SSS.6.71 - CGS Hyperion and the Q mini FIX 300 BLK Subsonic
/CGS Hyperion on a Q mini FIX 300 BLK with 8-in Barrel
The Hyperion is designed by CGS Group. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress most cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, including 300 Norma Magnum. It has a 1.75-inch diameter and is 9.5 inches in length. The silencer is available as a 5/8”-24tpi 25-degree tapered direct-thread model that may also be used with Hyperion Thread Adapters. The adapters may be used for barrels with diameters less than 0.725 inches or for host weapons with 1/2”-28tpi thread pitches. The use of the adapters adds approximately 0.8 inches to the length of the silencer. The Hyperion core is constructed of Direct Metal Laser Sintered (DMLS, or “3D Printed”) heat treated 6AL4V (Grade 5) titanium. The front endcap is interchangeable and also constructed of Grade 5 titanium. The thread adapters are made of 17-4 stainless steel. The silencer weighs 15 ounces. The Hyperion can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
PEW Science is an independent private testing laboratory and also the world’s only publicly funded suppressed small arms research cooperative. Testing, data analysis, and reporting is generated with funding provided by PEW Science members. Any test data that is generated with any portion of private funding contains this disclosure. The testing and data production for this Sound Signature Review was funded in part by PEW Science Project PEW-CGS-006-001-20. Therefore, data pertaining to the Hyperion in this Sound Signature Review is published with the express written permission of CGS Group, LLC.
This review contains single-test results using the Hyperion direct-thread mounted to the Q mini FIX bolt action pistol, chambered in 300 BLK with an 8-inch barrel. Discreet Ballistics 190gr ammunition was used in the test.
- Section 6.71.1 contains the Hyperion test results and analysis.
- Section 6.71.2 contains Suppression Rating comparisons with selected .30 rifle silencers in the subsonic flow regime.
- Section 6.71.3 contains Suppression Rating comparisons with selected .30 rifle silencers in both the subsonic and supersonic flow regimes. PEW Science Back Pressure Metric, Ω [Pa-1] comparisons are also included. Further information about the Ω metric and Omega Zones can be obtained in PEW Science Research Supplement 6.40 (Public Article).
- Section 6.71.4 contains the review summary and PEW Science opinions.
Summary: When paired with the Q mini FIX 8” 300 BLK and fired with Discreet Ballistics 190gr Subsonic Target ammunition, the CGS Hyperion in the direct thread configuration achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 72.3 in PEW Science testing.
The supersonic .308 performance of the CGS Hyperion is detailed in previous Sound Signature Review 6.27, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 52.3.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings
6.71.1 CGS Hyperion Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the CGS Hyperion is shown in Table 1. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. This is a members-only review and includes pressure and impulse waveforms measured at the shooter’s ear. PEW Science thanks you for your support; further testing, research, and development of PEW-SOFT and the Silencer Sound Standard is made possible by members like you!
Table 1. CGS Hyperion Sound Metric Summary
6.71.1.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories from a 5-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT™ are shown below. The waveforms are not averaged, decimated, or filtered. The data acquisition rate used in all PEW Science testing is 1.0 MS/s (1 MHz). The peaks, shape, and time phasing (when the peaks occur in relation to absolute time and to each other) of these raw waveforms are the most accurate of any firearm silencer testing publicly available. PEW-SOFT data is acquired by PEW Science independent testing; the industry leader in silencer sound research. For more information, please consult the Silencer Sound Standard, here.
Figure 1 shows a 4-millisecond long sequence of events during the first test shot with the CGS Hyperion, as measured 1.0 m left of the muzzle. There are four significant events labeled:
During combustion within the weapon system, a 117.2 dB peak is measured.
The majority of the precursor flow through the silencer is suppressed, and a peak of 124.1 dB is measured after the bullet leaves the end cap.
Secondary jetting is measured at a peak of 125.7 dB.
Latent jetting results in a peak overpressure amplitude measured to be 130.1 dB.
