Choosing the best headset gaming is very crucial for the overall gaming experience. Good choices of gaming headsets will give the actual mood of each cut scene of the game. You should check out two of my favorite high-quality gaming headset Astro A40 vs A50.
What are the primary things in the game? The emotion, the tension of the characters’ dialogues, terrifying jump scares, the atmosphere of the dystopian surrounding, the footsteps of the enemy in the first-person shooter game, and last but not least. The intensity of the memorable hopeless final boss fight of the game that the game director wants to feel to the whole gaming audience.
If you’re looking for a high-quality wireless headset with superior sound and don’t mind paying a premium price, the Astro A50 is a perfect choice. But, if you’re looking for a wired headset with good sound quality, the Astro A40 is just a little behind in performance and comes at a much lower price.
My pick: is Astro A50, as I wouldn’t say I like wires and would gladly sacrifice the mic not being detachable (I wouldn’t be using it anyway). So I’d get the A50 over the A40.
Key Differences of Astro A50 & Astro A40:
Here are some key differences:
- Astro A40 is a wired headset, while the Astro A50 is entirely wireless
- Astro A50 is twice as expensive compared to the Astro A40
- Astro A40’s microphone is detachable, while the Astro A50’s is fixed
- Astro A50 has a Bluetooth feature, while the Astro A40 has none
- Astro A40 has more swappable components (Mod Kits) compared to the Astro A50
- Astro A50 comes with a base station, while the Astro A40 is stand-alone or can come with a MixAmp Pro TR.
- The A40 has a balanced gaming sound and a great acoustic sound
- The Astro A50 has a superior bass sound quality, whereas the Astro A40 lacks some of those basses
Significant Differences between Astro A50 & Astro A40
Controls
The Astro A40 has an external versatile Mixamp Pro, which features digital Dolby surround sound so you can manipulate the overall sounds using the mix amp. In contrast, the Astro A50 has a built-in mix amplifier on the headset. The free Astro command center program allows gamers to customize their audio experience fully.
It has a free Astro Command Center Software that is super easy to control and user-friendly that even casual gamers can learn quickly to instantly mute or unmute the headset and change the level of decibel and frequency of the sounds. As for the buttons function, they have almost the same features as volume control and channel mixer.
Microphone Comparison
The Astro A40 has a removable microphone, while the Astro A50 has a fixed, not detachable microphone. The sound of the A40 is brighter, sharper, and more precise than A50. It would help if you spoke loudly to properly hear your voice in A40 since it has a volume issue, while the benefit is the removal of all unnecessary background noises in your surroundings.
The microphone on a gaming headset
Astro A40 also has a detachable and replaceable microphone that can change any position at any time. On the other hand, A50 is way flatter than the A40, voice isolating, and the frequency of the A50 will be automatically reduced once I start speaking in the mic. It has also had a quirky flip-to-mute feature.
Wireless Feature
Since it’s wireless, wearing A50 is more convenient than Astro A40. It’s straightforward to move around a lot in your house since each move is not limited to the length of the headset wire. It has a wireless range of 49 ft with a frequency of 2.4GHz, so you can easily enjoy listening to your favorite music artist in the kitchen or bathroom while waiting for your other squad to join your game lobby.
Battery life
It has a battery life of approximately 15 hours when it’s fully charged and has a battery type of lithium polymer, single cell. It will automatically turn off after thirty minutes of being idle or inactive. Instead of Bluetooth technology, this wireless A50 uses Radio Frequency signals for a broader range of signals up to 30 yards.
The downside of being wireless is that it has more issues than the A40 wired headset, including unsynchronized audio, randomly disconnecting on the devices, and inability to connect wifi.
Compatibility
Both A50 and A40 are compatible with most gaming platforms and personal computers like Windows 10, 7, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X, and Xbox 360.
Using a headset while playing PlayStation
Before using the headset, you must install the drivers for the A50 and A40. The installation process is straightforward and fast. Because the A50 uses different technology than the A40 (RF Signals), it has extra features with Windows 10, Mac, etc.
