Best Gaming Headset: Astro Gaming A50
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The uncluttered headset has fantastic sound to immerse you in your game.
CREDIT: Astro Gaming |
Astro Gaming's headsets have a history of truly engulfing you in the audio of games, as well as other forms of entertainment, such as movies.
And the new A50 Wireless Headset, for game consoles and PCs, features some vast improvements. While the $300 price is a little steep (most models go for around $100-$150), you certainly get what you pay for considering the technology involved.
Why We Like It
The A50 Wireless Gaming Headset keeps all the comfort of its predecessor, the A40, going easily over the ears with an adjustable head strap, but the new design does away with a lot of the bothersome wires. Nearly everything comes built into the headset, including 5.8-GHz wireless technology (using what Astro calls KleerNet) that provides better audio than most models. It also features 7.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, perfect for those game experiences where you need to hear what’s happening all around you.
The A50 headset has three audio modes, and by simply pressing a button on the side of the ear cup you can switch to any one of the three. Media Mode features enhanced bass and pumped-up mid-range for movies and music. Core Mode has a more balanced sound across low-, mid- and high-range sounds, making it ideal for single-player gaming. Pro Mode provides lowered bass and enhanced highs for footstep and reload effects, as well as better chat options — a must for competitive gamers who play online sessions on Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network.
[Best In-Ear Headphones: Bowers & Wilkins C5]
The A50 headset also lets you adjust between in-game audio and voice chat with ease. And its built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 12 hours without interruption in quality — a huge feat compared with most headset batteries. The A50 is also sleekly designed in black with traces of red.
Keep in mind
If you own a previous Astro Gaming headset with the decorative “tags” that sit comfortably over the earpieces, you won’t be able to use them with the A50s. Astro Gaming had to forego the magnets that hold them in place so as not to interfere with the audio performance. But the headset looks awesome enough that you probably won’t mind.
Bottom Line
When it comes to video game headset technology, Astro Gaming’s A50 Wireless Headset sits firmly in the lead with excellent audio. While it isn’t cheap, it is jam-packed with excellent features that are incredibly user-friendly. Crank the volume and enjoy yourself.
Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Headset key specs:
- Price: $300
- Weight (without cable): 0.81 lbs.
- Design: Over-ear
- Connectors: 2.5mm XBOX Live chat port, mini-USB port
- Battery Life: 12 plus hours
- Inputs: Optical In, AUX In (3.5mm)
- Outputs: Optical pass-through, USB power & voice, USB charging port
