HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB Review: Gaming Headset with Hi-Res Audio

This enhances spatial accuracy in games. With an extended frequency range, in-game sounds are rendered more precisely, which is particularly important in shooters, where identifying enemy footsteps or the direction of gunfire can provide a competitive advantage.

Additionally, Hi-Res Audio support enhances the realism of music, background effects, and character voices, improving overall immersion in games.

Such a headset isn’t just useful for gaming—it’s also well-suited for high-quality music playback and watching movies with clear, detailed sound. Many gaming headsets include extra features like volume control, quick microphone access, or multi-platform compatibility. If you have access to lossless audio formats such as FLAC, ALAC, or DSD, a Hi-Res certified headset can fully unlock their potential.

To obtain Hi-Res Audio certification, a device—in this case, the headset—must meet strict requirements across the entire audio path. The drivers need to produce frequency response up to at least 40 kHz on the upper end, and the digital components must support formats of 96 kHz/24-bit or higher. It’s not just about meeting technical specifications; the actual sound quality is also evaluated by a dedicated audio quality manager during production. In practice, this means that certification requires manufacturers to use higher-quality components, so you can expect better overall sound performance.

In other words, with Hi-Res Audio certification, a gaming headset becomes a versatile accessory not only for gamers but also for regular users who want high-quality, detailed sound.

Who needs HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB

For most of you, the answer is probably obvious—gamers. Honestly, before this testing, I would have said the same. But now, my opinion has changed significantly. Yes, first and foremost, these HATOR headphones will catch the attention of gamers. And this includes not only beginners but even professional players.

The HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB is very comfortable, compact, and lightweight, making it suitable for long gaming sessions. Additionally, it is fairly affordable.

That’s true, but there’s another group of people for whom this headset is a real find: audiophiles or those seeking high-quality sound in wired headphones. I count myself among this group because I really enjoy listening to music through good-quality headphones. And, to be honest, there aren’t that many options available. Sure, you could go for expensive models like the Sennheiser HD 820 or Sony WH-1000XM4, but not all users can afford those. That’s where the HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB can be a great alternative. In terms of sound and comfort, they definitely hold their own, and they certainly win when it comes to price.

The new HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB is already available in electronics stores at a recommended price of $53 / €30. This is a great price for such a quality headset. The gaming headset is only available in black.

What’s in the package

The gaming headset comes in a branded cardboard box that reflects HATOR’s traditional color scheme—bright yellow and black.

On the front of the box, you’ll find an image of the headset along with the model name. On the back, users can review the technical specifications in three languages. It’s all quite convenient and informative.

Inside the box, along with the HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB headset, you’ll find a 1.3-meter USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, a 1-meter USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, a user manual, a welcome card from HATOR, a firmware update guide, and some fun stickers.

The package is quite good, covering nearly all the needs of the gaming community. As you can see, the updated version of the Hyperpunk 3 USB no longer includes the HATOR Crystal 7.1 sound card that was part of the previous version.

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HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB design

When it comes to choosing a gaming headset, gamers primarily focus not only on sound quality but also on comfort, lightweight design, and the quality of the materials used in the construction. The HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB meets all of these criteria. It offers a truly stylish and comfortable gaming headset.

These headphones are quite lightweight, weighing only 240 grams. Yes, they are heavier compared to the previous version, but there are valid reasons for this. The new model features improved, higher-quality materials and digital components. While the weight has increased, the headset remains very comfortable and easy to wear. So, when it comes to ergonomics and build quality, there should be no complaints.

You’ll definitely appreciate the flexible and soft headband, which has a pleasant textile covering. The headset is adjustable to fit your needs, and everything aligns perfectly without any misalignment.

I was particularly impressed with the ergonomic fabric ear cups filled with memory foam. Honestly, I’m not usually a fan of this type of headset, but here, it’s actually very comfortable.

I could play games, attend online meetings, and participate in conferences for hours without feeling any fatigue. Moreover, thanks to the high-quality materials, you won’t experience any discomfort during use. I expected to deal with sweaty ears and headaches during intense gaming sessions, so I was pleasantly surprised when that didn’t happen. This is all thanks to the excellent ear cup materials, which ensure good air circulation.