Comfortability
In terms of comfortability, the Astro A50 has the upper hand since it’s wireless it’s effortless to lean your back while in-game. The Astro A40 is slightly lighter than the Astro A50; its ear padding is comfortable, and you can rotate and tilt. There’s no discomfort in wearing these two gaming headsets. Both headsets are over-ear pairs with padded cushions.
They are so comfortable that you won’t experience any irritation even after long hours of gaming. It is designed and built specifically for extended gaming sessions. For further comfort, pads and cushions are available for purchase separately.
Design
In terms of looks, they are almost identical; they have the same gaming look and vibe design. They also look like a headset in a recording studio and a headset that a famous DJ will wear at a music festival.
They have soft fabric ear cups, interchangeable pivoting ear cups, and large pads to prevent unnecessary noise from distracting you while in a game. You can also replace the headband part and customize it by your preference since they have both mod kits (sold separately).
Note: The A50 headset has a charging dock, so no more plugging in any outlet of your house.
Materials
The A50 and A40 have a combination of metal, plastics, and artificial leather material, so you can be guaranteed that these two are solid and durable, especially on the adjustment system since it consists of stainless steel metal, so any constant adjustment or bend will not break.
Design and build
The Astro A40 is a wired gaming audio headpiece with swappable components. The microphone, headband, speaker tags, and ear cushions are all swappable when you purchase a Mod Kit that contains those accessories. The Astro A40’s dimensions are 8 inches in length, 7.75 inches wide, and 3.75 inches in height. It weighs 0.80 lbs.
The Astro A50 consumes power through a rechargeable, lithium-ion, single-cell battery. It has a standby battery life of 20 months, and its active battery life is 15 hours. The Astro A50’s base station charges through USB Micro-B.
The Astro A50 weighs slightly heavier at 0.83 lbs, but like the Astro A40, the weight does not affect wearability and comfort. The base station measures 8.5 inches in length, 4.25 inches in width, and 1.15 inches in height and weighs 0.70 lbs.
Sound Quality
The A40 and A50 both use the Astro Audio V2 for top-of-the-line acoustics. It is a collaborative effort with Pro Gamers to deliver more balanced music and in-game sounds. It helps eliminate background noise and amplify the voice and in-game sounds for immersive gaming performance.
The advantage of the Astro A50 is that it uses a Dolby audio system with a game voice balance. The unit comes with a free Dolby Atmos activation code for the Xbox version for a more immersive sound experience.
Pricing
Since the Astro A50 has a wireless feature, it is more expensive than the wired A40. So if you have more budget, the added feature is worth the price.
You can also upgrade the headset to the fullest by buying mod kits that enhance the noise-canceling features of the product, speaker tags,noise-isolating mic, and padded headbands.
Price
Imp Note: The Astro A40 costs $149.99, while the MixAmp Pro TR is sold separately and costs $129.99. The additional Mod Kit for the Astro A40 costs $59.99. The Astro A50 will cost higher at $288.60 and already comes with the base station. Want an additional base station? You can get one for $99.99. The Mod Kit for the Astro A50 costs $39.99.
These prices are based on the Astro website and may change over time. Prices may also vary in other independent stores.
Key features
The Astro A50 wireless headset allows freedom of movement while gaming. It has a wireless range of 49 feet, so there’s no problem if you need to stand up and stretch after long hours of sitting. You will be aware of what’s happening during the game because you can still hear and communicate even when away from the console.
The Astro A40 wired headset is best for marathon gaming. Unlike the Astro A50, you don’t need to worry about the headset’s battery life because it’s wired. It has a swappable boom microphone, which means you can switch the mic’s position from left to right, whichever is more comfortable.
Here’s a rundown of the winner by comparison:
- Weight and balance: Astro A40 (by a tiny margin)
- Comfort: It’s a tie
- Design and build: Astro A50
- Sound quality: Astro A50 (open-air transducer principle)
- Mic quality: Astro A50 (because of the voice isolating feature)
- Portability and mobility: Astro A50
- Price: Astro A50 (more expensive but worth every cent).
