One of the many perks of this job is getting to review lots of different pieces of hardware alongside all the games we cover day in and day out. Recently peripheral maker Astro sent us a pair of their Astro A40 headphones to review… and boy are we glad they did. Read on for the pros, cons, and final verdict on this headset.
I’ve long been in favor of my Logitech G930 wireless headset, but the problem with it is that it’s only compatible with the PC, and it loses connection randomly. It’s a wonderful piece of hardware and comfortable. But I’ve long wanted something that also works with my PS4 (or PS3, Xbox 360, or Xbox One) and that’s the A40. Along with its cross-platform capabilities, it comes with the Mixamp base, a removable and adjustable microphone, and Dolby Digital 7.1 Oh, and it’s got fully customizable tags for the over-ear cups, as witnessed by the dorky picture of me below.
)
If you want the cross-platform version, they’re going to run you upwards of $250, so it’s best remembering that these aren’t just for folks who want to use headphones on occasion. They’re meant for gamers who use headphones almost exclusively and across all platforms. Considering my own desk with PC, PS4, and TV are in the same room where my toddler watches Disney Junior. These cans are ideal. If there’s one main downside, it’s that they’re still wired. For those looking for wireless headphones, the A40s come in a wireless version, but you’d probably be better off with the A50s at that point (see the official site).
The Mixamp base gives you full control of whether or not you want Dolby on, the balance, muting your mic, and changing volume with a handy dial. For my setup, I plugged the base into the PS4, and used the motherboard’s 3.5mm connector on my PC. This way it was easy to quickly swap between the two. If you’re using the A40 on a console, it quickly becomes apparent why the headset costs $250… the sound is nigh incomparable. The bass and lows are booming but not overwhelming, while the mids and highs are crisp and clear. Bloodborne on these suckers was intense. I often use them on my PC to audio-check MMOFTW, and with these badboys I can easily tell when there’s some background noise that needs toning down with Adobe Premiere.
)
Comfort-wise the A40 is second only to the Logitech G930s that I’ve grown so fond of. They’re light, but not quite as light as the G930s, but they don’t cramp your head or rest too tight on the ears. I could easily wear them for hours at a time. My only real complaint is the wire as it gets in the way. I’m not going to lie, these were given to us free of charge to review, but if I were buying them I’d toss the extra $50 in for the wireless A50s. Still, if you’re looking for pro-quality headsets there’s a reason why the MLG and other pro gaming organizations stick with the Astro A40s. They’re the most reliable and durable cans I’ve ever had the pleaser of using.
If you’re in the market for an all-in-one headset that will work with all of your devices? This is the one you want to shell out for. It’s pricey, but worth every penny. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go save for the A50s.