This is a typical sequence observed when firing subsonic 300 BLK ammunition from a bolt-action weapon system with an attached silencer that exhibits high flow restriction (high back pressure); internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes. Supersonic and subsonic suppression performance, along with back pressure comparisons are shown in Section 6.71.3 of this review, with the PEW Science Back Pressure Metric, Ω [Pa-1].
Fig. 1 Early-Time Shot History, CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
The back pressure generated by the CGS Hyperion is higher than that generated by the other silencers shown in the published subsonic 300 BLK flow regime by PEW Science, to date. Of the published dataset, the early time flow characteristics of the CGS Hyperion on this weapon system are most similar to that of the Sig SRD762Ti-QD (Review 6.39). Both the SRD762Ti-QD and the Hyperion restrict more flow than the the Surefire SOCOM300-SPS (Review 6.57) and the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold (Review 6.70). The most notable differences in early time flow between the Hyperion and those silencers occur in both the delay of primary jetting after bullet exit, and the reduction of primary jetting amplitude. The CGS Hyperion is quieter than all of the aforementioned silencers, in all flow regimes. The Hyperion’s subsonic suppression performance is significant and atypical of many centerfire rifle silencers. Quantitative subsonic suppression performance comparisons are provided in Section 6.71.2 of this review.
In a similar fashion to the early time subsonic 300 BLK signature suppression with the SRD762Ti-QD and SOCOM300-SPS silencers, precursor flow (the pressure measured from compression and subsequent overpressure pulse through the air column in the gun barrel by the bullet prior to bullet exit) is significantly suppressed. This is in contrast to the subsonic signature generated by silencers with lower flow restriction (lower back pressure).
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 2a. A zoomed-in timescale displays the region of peak sound pressure in Figure 2b, for the first three shots. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 3. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Fig 2a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 2b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 3a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 3b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
The CGS Hyperion produces somewhat perceptible FRP to bystanders; it is also discernable in both the pressure and impulse regimes (Figure 2 and Figure 3, respectively). The overpressure amplitude generated by the Hyperion at the muzzle on this platform is significantly suppressed (Fig 2a). Although the FRP in the pressure regime does occur, the jetting amplitude from ancillary combustion is not significant (Fig 2b). The deviation of ancillary early-time combustion behavior during FRP is highlighted in the impulse regime (Fig 3), in which the Hyperion reaches peak amplitude at the same time as subsequent shots, albeit with approximately 42% more peak impulse, on average. Despite this increase, the overall suppression of both FRP and subsequent shots, in this impulse amplitude regime, is significant.
PEW Science Research Note 1: The increase in back pressure from the Hyperion compared with that of the CGS Hyperion K (Review 6.50) is significant; the two silencers are identical in their mounting and expansion section geometries but diverge due to the full-size Hyperion’s length. This extra gas flow restriction pays significant subsonic suppression performance dividends, as subsonic suppression is highly dependent upon back pressure generation; it is the primary mechanism of subsonic sound signature suppression in most small arm weapon system silencers. The reader is encouraged to examine the performance of other silencers in similar Omega Metric ranges as defined in PEW Science Public Research Supplement 6.40. This is also discussed in Section 6.71.3, below.
PEW Science Research Note 2: It is not only back pressure that drives the significant sound suppression of the CGS Hyperion in multiple flow regimes. In addition to immediate gas venting to an outer annulus and recombination through a forward so-called reducer array, the Hyperion technology includes progressive baffle geometry that takes advantage of flow field velocity gradients forward of the reducer. The holistic design of the Hyperion is a significantly advanced departure from many silencers on the current market. These technologies allow it to also possess high performance in the supersonic flow regime with both .308 (Review 6.27) and 6.5CM (Review 6.37).
The FRP of the Hyperion in the subsonic flow regime may be noticeable to some bystanders, but it is not severe. First-round sound signatures always differ from subsequent shots, as the atmosphere within the silencer changes. The FRP phenomenon cannot always be shown by viewing only the peak sound pressure. This is one of the reasons why The Silencer Sound Standard requires examining multiple sound signature metrics.
