Astro A50 Gen 5 wireless headset review — Amongst the stars

The Astro A50 is an iconic design for a gaming headset. It’s recognizable, and has been a huge player in the esports scene which has led to even greater acclaim. When you think Astro, you think of the best. That’s somewhat been my way of thinking, as I’ve sold plenty when working at GameStop and even reviewed a few here (I liked the earbuds but was lukewarm on the A20s). With a refresh hitting the A50 version, it’s time to dive in again and give you an opinion on if Astro is back on their business.

In the hefty box you’ll find the Astro A50 wireless headset, the base station/dock, a USB-A to C connection cable and USB-C to C power cable, along with an AC adapter block. The block also has several plug heads, so if you live in a country with different outlets, this will work for you. There’s also a Dolby Atmos activation card, a nice bonus for those who love Dolby’s precision tuning.

The Astro A50 has a design that’s not only iconic, but stylish as well. I love the clean metal poles the ear cups are attached to, and the white plastic just looks fantastic. There’s a “gamer aesthetic” Astro’s headsets have that simply feel more professional than others. On the right ear cup you’ll find the controls, with the power button, switcher button, and Bluetooth button over the volume scroller that’s right at the back bottom corner. You’ll find a game/chat mixer button on the outside of the right ear cup as well, hidden in plain sight. Also a bonus, I really like the choice to make the power button a slider, allowing you to know your headset is on just by the position of said button.

As for the base station/dock, it’s also quite nice. There are a few indicator lights on it to let you know what system is currently the active one, if your Bluetooth is on, and your power level. The contact points on it are magnetic, so when you pop the headset on it to charge, it stays in place. My only caveat with it is it does require a power connection beyond the USB connection to your PC or console. While you can forgo the AC block and connect to either for power, you’re still having to run two USB cables to your device, which especially for a console takes up space you might not have available.

While I initially wasn’t a fan of the fit, after some wear I’ve adjusted to the A50s. The headset has cloth earmuffs, and a little cushion built into the headband. I was worried this might get hot, but it breathes well enough to keep you cool during long gaming sessions. The over-ear nature of them also is comfortable, even for someone with bigger ears like mine. If you’re wearing glasses, the fit isn’t too tight, allowing you to keep them on as you play. Overall, there’s a lot to like as far as the comfort level goes, feeling just right in terms of weight.

Usually I don’t discuss microphones so early in a review, but this one is outstanding. The A50s sport a 48 kHZ High-res microphone, and they sound crisp. My teammates felt like it was nearly as good as my Elgato Wave 3 streaming mic, which is high praise. Between that, being nice and bendy to push it where you like, and having flip to mute functionality (my favorite style of mute), this is a stellar mic. I see why esports pros like them so much.

Connecting your Astro A50 headset to a device is simple. You just plug a USB-C cable from your console or PC into the designated port after plugging in the power cable. The dock is made so that you can plug it into multiple systems, including the Switch. The only issue here is that you’ll have to have everything close by; if you’re like me and have your consoles away from your PC, you’ll be lugging the dock back and forth.

I both like and am annoyed by the Bluetooth capability. It works extremely well, and even better, it’s simultaneous, so you can answer a call or listen to music off your phone while you’re gaming. The problem with it is the required connectivity with the dock. If you want the Bluetooth connection, the dock has to be on. That means the Bluetooth is essentially useless outside of the house, which is where I’d have liked to use it. Given how good the sound of the headset is, it’s a missed opportunity.

Speaking of how great the headset sounds, this is one of my top contenders for quality. Seriously, the only one I can think of that is better is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. The audio is phenomenal, with the Pro-G Graphene drivers putting in the work for some incredibly quality sound. I always talk about detailed sound in reviews, how the best headsets don’t mistake volume for great audio. Listening closely as I play different games, I hear the sound cues on the Warzone map that tell me an operator is parachuting in from my west, I hear each raindrop as it cascades down in Returnal, I hear the wind through the trees in GreedFall II. It’s truly stupendous, making the A50s both a sensational choice for competitive play, but also worth using for its immersive qualities.

Music is one of my favorite things to use new headsets with, but only a few have made me feel like I’m hearing certain songs for the first time. The Astro A50s have accomplished this. I was surprised listening to my barometer, Composure by August Burns Red, and digesting all of the different instruments with clarity. Unlocking that emotion is the mark of an outstanding headset, versatile in many ways.

Its versatility also makes an appearance in the Logitech G-Hub app. This works two ways, on mobile and on PC. You’ll need the mobile one when you use the A50s with your gaming consoles, but it largely retains the capabilities of the PC version. Those being switching your headset, adjusting the mic, or changing your EQ setting. Where the PC version differs is the availability of the entire Logitech community and crafting your profiles.

The community feature is one of the coolest I’ve seen. I constantly ask for better EQ for gaming headsets, and while Logitech doesn’t have many options straight from them, you can go through and download community crafted presets that match the game or genre you’re looking for. It’s an awesome idea that works really well. From here you can load them into profiles, which can then be stored for use on console.

Here in the last paragraph we’ve got to go over battery life, and yet again, I find myself without much to say. Logitech advertises twenty-four hours, which could be considered on the low end compared to some headsets. That said, the presence of the charging dock encourages you to drop it there after use, so I have yet to require an immediate recharge.

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