The Astro are noticeably better built and have a less bass-heavy sound profile, which some users may prefer. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. Like I said, even when explosions are going off, the higher frequencies will pick up and you can still hear cues like gunfire and footsteps. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high resolution audio. Travel bag is included? Astro also happens to be an industrial design firm, and it shows. Another great point about the audio is that I can accurately hear the bounce of a smoke or grenade in my vicinity. You cant detach the mic, but it will flip up to mute. This is in large part thanks to its stupidly light weight. Im very relieved to say that the audio quality for the A10 on PS4 is equal to, if not better, than on PC. Bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass. The ear cushions feature cloth for maximum comfort, backed with synthetic leather for the best acoustic performance. My A10 has developed a little creakiness over time in both of its ear cup joints, but I think thats just due to the plastic and the laws of physics, and not any particular weakness per se. Honestly, youd be happy with either one of these. Its a light and comfortable headset with a reasonable $69.99 price tag, but its audio performance could be a bit better. Better for recording treble. Three positions for earcup height might seem paltry when most gaming headsets offer a dozen click-stops or smooth sliding adjustments, but it isnt a problem thanks to the secondary band through which the wire connecting the two earcups runs. While previous Astro wireless gaming headsets have featured large chunky charging cradles, the A50s is quite compact so it takes up much less space on your desk. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps), which means it can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio or reducing interference from other devices. Not that long ago, you had to spend $100 to get the quality that both of these offer. Best Malware Removal and Protection Software, Best Business Cloud Storage and File Sharing Providers, The Best Office Chairs for Working From Home. Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 Aurvana Live SE B650-XT-CR Beast EP Beats Studio 3 Beats Studio3 Wireless The Beats Decade Collection . The highest frequency that the mic can pick up. The contrary is that they are lacking in other departments, such as design, build quality, and packaging. There was never a feedback issue or a problem with my voice being too loud or too quiet. WINNER: For my personal tastes, the RIG 400 has a more correct soundbut they both do exceptionally well for the price range. The audio drivers located in the A50s earcups deliver strongly through the mid-range so the A50s sound is warm and punchy in games and while listening to music. It retails for. Devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets. As well as sporting an exceptional microphone, the G Pro X is one of Logitechs best-looking headsets, its flat-black leatherette headband, metal forks, and pill-shaped earcups exude a retro aesthetic reminiscent of the golden era of 1940s broadcasting. For more. I've been using my Astro A10 (Ps4/Blue edition) for half of my college (3 years) and now the earpad fell and can't glue it back since it won't last very long, I feel it's time for me to change them for something new, so here are my final thoughts about them Impedance is the devices electrical resistance to the current being pushed through it. And if you buy the SE version on sale right now, you get a free Dolby Atmos code. All of the 400 series models are wired, all of them use non-detachable wires, and all of them are essentially the same aside from the colors/different headbands. Passive noise isolation tends to be better at blocking out higher-pitched sounds, whereas ANC is more effective at blocking out lower-pitched soundslike background noise and the sound of traffic. While the RIG 500 Pro HX is a simple, wired, stereo headset, it lets PC and Xbox gamers enjoy Dolby simulated surround. The lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power. It also sports a super compact design and cross-compatibility with consoles. Of course, we recommend getting a separate USB mic if youre serious about content creation, since its performance will probably be better than any headset mic. There is a lot more Astro could have done aesthetically with the Astro A10. The Plantronics RIG 500 Pro gaming headset is a member of their RIG 500 series - a series of basic directly wired gaming headphones with slightly different wiring attachments - this one has a standard 3.5 mm plug which carries all the headphone and microphone information - as such it is compatible with modern PCs, XBOX Ones, and PS4 machines. If the device supports Dolby Digital it can deliver up to six different audio channels (sides) for a much better sound quality. Scroll down to learn more about it. The cloth padding also has solid