Posted Thu Oct 27, 2016 at 06:10 AM PDT by Brian Hoss
Looking for a new wireless headset?
Earlier this year, ASTRO Gaming announced a new version of their Wireless A50 headset. (See impressions here.) The new A50 comes with a built-in MixAmp, a magnetic charging base-station, advanced settings via PC software, and is compatible with the new ASTRO A50 Mod Kit.
The new A50 comes in a PlayStation/PC version and a Xbox/PC version, which means that either version will get the user wireless USB-based PC compatibility. On the Xbox side, this is the first time that ASTRO Gaming has a fully wireless (no chat cable) solution.
I personally think that the combination 5GHz transmitter and charging cradle is an awesome place to keep and showcase the headset when not in use. It will keep the headset charged and ready to go while keeping it out of the way of pets and other people. ASTRO is promising a 15 hour battery life, but of course, in a marathon the headset should still keep going via a micro USB cable to the headset.
The New A50 uses Dolby 7.1 Headphone Surround Sound, which can be toggled on and off via controls on the headset. (This is a smart option for sure.)
Below is a shot of the special A50 Leather mod kit, which greatly increases the A50's passive noise-cancelling. Unlike previous models of the A50, the ear cushions couldn't be easier to remove and put back on.
Here, according to ASTRO Gaming, are all of the features of the new headsets:
ASTRO Audio – Tuned for gaming by ASTRO’s team of gaming audio experts, ASTRO Audio delivers accurate audiophile-grade performance no matter the source.
ASTRO Comfort and Quality – Engineered for extended gaming sessions, the ASTRO A50 is not only comfortable, but also durable, lightweight, and easily adjustable.
Dolby® Headphone 7.1 Surround Sound – Get the drop on opponents with stunning 7.1 channel surround sound thanks to pinpoint spatial accuracy. Also provides an expansive digital audio experience from Dolby®-encoded movies, TV, and music content.
Precision Boom Mic – A highly precise, noise-cancelling boom mic that’s optimized for Xbox One™, PlayStation® 4, PC, Mac®, and other voice communication. Flip-Up Mute functionality mutes voice output and conveniently stows the microphone when not in use.
Battery Life and Auto Power – Play for extended periods with more than 15 hours of battery life. The new Auto On/Off conserves battery life when not in use and awakes from Sleep Mode once the unit is picked up.
Powerful ASTRO Command Center Software – Adjust Noise Gate, Side Tone, and Mic Levels for crystal clear communication. Alter game volume, chat audio, mic, and AUX channels individually to generate custom audio mixes for streaming output. Future A50 Headset and Base Station firmware updates will also be accessible via the ASTRO Command Center software.
Low-Latency 5GHz Wireless – The ASTRO A50 features 5GHz technology that provides secure wireless connectivity between the A50 Headset and ASTRO Base Station Transmitter. This helps eliminate interference from other wireless devices and keeps audio output in-sync with video sources. ASTRO Base Station Transmitter – The stylish new ASTRO Base Station features magnetic charging contacts for simple docking and charging. The ASTRO Base Station also provides automatic headset pairing and indication of battery status, and Dolby® Surround On/Off. Connectivity includes TOSLink (optical) pass-through, AUX input/output and USB for power and streaming on PC.
Built-In MixAmp™ – Take complete control of your audio with ASTRO’s integrated MixAmp™ technology. ASTRO’s MixAmp allows adjustment of audio levels such as Master Volume and Game:Voice Balancing for the optimal mix.
Custom EQ Modes – Three EQ modes presets are available. These include ASTRO (tuned with precise bass for general gaming), PRO (tuned for precise mid and high detail for streaming and pro gaming) and STUDIO (neutral for accuracy and best for movies and music). Users can create, customize, save, and share EQ profiles using ASTRO Command Center Software to suit any listening experience or environment.
ASTRO A50 Mod Kit Compatible – Transform your ASTRO A50 Headset with the optional ASTRO A50 Mod Kit for improved comfort, style, and noise isolation. The A50 Mod Kit includes a synthetic leather headband and leather ear cushions that can be conveniently swapped with the original cushions and provide additional noise-cancellation and comfort.
The new A50s are being sold through Amazon among others, but those ready to buy may need to look directly to ASTRO Gaming during the busy launch. (See here.) The A50 Wireless Headset + Base Station goes for $300, while the A50 Mod Kit goes for $40.
Source: ASTRO Gaming
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