With subsonic 300 BLK from an 8-inch barrel, the Hyperion is noticeably quieter to bystanders than it is with supersonic .308 from a 20-in barrel. Direct comparisons with other silencers are provided in Section 6.71.2 and 6.71.3, below.
6.71.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT at the shooter’s ear are shown below. Again, the waveforms are not averaged, decimated, or filtered. The data acquisition rate used in all PEW Science testing is 1.0 MS/s (1 MHz).
The primary sound signature pressure histories at the ear for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 4. The primary sound signature history is shown on the left. A zoomed-in timescale is displayed on the right, in the region of peak sound pressure. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories at the ear from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 5. Full and short timescales are shown.
Figure 4a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 4b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 5a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 5b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Impulse Signature
The FRP at the shooter’s ear on this host weapon with the Hyperion is visible in the pressure regime (Fig 4b) but not in the impulse regime (Figure 5). PEW Science inner ear modeling indicates that the FRP of the Hyperion on this platform may not be perceptible to the shooter. Bystanders are more likely to be able to perceive the FRP from the Hyperion, on this platform.
PEW Science Research Note 3: The CGS Hyperion is a high performance centerfire rifle silencer in all flow regimes. The balance of high performance on both supersonic and subsonic cartridges, with multiple barrel lengths, is due to its holistic design. The same gas flow mechanisms that allow the technology in the Hyperion and Hyperion K to quickly vent gas into the annulus also work in concert with the additional lengthened flow paths in the full size Hyperion to greatly diminish the propagation of ancillary combustion out of the silencer. These features, along with the progressive baffle geometry, represent one of the most advanced feature-sets available in a rifle silencer, on the market today. FRP mitigation of this magnitude, in this flow regime from an 8-inch barrel, is highly atypical. The suppression of FRP by the Hyperion on this platform, to the shooter, is so great that it may be considered masked to most weapon system operators. The risk of hearing damage risk to the weapon system operator is significantly reduced with the Hyperion on this system.
PEW Science Research Note 4: It is very important to note that when a suppressed weapon system is operated with an at-ear Suppression Rating nearing 70, the signatures are not characteristic of typical suppressed small arms. Operation of such weapon systems by inexperienced shooters may result in situations in which system lethality is not adequately understood; the propensity for such weapon systems to not be operated with the same respect as “louder” systems may be non-trivial. PEW Science encourages the user to practice safe firearm system operation in accordance with weapon system component manufacturer directives. The sound signatures of such centerfire rifle systems, and their relationship to lethality, may be misleading or not readily apparent, to both the operator and bystanders.
Comparisons with other silencers in the subsonic flow regime are shown in Section 6.71.2, with the supersonic and subsonic comparisons shown in Section 6.71.3.
6.71.2 Suppression Rating Comparison - Subsonic 300 BLK
The CGS Hyperion suppressor is intended to exhibit extreme sound suppression (exhibiting a high PEW Science Suppression Rating) in a durable and lightweight envelope. As previously discussed, its subsonic sound signature suppression performance is extreme. Figure 6 shows a performance comparison of the 13 .30 rifle silencer configurations tested with the subsonic 300 BLK cartridge shown in public PEW Science testing, to date. Unsuppressed and suppressed Suppression Ratings are shown for both the shooter and bystanders.
Figure 6. Suppression Rating Comparisons Of .30 Rifle Silencers Using PEW-SOFT 300 BLK Subsonic Test Data
The CGS Hyperion is able to significantly restrict gas flow. However, gross flow restriction is not the only mechanism by which the Hyperion excels in sound suppression across multiple flow regimes. In addition to immediate gas venting to an outer annulus and recombination through a forward so-called reducer array, the Hyperion technology includes progressive baffle geometry that takes advantage of flow field velocity gradients forward of the reducer. As previously stated, the holistic design of the Hyperion is a significantly advanced departure from many silencers on the current market.
