolation than a deep-sealing IEM, and less bass slam as a result. The cable weighs under 30 g and the whole thing drops into a hardshell case, so it's a genuinely pocketable alternative to a full-size headset.

Buy it if you game on PC, a handheld or a phone with USB-C, you want voice chat and positional audio sorted in one cable, and you'd rather not think about charging anything. Skip it if your listening is mostly music, if you need a 3.5 mm jack, or if you want to swap cables and tips to tune the sound — this isn't that kind of product. The USB-C connection is the identity here: true plug-and-play, zero lag, no batteries, no dropped connections.

Linsoul Kiwi Ears x: Who It's For

The Kiwi Ears x B_Media: Chorus is a different animal entirely — a collaboration between Kiwi Ears and reviewer Axel Bostrom of B_Media, built for people who care about tonality. The headline is the driver: a latest-generation custom Diamond-Like Carbon diaphragm, a material that's been proven in IEMs for over a decade, with manufacturing improvements that increase membrane rigidity and tension. The practical result is a snappy, responsive driver, and Kiwi Ears quotes under 0.1% THD at 1 kHz, which is a genuinely low distortion figure for the price bracket this kind of IEM lives in.

The tuning is the part that will decide it for you. This is a warm, balanced signature with roughly 10 dB of sub-bass impact — Kiwi Ears describes it as mimicking a subwoofer. Mids are lush and full, with a 3 kHz pinna peak shaped to match the human ear, and the treble uses a slow decay so microdetails linger rather than snapping off. In plain terms: it's a musical, engaging listen that flatters almost any genre, rather than a clinical monitor or a bass-only novelty.

Physically, it's a step up in materials. The faceplate is CNC-machined metal with a commemorative Kiwi Ears x B_Media logo, which adds both a premium feel and real durability compared to plastic shells. You get a two-core silver-plated 2-pin cable designed for conductivity and low signal loss, and the IEM is offered with either a 3.5 mm or USB-C cable so you can match your source. Note the version naming here — the 3.5 mm listing is the one without a mic, and noise control is passive, meaning it relies purely on the seal the tips create.

Buy it if music is your priority, you want sub-bass weight and a warm midrange, and you're fine using a separate microphone for calls. Skip it if you need an all-in-one gaming solution with surround processing and in-line controls, or if you want active noise cancellation.

Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?

• Best for voice chat and streaming → HyperX Cloud Earbuds III. The omni-directional MEMS mic with noise reduction is built in and aimed at team comms.

• Best for pure music listening → Linsoul Kiwi Ears x. The DLC driver, warm tuning and 10 dB sub-bass shelf are aimed squarely at enjoyment, not call clarity.

• Best for positional gaming audio → HyperX Cloud Earbuds III. Virtual surround plus DSP sync is a feature the Kiwi Ears simply doesn't have.

• Best for build materials → Linsoul Kiwi Ears x. CNC metal faceplates versus a lightweight plastic-and-cable gaming design.

• Best for long-session comfort and low ear pressure → HyperX Cloud Earbuds III. Four ear tip sizes and the Intra-Concha design trade isolation for comfort.

• Best for isolation → Linsoul Kiwi Ears x. Passive isolation from a proper in-ear seal beats an outer-ear fit, though neither offers active cancellation.

• Best for cable flexibility → Linsoul Kiwi Ears x. A 2-pin silver-plated cable that can be swapped, and a choice of 3.5 mm or USB-C at purchase.

• Best for plug-and-play on PC and handheld → HyperX Cloud Earbuds III. USB-C, no sound card needed, no battery, no pairing.

My Verdict

If I had to pick one, it comes down to what I actually do most. For gaming with friends — mic, positional cues, mute button within reach — I'd buy the HyperX Cloud Earbuds III, because it solves the whole problem in one cable and I never have to think about it again. If I were buying primarily to listen to music and already had a separate mic, I'd take the Linsoul Kiwi Ears x for its driver, tuning and metal build. In my opinion the HyperX is the better single-purchase for a gamer; the Kiwi Ears is the better purchase for a listener. Buy for your main use case, not the spec sheet.

FAQ

Is the HyperX Cloud Earbuds III or the Linsoul Kiwi Ears x better for gaming?

The HyperX, in my opinion. It adds virtual surround, DSP sync, an in-line control and a noise-reducing mic — none of which the Kiwi Ears x offers. The Kiwi Ears is tuned for music, not positional cues.

Does the Linsoul Kiwi Ears x have a microphone?

The 3.5 mm version described here does not include a mic, and noise control is passive. If you need voice chat, either use a separate mic or look at the USB-C cable option.

Which one isolates outside noise better?

The Kiwi Ears x, because it seals properly in the ear canal for passive isolation. The HyperX Intra-Concha design deliberately lets ambient sound through, which helps awareness but blocks less noise.

Which should I buy if I care about price?

Both sit in different value propositions, so check the current price on Amazon before deciding. The HyperX bundles surround, a mic and controls; the Kiwi Ears puts its money into the driver, metal faceplate and cable. Compare what you actually need from that list.

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