airflow and it never gets too hot inside each ear cup. The RIG 500 Pro HX looks and feels very much like the Plantronics RIG 500 Pro, with design elements informed by the series original concept as a modular headset line. Help us by suggesting a value. Add to that easy-to-use controls, and you can see why the G935 is an excellent option for gamers on a budget. The unboxing experience for the Astro A10 headset is nothing to get excited about. The drivers are similar in performance to the A40. Based in Australia, Dominic Bayley is a hardcore tech enthusiast. This design provides very natural and accurate sound. Has passive noise reduction? The opening acoustic guitar plucks in Yes Roundabout get a good amount of low-mid resonance and sound nicely full, while receiving plenty of higher frequency finesse to bring out the string texture (to the point of sounding slightly sibilant). For example, most wired headsets connect to your computer via a USB-C connection, but unlike many wireless units, some also have 3.5 mm audio jacks, so they tend to be compatible with a broader number of deviceslike smartphones, gaming consoles, and tablets. The microphone itself is a long capsule on a short, flexible, metal neck attached to a plastic arm that curves into a right angle. The RIG has a surprisingly balanced sound signature, with very gently emphasized bass and a smooth mid and high range response. Which is to say, they're both 3.5mm, wired gaming headsets. Although not physically that different from other mics, it benefits from Blue-branded software support in Logitechs G Hub app, including presets that make it sound convincingly like a desk microphone. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The device sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal which reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. An MLG calibur headset now that sounds like something worth trying out. The packaging experience consists of sliding off the outside cover, and then right under in a flimsy plastic casing, sits the A10 headset. Headsets with surround sound technologies tend to be expensive, so if theyre out of your price range dont worry too much. The piano and jazzy music in the Motherlobe and Lucktopus Casino, respectively, both sounded full and atmospheric, and Razs rolling levitation power got enough low-mid response to sound a bit weighty and bouncy. All pros considered, the Astro A10 is still an entry-level headset and has a few cons; except for the material covering the cups, its entirely made from plastic and the rather boxy earcups wont be to everyones taste. The mic is perfectly suitable for voice chat, but this might not be the headset to use if you want a really strong signal for streaming or recording. It fits into the mid-range price for a wired headset, and its closest competition would. Connected to my PS4 controller I find it gets in the way, but despite that, I appreicate the length for PC. RIG 500 PRO HC | COMPETITION GRADE GAMING HEADSET Features Hear more and react faster with precisely tuned 50 mm drivers delivering high-resolution audio The lightweight exoskeleton design covers the ear for stable, comfortable gameplay, so you can play longer with less distraction Supports Dolby Digital? The systems that the headset is compatible with, according to the manufacturer. Not only does the Logitech Astro A30 produce a clear and natural sound, but its connectivity is also excellent. The Astro A10 are the very base model in the series, and the build quality is reflective of the low price point (often available for sub USD$50). I always test every headphone I review in a moderately loud coffee shop for outside isolation, and in a quiet room where I record audio for leakage. RIG 500HC is a well-known and one of the cheapest options. The microphone will automatically mute itself when flipped up. The surround sound is very distinct in telling where footsteps are coming from. RIG 500 PRO HC 214450-01 ROG Delta ROG Delta S ROG Delta S Animate ROG Delta S EVA Edition . Because no two gaming headsets are the same, the PCWorld team puts each product through a thorough testing protocol. Thats because even a small amount of force or abrasion from wearing your headset can be extremely unpleasant and result in neck pain, rash, cranial pressure or worse. Most games use either in-game chat or external chat apps like Discord, so a decent microphone is a must-have. The RIG 500 Pro HX lacks any other controls. Note: This may vary by region. The battery can be recharged and used over again. They offer a superior wearing experience that causes no headphone fatigue. The earcups are completely separate from the black metal headband, clicking securely onto either side of the headband at one of three mounting holes. This page is currently only available in English. The device is designed in a way that allows sound to go out through the back of the ear cups, which usually have vents or perforations. While the headband is adjustable up to 4cm on both