This is still the same great A50 audioThe A50 has been Astro's flagship device for several years now. Astro prides itself on putting audio first, and the A50 has always had exceptional 7.1 Dolby Digital audio quality and all-around design. The new A50 still has the built-in MixAmp that makes balancing game and chat audio incredibly easy. Balance is still handled on a rocker switch on the right ear cup. The mic still automatically mutes when you flip it up. The new A50 is keeping the design that works and improving the parts that need it.
The charging base station fixes the biggest problem with wireless headsetsIt’s always been the age old issue with wireless headsets. You finish up a long gaming session while using the wireless headset, and you just want to go to bed.
Who has time to find a mini or micro USB cable that’s plugged into a power source, then try to plug it in a find that you’re trying to plug it in upside down. So you didn’t bother plugging it in, and then the headset is near death the next time you try to use it. In the words of noted tech fan Jerry Smith from Rick and Morty, “It’s a hassle. Who needs that?”The A50 comes with a charging base station that allows for completely wireless charging. Just set it down on the base station when you’re done and it will be completely charged the next time you use it. The headset still has a micro-USB port in case you absolutely need some juice while you’re wearing it, or if you’d rather fiddle with wires.The new A50 should last through any gaming session as long as you’re using the base station between uses. The new battery boasts about 15 hours of life, which as improvement compared to last year’s which only gave about 10-to-12.The base station pulls double duty as it also acts as the wireless transmitter.
This brings Astro up to speed with competitors like Turtle Beach, whose Elite 800 headsets also have wireless charging.The mic has been improvedMy gaming compatriots notice every time I’m wearing my current A50 when I jump into party chat. That’s not a good thing. The current A50’s mic is just not good. It captures low-quality voice sound that sounds tinny and flat.
Fortunately, that’s one of the improvements in the remodeled version.The New A50 has a fully improved boom mic that may be ready for solid Twitch streams and voiceover capabilities. I look forward to testing that out in the final product, but the fact that it’s improved is a step in the right direction for the headset. Astro seems to know what could be improved on the current A50, and sought out to fix it.Astro Command Center gives the freedom of preferenceThe sound within the current Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro can be fully customized with the Astro Command Center software. EQ settings can be tweaked, input and outputs can be balanced and even microphone monitoring can be adjusted. The new Astro A50 has the same benefits.Mic monitoring or sidetone (when you’re own voice can be heard through your headset) is a feature that previous builds of Astro headsets flip flopped over.
Astros from a few years ago had it, and then last year’s models didn’t. It’s really just a matter of preference. I personally prefer hearing my own voice through the headset so I know I’m not shouting and waking up the whole house. The Command Center software lets users make the changes they want.
If they don’t want to hear their own voice, they can turn it off with the software. The same goes for the opposite.Mod Kits solve the ambient sound problem of previous Astro modelsAmbient noise is a problem that fans have just gotten used to with Astro headsets. Astro’s ear cups have always let in far too much ambient sound, which takes away from the quality of the sound being pumped through the headset. The updated A50 fixes that problem with Mod Kits.Mod Kits are separately sold kits that allow users to further customize their devices by swapping out the cup padding and even the padding that rests on top of your head. While the default padding is soft cloth, mod kits come with leather cups.
The leather drowns out far more ambient noise than its cloth counterpart.To be honest, when you’re spending $300 on a headset, that headset should already come with leather padding. At least you have the ability to swap them out this time around. Mod Kits also make for some cool color customization opportunities as well.It’s not cross-platformThis is the biggest issue concerning the new A50. There isn’t one SKU that fully works with PS4, Xbox One and PC. The new Astro A50 comes in two models: A Xbox One/PC version and a PS4/PC version. If you own both consoles, you’ll have to make the platform choice before buying.This isn’t entirely dissimilar to last year’s A50 situation.
There was also an Xbox version and a PS4 version, but the Xbox version also worked with the PS4. The Xbox version of last year’s A50 came with a chat cable that ran from an Xbox One controller to the headset. The only difference in packages is that the PS4 version didn’t come with that chat cable.
The new A50 goes completely wireless. There is no need for that chat cable since the Xbox version handles chat and game audio wirelessly. Unfortunately, that means it doesn’t work with the PS4. The same goes for the PS4 version. It won’t work with the Xbox One.You’ll still be able to get game audio from either console through either version of the headset, but chat audio will be specific to the SKU.Each version of the headset has a switch on the base station that users can switch from console to PC.
Not having to worry about any wires is nice, but if I spend $300 on a quality gaming headset, I’d like to see it work with every platform that’s out there.So that’s the entire scoop on the much improved Astro A50. The headset is due to hit shelves in august of this year and still costs $300. Hopefully, I’ll be able to put it through various tests and get a full review out there. What do you think of the changes? Sound off in the comments below.
Pre-OrderQ: When will my order ship?A: Non-pre-orders ship within 48 business hours from the time the orders is placed (as long as it is in stock). Pre-order items will ship as soon as they are in-stock. Where you see a product listed for pre-order, we also state an expected in-stock date. Shipping dates will vary by product. Upon shipment you will receive a shipping confirmation email including shipment tracking information.Orders containing both pre-ordered and in-stock merchandise will be shipped separately in an effort to deliver your product as quickly as possible. You will not be charged for multiple shipments.
Astro A50 Keeps Cutting Out
Multiple shipping confirmation emails will be sent for purchases with in-stock and pre-ordered items.Q: When will I be charged?A: Your credit card may be charged one or two business days before your product ships. Please note that you will see an authorization charge (for the amount of your order total) on your credit card statement from the time of purchase until your order ships. If your order contains both pre-ordered and in-stock merchandise, you will see multiple settlements – each charge to represent the cost of the shipped merchandise. If you placed your order through Paypal, you will be charged immediately upon purchase.Q: Can I cancel my pre-order?A: Yes, you can cancel your pre-order by contacting our customer service team. Please have your order number ready for fastest service. You can find our customer service contact information.A50 WirelessQ: What is included with the new A50 Wireless system?A:– 1.0M TOSLINK OPTICAL CABLEProvides clear Dolby Digital Surround Sound across all platforms.– 1.0M USB CABLEPowers your Base Station– Base StationPairs and charges your A50 Wireless Headset.