You might feel a minimal pressure on your ear cups or the top of your head, but it’s not significant. It’s worth noting that the headband attachment system has been improved, providing a more even pressure around the ears.

I was also concerned whether my glasses would interfere with using the headset, but that turned out to be a non-issue. The fabric ear cups with memory foam are now more comfortable for glasses users, thanks to the improved ergonomics. Ventilation has also been enhanced, providing comfort even during extended use. Additionally, the design has changed: instead of the traditional stretch-around ear cup method, the ear cups now feature their own plastic frame that attaches to the headset using pins. This makes replacement much easier, which is particularly important for those buying a headset for the long term, knowing that ear cups are a wear-and-tear item.

Compared to the previous models, the developers have now implemented a hybrid dual connection method. The most notable change is that there is no longer an analog connection to the separate HATOR Crystal 7.1 sound card, as was the case with the Hyperpunk 2.

Now, the main audio path will work exclusively via wired USB. By the way, the package includes two cables: a 1.3-meter USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable and a 1-meter USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable. Is this change justified? Definitely yes, as it brings expanded functionality and digital sound quality. And believe me, it’s worth it.

That’s an interesting feature – the ability to use an additional Bluetooth module for connection, for example, to a smartphone. This means that during gameplay, you can still take calls. It really makes the headset very convenient and practical. You can also use the Bluetooth module as a secondary channel, which allowed me to listen to music while playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The experience was incredible: you’re walking through the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, filled with dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies, and powerful artifacts, and Wagner’s music plays in your ears.

The entire control center is placed on the left ear cup of the headset. This is quite convenient during gameplay when you need to quickly mute the microphone or switch profiles. There are two separate buttons for that purpose. Next to them, you’ll find an analog volume control and a jack for connecting the microphone, which has a special cover when the mic is not plugged in.

They also didn’t forget the connection and power status indicator, which is barely noticeable but still present.

A few words about the microphone. It’s detachable and features a standard 3.5mm jack with a flexible arm that holds its shape. This allows you to adjust the microphone to your preferred angle.

The microphone operates within a frequency range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of >64 dB and a sensitivity of -38 ±3 dB. These specs are sufficient for comfortable communication during gaming sessions or while attending/listening to lectures.

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What’s inside

The new HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB brings some noticeable improvements compared to its predecessors. Instead of the previous 50mm drivers, it now features new 40mm drivers, still with Hi-Res Audio certification. On the surface, reducing the driver size may seem like an odd decision, but the developers clearly knew what they were doing. The headset compensates for this change with better build quality and improved acoustic performance. This includes a wider frequency range of 44 kHz and PET membranes, which contribute to more accurate reproduction of high frequencies. And it truly delivers—high-frequency issues that are common in gaming headsets are completely absent in this model.

It’s also worth mentioning the acoustic design of the drivers, which HATOR has paid particular attention to. Thanks to the unique Driver Cavity construction, an isolated space is created around the speaker. This significantly reduces unwanted resonances and enhances the sound. The key feature is that, despite the different components inside each ear cup, the volume of the sound chambers on the left and right remains identical. This ensures a consistent reproduction of the right and left channels, which is a nice bonus for audiophiles.

The HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB features a dual-core 32-bit audio processing processor and a 24-bit DAC with a 96 kHz sampling rate, which provide a significant upgrade in audio processing quality. These components are also housed in the left ear cup of the headset. This approach allows for virtual 7.1 surround sound and access to advanced customization options. As a result, the need for an external HATOR Crystal 7.1 sound card, which was included in the previous model, has been eliminated.

The headset also features a Hi-Res chipset from Cmedia, allowing the USB audio interface to include four built-in equalizer presets. This enables easy switching between sound modes with a dedicated button. It’s quite convenient during gaming or while watching videos on YouTube. With a single press, you can adjust the sound to your preference, which I found particularly useful when switching to Spotify to enjoy music tracks after a gaming session.

In short, the HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB offers excellent audio capabilities, making it a solid choice for gamers.