The Suppression Ratings both 1.0 m left of the endcap and 6-in right of the shooter’s right ear with the Hyperion are approximately half a category higher than that of the Sig SRD762Ti-QD (Review 6.39); a silencer that exhibits high subsonic sound signature suppression performance. Interestingly, the Hyperion exhibits significantly more FRP suppression than the SRD762Ti-QD. While the CGS silencer is longer than the Sig silencer, the Hyperion flow dynamics are significantly more advanced. The Hyperion exhibits FRP suppression in a different class than the SRD762Ti-QD on this platform; an achievement that is atypical. Suppression of FRP from short barrel 300 BLK weapons is non-trivial.
PEW Science Research Note 5: The subsonic 300 BLK suppression of the CGS Hyperion is unique in that it not only significantly suppresses FRP, but the signatures of the entire shot string are so significantly suppressed that host weapon combustion becomes more influential in the signature to the shooter than with many other silencers. When operating suppressed weapon systems approaching Suppression Ratings in the 70s at the muzzle and/or ear, secondary and tertiary signature components may become more apparent. Weapon system resonance, for example, may be more perceptible to the shooter or bystanders.
For further context regarding the Hyperion’s 300 BLK suppression performance, it’s muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings are almost a full category higher than that of the Surefire SOCOM300-SPS (Review 6.57), which is a purpose-built 300 BLK silencer. This performance is extreme. The performance of the Hyperion is over two categories higher than the wiped configuration of the Energetic Armament VOX S (Review 6.38) on this platform. This demonstrates class-leading subsonic 300 BLK performance.
The propensity of a rifle silencer to exhibit differing sound signature suppression in the supersonic and subsonic flow regimes is typical. To illustrate the differing sound suppression phenomena, summary data for six other silencers are presented below.
6.71.3 Suppression Rating Comparison - Subsonic 300 BLK vs. Supersonic .308
The sound suppression performance of seven silencers in both the supersonic and subsonic flow regimes are compared in Figure 7, below. The solid colors in the plot denote supersonic .308 performance, whereas the typical shaded patterns denote subsonic 300 BLK performance. As the PEW Science Suppression Rating is a universal sound signature metric based upon the response of the human inner ear, all metrics in this plot are comparable to each other, regardless of cartridge. The PEW Science Suppression Rating is the only sound signature metric that allows the comparison of human inner ear response to fast transients, across all suppressed weapon system platforms.
PEW Science has also developed an empirical relation to quantify the back pressure (flow restriction) of silencers. Omega Zones are intended to provide guidance to weapons developers, silencer designers, and end-users, with regard to flow restriction characteristics of different silencer designs. It is very important to note that silencers possessing a relatively high Ω can still provide functional use on weapon systems. Some weapon systems are more sensitive to Ω than others. Note that while the Ω metric is plotted on a linear scale in Figure 7, the parametric relationship is best viewed logarithmically in Research Supplement 6.40.
Figure 7. Suppression Rating Comparisons Of .30 Rifle Silencers Using PEW-SOFT 300 BLK Subsonic and .308 Supersonic Test Data
There is a significant amount of data presented in Figure 7, above. The reader is encouraged to observe the plot legend and notes, such that the data is viewed and interpreted in the appropriate context.
The Hyperion significantly outperforms the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold in both supersonic .308 suppression (Review 6.69) and subsonic 300 BLK suppression (Review 6.70). The Hyperion’s flow dynamics are characteristic of Omega Zone 7, whereas the flow dynamics of the Banish 30 Gold are characteristic of Omega Zone 6. Omega Zone delineation is presented in PEW Science Public Research Supplement 6.40.
As previously discussed, high suppression performance in both the supersonic and subsonic flow regimes is atypical for a rifle silencer. Often times, rifle silencers may excel in supersonic suppression performance, with a high flow rate, like the HUXWRX HX-QD 762 (Review 6.41) but suffer in the subsonic flow regime (Review 6.45). Other times, silencers may provide typical performance for their size in the subsonic flow regime, like the Energetic Armament VOX S (Review 6.38), but exhibit primitive design features that diminish supersonic suppression performance (Review 6.3). Yet another performance compromise is highlighted by silencers like the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold; a silencer that may perform well, on average, in both flow regimes, but does not exhibit high FRP suppression performance with short 300 BLK barrels; a performance trait that requires more advanced flow dynamics. The CGS Hyperion exhibits class-leading performance in both flow regimes, on average, and with regard to FRP. This performance is notable.