sides, adjusting the headphones is not a fluid motion and I often had to fight with them. Especificaciones tcnicas Respuesta de frecuencia: 20 - 20.000 Hz Distorsin: <3% a 1 kHz 104 dB +/- 3 dDB a 1 kHz Impedancia CC 32 ohmios Especificaciones fsicas Presin de diadema: 4,5 N Peso sin cable: 246 gramos Altura: 17.3 cm (control deslizante cerrado) Anchura: 18.3 cm Profundidad: 7.7 cm Recursos de producto RIG 500HC is a well-known and one of the cheapest options. Very durable cable and also quiet flexible, Decent for people with light glasses, use with sturdy ones might hurt after time, Volumen control wheel fails under 50%, will silent one side more than the other, A bit heavy, Will hurt after long periods of use, Gets kind of hot for the ears, Will make you sweat on long uses. But Astros foam is thicker and their covering is more luxurious. When the track properly kicks in, the guitar strums and cymbals stand out slightly in the mix, and the bassline's punchy attack comes through much more prominently than any low-end follow-through. Help us by suggesting a value. Its compatible with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Android devices, so you wont have to buy separate headsets for each of your devices. (ASTRO Gaming A10). Astro A10 Galaxy Buds Live Powerbeats3 Beats Fit Pro . An indicator shows you when the device has low battery. The lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass. The contrary is that they are lacking in other departments, such as design, build quality, and packaging. Better for recording bass. Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc. While you can possibly do without fancy styling, you should never buy a headset thats going to cause you discomfort. And I use the A10s when I want to feel the bass a bit more. Would recommend for casual gamers, not exceptional on music, will work better with programs like Dolby atmos or Windows Sonic for competitive gaming Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc. There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. While I appreciate the no-nonsense no-frills nature of the Astro A10right now, the RIG 400 offers you slightly more for your dollar in terms of stuff in the box. The MH752s dongle also adds 7.1 Surround capabilities producing multi-directional sound in games. Astro A10 Gaming Headset Gen 2 Astro A40 939-001512 Astro A40 TR Astro A40 TR X-Edition Astro A50 Astro Gaming A10 . The Astro A10 headset is inconsistent. I dont think the A10 is uncomfortable at all. Perhaps a bit too long for console gaming. If your PC has separate headphone and microphone ports, you must buy a 3.5mm splitter, or pay $10 extra for the RIG 500 Pro HA, a PC-oriented variant with a longer cable and included splitter. They succeed in the most important areas of mic quality, sound quality, and comfort. Although the A10 is more comfy than it should be with its tiny headband padthe RIG 400 is better to wear. RIG 500HC is $20.93 less expensive than an average headset ($40.88). Foam is the opposite in that itll keep your ears cool, but disintegrate quicker. Now it comes down to brass tacks for console usage, as neither headset has the advantage of an external audio interface. When covered under the manufacturers warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. RIG 500 PRO HC 214450-01 RZ04-02690100-R3U1 S450-XT S650-XT SDW 5015 Sennheiser Momentum Solo HD Studio 3 T450BT . To say the least, the sound retrieval is accurate and the audio cues are on point. A lower weight is also an advantage for home appliances, as it makes transportation easier, and for many other types of products. Since then, Astros are worn by esports professionals across many different games and leagues. Copyright 2023 IDG Communications, Inc. Lots of software options for personalization, Active Noise Cancellation won't block out all external sound, Fully removable cabling and smarter inline control placement, More expensive than the original Cloud, with fewer accessories, Narrow soundscape sometimes leads to muddy audio, Excellent audio through the bass, mid, and high tones, No boom mic means the mic audio suffers somewhat, Needs some EQ love to reach its full potential, Outperforms headsets two or three times the price, Fantastic microphone, with lots of software-side options, Leatherette in the cups can get sweaty on hot days, Charging cradle is smaller and still very unique, Switches to the more reliable 2.4GHz band (finally), Leatherette is a classy change from the G933's sports mesh, Hidden microphone and dongle storage are great features to have, One of the best-sounding headsets at this price, Still bulky and boxy compared to the competition, Decent audio quality, with deep bass and clear mids and highs, Highly comfortable earcups with memory foam cushioning and leatherette coverings, Metal headband attachments can sometimes trap your fingers. Leather and pleather (fake leather) look and feel luxurious. For gaming, the RIG 500 Pro HX sounds good when connected to my Xbox Series X