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Software

If you’re using a USB connection to a PC or computer, all settings can be adjusted through the Windows application. The software allows you to configure the speakers, microphone, and even the indicator separately. The customization options are solid and easy to navigate, giving you the flexibility to tailor everything to your preferences.

The available headphone settings include volume control, sampling frequency, equalizer, environmental effects, 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter, Xear SingFX, and Xear Surround Max.

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by HATOR’s approach. It turns out that for Bluetooth functionality, they have their own app called HATOR SyncHUB, which is available for both Android and iOS smartphones.

The app itself is quite user-friendly and simple to navigate. It allows for deeper customization of your gaming headset. While I wouldn’t say it offers a vast array of options, it’s sufficient for comfortable use. The app’s interface is divided into four sections. You can configure up to nine independent equalizer profiles for Bluetooth mode. There’s also an option to adjust and control noise-canceling settings when making or receiving calls.

I should mention that not everything is perfect, but I’ll get into that later. Additionally, within the app, you can update the headset’s firmware. There’s also an option to change the voice prompts of the headset.

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HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB in use

Now, let me share how the HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB performs in real-world conditions. I’ve already mentioned the comfort and lightweight design, but I’ll add that I’m impressed with the materials used for the body, headband, and ear cushions. You can really feel the quality and attention to detail here. With relatively affordable headphones, you might expect some shortcomings, but there are none. The control buttons work perfectly every time, and adjusting the volume is very convenient. The only minor issue was that I had to spend a bit of time adjusting the microphone for comfortable use, but that’s a small detail.

Now, the most important part – the sound quality. During gameplay, there are no issues at all. You can hear every enemy step, feel the rhythm of the game, and clearly hear gunshots. There’s no problem in that regard. However, the noise cancellation did raise a bit of concern. While it’s well-adjusted and doesn’t interfere with gameplay, there were times when I heard external sounds, which became distracting during play.

I had some concerns and expectations regarding the Hi-Res Audio certification. I enjoy listening to Spotify Hi-Fi, as I want to fully appreciate both classical music and contemporary tracks. Often, headphones or headsets have poor sound reproduction in the bass range. However, the HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB handled my favorite Wagner, Brahms, and Debussy pieces excellently. Even modern works sounded very pleasant. The sound was clean, rich, and free of distortion or muddiness. There was no noticeable “mash” you sometimes hear with other headphones. The Hi-Res Audio certification really makes a difference.

Yes, the headset doesn’t have audiophile capabilities, as it can only support Hi-Res Audio at 24-bit/96kHz. It’s still a step up from the standard CD-DA quality of 16-bit/44.1kHz, but it falls short of reaching that level. However, it’s still a decent improvement.

It’s also worth mentioning the microphone and speakers. They performed well during phone calls and lectures, without any major issues, except for the previously mentioned noise cancellation.

For some users, the USB connection might be a problem. Classic gamers still prefer the old 3.5mm audio jack. However, for me, it wasn’t an issue since I connected it to my laptop, and there’s also the Bluetooth option for smartphones.

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Conclusions

I won’t write too much here, praising or criticizing its flaws, as that would be a repetition of the review. For me, the HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB has been a real revelation. It’s a great, affordable gaming headset that will appeal not only to gamers but also to casual users and even music lovers. It performs well during gaming sessions, with clear, high-quality sound, free from distortion. The microphone is sensitive enough, ensuring good clarity for conversations. There won’t be any issues with communication. The comfort of use, thanks to its light weight and quality materials, is also a big plus.

It’s also worth mentioning the HATOR SyncHUB app. It’s user-friendly and intuitive, though it only allows you to adjust the Bluetooth channel.

As for drawbacks, I’ve already mentioned the insufficient noise cancellation. For some, the increased weight compared to the previous version might also be an issue.

Who would I recommend the new HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB to? Honestly, I’ve started to wish I could keep it myself after getting used to its quality sound over the past few days. I would suggest it to beginner gamers or anyone looking for a solid, well-built headset at a good price. I’m confident it will impress with its great sound quality and offer a rich experience in the world of modern games.

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