Guide Headphones Over-ear:
- Beoplay H95
- Beoplay H9i
- Astro A40
- Beoplay E8
- Beyerdynamic DT990
- Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 600
- AKG K240 Studio
- AKG K240 MKII
- AKG 701
- AKG K872
- Grado SR60e
Similarities and differences between Astro A50 vs Astro A40
Similarities
- The A50 and A40 feel super comfy and convenient even after several hours.
- Both gaming headphones have the virtual surround sound feature.
- All-round compatibility is common to both headsets. They work well with your PC and video game consoles.
- Both gaming headphones have a similar weight, with just 3 grams between them.
Differences
- The A50 is a wireless gaming headset, while A40 is wired.
- While A50 connects to your PC and console using the base station, the A40 uses the mix amp.
- The A50 has a better surround sound experience than the A40.
- The A40’s bass is punchier and packs more energy compared to A50.
Pros and cons of Astro A50 & Astro A40
Astro A50
- Long battery life. It can last the whole day.
- Impressive surround sound production.
- Zero delays in audio from the console or PC to the headphones – gives you a seamless gaming experience.
- You can not use the base station with other headphones.
- Slightly reduced bass may reduce the thrilling effect of explosions and gunshots in action games.
Astro A40
- Super comfortable design – you can wear them for several hours without inconvenience.
- Removable ear pads enable you to use these headphones for many years.
- It has more energetic bass production, giving more power to game explosions and gunshots.
- You lose some bass when you enable surround sound.
- It has multiple detachable parts – earpads, earcup covers, and a mic. These parts could get missing.
Which Is Better: Astro A40 Or Astro A50?
In summary, if you’re looking for a high-quality wireless headset with superior sound and don’t mind paying a premium price, the Astro A50 is a perfect choice. But, if you’re looking for a wired headset with good sound quality, the Astro A40 is just a little behind in performance and comes at a much lower price.
What’s inside the Mod Kit?
The A40 Mod Kit is pricier because it contains more pieces. The box includes the following:
- A padded headband.
- Closed-back speaker tags.
- A voice-isolating microphone.
- Noise-canceling ear cushions.
It comes in green, blue, and red and has a special Call of Duty design.
The A50 Mod Kit contains noise-canceling ear cushions and a padded headband made of synthetic leather for style and comfort. It is only compatible with the A50 Gen 4.
Is the A50 worth it?
The Astro A50 Wireless is an expensive gaming headset, but is it worth it? The Astro A50 Wireless offers the bells and whistles you’d expect of a premium gaming headset, but it flubs basics like a mic and builds quality. For $300, you should get something a little more durable.
How long does the A50 last?
Whether it’s a busy day or a big event, the Galaxy A50’s all-day battery lasts up to 35 hours. And if you need a boost, get up and running quickly with Fast Charge.
Is the Astro A40 worth it?
The Astro A40 TR is a solid option for a gaming headset that delivers good sound quality and comfort. This unique semi-open design and the 3.5mm connector makes it very versatile for any device that supports a traditional headphone jack.
Is Astro A40 good for movies?
I’ve used numerous headsets over the years, and as far as audio quality is concerned, the Astro A40 TR is up there with the best. It doesn’t matter whether it’s music, movies, or games; the headset delivers a standout performance every time.
Related Article: Astro A40 Low Volume | How to Make Astro A40 Louder?
Final Thoughts
Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. If you have more budget, love the wireless feature, are a casual gamer, and want to kill time and boredom with your family or friends, choose the Astro A50 gaming headset since it’s more comfortable. It has an excellent 15 hours battery life, a User-Friendly built-in design, and is very easy to administer.
But if you have a tight budget, are a more hardcore gamer that plays videogame much longer than the average gamer, and don’t want the interruption of charging the headset, then the Astro A40 is the best suit for you.
Even though the A50 is wireless and the A40 is wired, these headphones have a lot of similarities. It’s consistent with the Astro brand. However, my preferred choice here would be the Astro A50.