through the Xbox Wireless Controller. You should also pay close attention to product descriptions for the features that indicate that a manufacturer has made comfort a priority. Its a piece of metal with a thick rubbery coating over the top of it. The battery is removable and can be replaced by the user if broken. Plantronics uses 40mm drivers with a neutral frequency response, and they even include a response graph right on the side of the box. It sports dual wireless and wired connections with cross-platform compatibility, so you can easily hook it up to your PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S consoles, or even a Mac. Here we look at design features that either add or subtract from your overall comfort experiencefeatures like a headsets shape and weight, how well it fits on your head, and the amount of padding in the earcups. For that, we recommend the Razer BlackShark V2 and its superior microphone. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. What may pose a problem for some is that unless you get an Astro MixAmp, there is no adjustability for the audio. The ear cushions feature cloth for maximum comfort, backed with synthetic leather for the best acoustic performance. The lowest frequency that the mic can pick up. See How We Test HeadphonesSee How We Test Headphones. It responds the way I expect cheaper studio headphones to respond. The Astro mic offers better overall performance, and their ear cups don't get as hot as the Turtle Beach. Long wearing comfort and a great mic means that the A10 check all the important boxes for a pro. For example you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Both of these headsets have shockingly good mics in this price rangebut Astros is better. 81 4.1 out of 5 Stars. Ive been PCMags home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. Audiophiles will prefer the RIG 400, and I think most gamers will prefer the A10, especially if theyre used to other headsets/headphones. His PCWorld focus is on PC gaming hardware: laptops, mice, headsets and keyboards. You have to nit pick very hard to find any flaws with this premium headset that offers the versatility of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, as well as a wired connection. I am surprised with the impressive sound quality of the Astro A10. With the RIG, I feel like I could blow on it and itd slide across the table. Key Specs Noise Canceling No No Adjustable Headband Yes Yes Detachable Microphone No No Noise Canceling Adjustable Headband We suggest looking out for features like noise cancellation and sound dampening for a better-quality sound experience. Still, if youre not picky, these things shouldnt bother you too much. Gaming Headset Showdown: Astro A10 vs Plantronics RIG 400 | by Alex Rowe | Medium 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. And the cable is detachable. For the last seven years, Astro has been the official headset for the Call of Duty World League. Astro A10 is $3.96 less expensive than an average headset ($43.95). The surround sound proves worthy to an MLG standard, as the headset had me covered in all directions. The answer is yes. The device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. PCMag PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life. (ASTRO Gaming A10), Unknown. The headset includes an activation code for two years of Dolby Atmos spatial audio processing through the Dolby Access app for Windows 10 and Xbox. These headsets strike the right balance between performance and value, no matter your budget. Please support me directly if you enjoy my work: https://xander51.medium.com/membership. Nacon is a fairly new name in gaming, especially on this side of the Atlantic. The USB Type-C features reversible plug orientation and cable direction. It looks almost exactly like every other headset Astro has made. Whenever there is an emphasis on the lows, you can tell the mids and highs match the sound level so they arent drowned out. The primary color on all models are a dull grey, and I dont feel it compliments the headset. They also have more bass and clear high notes. What I mean is that the Logitech G Pro X provides superior packaging, build quality, and design. While the design is reasonably polished, the A10 has no LED lighting and the color options arent anything to get excited over. The RIG 400 has a slightly more airy sound as a resultbut if youre in a loud room, its isolation performance isnt that great. Fortnite highlights the RIG 500 Pro HXs relative lack of deep bass response, with the games bombastic soundtrack, shotgun blasts, and clunking of feet on wood floors sounding more poppy than full and robust. (Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition). Check Price The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. The RIG 500 Pro HX is framed as an Xbox-specific headset, but its effectively identical to the multiplatform, portable-gaming-oriented RIG 500 Pro HC. 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