PEW Science Research Note 6: Although the peak sound pressure from the Hyperion on this platform is low, the performance differentials shown in Figure 7 are not only due to peak sound pressure, nor flow rate. Multiple waveform characteristics comprise a silencer’s holistic sound signature. PEW Science postulates that most readers and silencer users have never been presented with information indicating that silencers perform differently in different flow regimes, anecdotal experience notwithstanding. In addition to combustion duration, the time at which peak positive phase pressure is reached, its duration, and its impulse accumulation, are factors that may significantly influence the interpretation of a sound signature by the human ear, and possible hearing damage risk. These phenomena have been demonstrated previously in Section 3 of the OSS, Surefire, and CGS Hyperion K subsonic Sound Signature Reviews.
6.71.4 Review Summary: CGS Hyperion on a Q mini FIX 300 BLK with 8-in Barrel
When paired with the Q mini FIX 8” 300 BLK and fired with Discreet Ballistics 190gr Subsonic Target ammunition, the CGS Hyperion in the direct thread configuration achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 72.3 in PEW Science testing.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The CGS Hyperion is a full-size 30 caliber rifle silencer that possesses extreme sound signature suppression performance in all flow regimes. The silencer has no perceptible first round pop on several weapon systems and is significantly quieter than many rifle silencers shown in PEW Science Sound Signature Reviews, to date. The silencer weighs 15 ounces, making it one of the lighter full-size .30 silencer systems on the market.
The CGS Hyperion is able to significantly restrict gas flow. However, gross flow restriction is not the only mechanism by which the Hyperion excels in sound suppression across multiple flow regimes. In addition to immediate gas venting to an outer annulus and recombination through a forward so-called reducer array, the Hyperion technology includes progressive baffle geometry that takes advantage of flow field velocity gradients forward of the reducer. The holistic design of the Hyperion is a significantly advanced departure from many silencers on the current market.
Unlike several other rifle silencers, the performance of the Hyperion is not compromised across flow regimes; it exhibits class-leading performance on both supersonic and subsonic platforms, on average, and with regard to first round pop. This performance is notable.
The internal baffle geometry of the Hyperion is patented and present in all CGS rifle silencers, though it does possess key variations, dependent upon model. The blast chamber immediately vents flow into two primary directions; a main axial flow path and a coaxial outer flow path. The utilization of the coaxial chamber is unique, in that main axial flow is introduced into existing coaxial flow approximately halfway forward of the blast baffle. In addition to this secondary flow introduction, the coaxial chamber may be vented to atmosphere at the forward section of the silencer by using a vented end-cap. An optional vented end-cap significantly changes the functionality of the silencer. It is important to note that the vented flow with the vented end-cap originates both from the main axial bore and from the coaxial chamber.
The Hyperion is constructed of 3D printed titanium; continued research shows that the grain structure of DMLS produced titanium and other similarly produced alloy components can exhibit uniformity that is superior to that of traditionally produced alloy structures, which is the subject of continued research. Due to the gas flow path geometry which vents gas expediently to the outer annulus, coupled with the uniform construction and proprietary heat treat process, it is postulated that the Hyperion exhibits higher durability not typically characteristic of titanium silencers. Its system durability, along with its coating technology to reduce fouling, may be attractive to some users.
In this review, the CGS Hyperion performance metrics depend upon suppressing a subsonic intermediate rifle cartridge. While the sound signature of such cartridges can be suppressed to levels that may result in the desire of the shooter and bystanders to not wear hearing protection, PEW Science encourages the reader to remain vigilant with regard to all subsonic rifle cartridge suppression claims. The gas volume and combustion products created by firing a subsonic intermediate rifle cartridge such as 300 BLK are still significant; the measured pressure and impulse magnitudes, and their durations, illustrate this fact.
The hearing damage potential of subsonic rifle use is not insignificant. PEW Science encourages the reader to consider the Suppression Rating when deciding on an appropriate silencer and host weapon combination for their desired use.
