Plantronics uses 40mm drivers with a neutral frequency response, and they even include a response graph right on the side of the box. Granted, you wont always have the opportunity to try them on, it pays to look closely at PCWorld product reviews where our reviewers have done the wearing for you and have summarized how they feel, even after extended periods of time with them on. The pads are almost as nice. Every good headset manufacturer aspires for its products to be used by professional gamers around the globe. Of course, most people are just going to buy one of these. Each earcup is made of black plastic, with geometric, skeletal designs built around circular mounting points on the outer panels. Although expensive, the Astro A50 is dependable, providing decent sound over a quick 2.4GHz wireless connection. Astro A10 is $3.96 less expensive than an average headset ($43.95). 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. The slight microphone fuzziness is unfortunate, and the sculpted headphones sound is a bit too bright, with little low-end thunder to balance it out. Regardless of their low price, they are promised to perform at an MLG level. Honestly, youd be happy with either one of these. The answer is yes. The Poly RIG 500 Pro eSports Edition is definitely the better option, due to the better material and extremely convenient audio dial. has active noise cancellation (noise control) ASTRO Gaming A10. The weight is good and satisfying, and it feels like you could throw it around and not break it. The Astro A10 headset is inconsistent. For convenience, an automatic mute button is useful when you want to quickly block out any sound from your end. But looks can be deceiving sometimes, and thats just the case with the Astro A10 headset. But design also plays a big role in a headsets functionality, so we also look at how adjustable the band is, and how accessible the controls are. Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. Long wearing comfort and a great mic means that the A10 check all the important boxes for a pro. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life. More drivers may result in better sound quality. The A10 was designed to withstand serious abuse - featuring lightweight yet rugged construction with premium materials for a pressure-free fit that won't overheat your head. If you do prefer a material other than velour you can buy anti-sweat or abrasion-resistant covers for your headsets earcups, which will help them last a little longer. Help us by suggesting a value. 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. Leather and pleather (fake leather) look and feel luxurious. Using Dolby Atmos on the Xbox Series X, the RIG 500 Pro HX gave a decent sense of directionality, though the headsets general audio balance meant granular left-right panning didnt feel quite as accurate as it could be. 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. Comfort is actually so good that I forgot that headphone fatigue is a thing; Im not kidding. These microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass. A huge consideration here is how your headset fits on your head and ears. Well keep updating our chart below as we review more products and find even better headsets. Better for recording treble. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach are more comfortable and have a more neutral sound profile. This item: ASTRO Gaming A10 Wired Gaming Headset, Lightweight and Damage Resistant, ASTRO Audio, 3.5 mm Audio Jack, for Xbox Series X|S| One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac- Black/Green by ASTRO Gaming $42.70 Xbox Core Wireless Controller - Electric Volt by Xbox $54.99 You could decide this one totally on aesthetic and be happy either way. Highs are a bit gentler on the earsthough theres a nice bump in the area where footsteps often live, for players obsessed with those. When it comes to comfort, the more premium headsets tend to do better, so again it can be a matter of paying more to get more. Because no two gaming headsets are the same, the PCWorld team puts each product through a thorough testing protocol. The cable is designed to minimize tangling. Some of the models come with a free Dolby Atmos code right now too. Im an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and Im here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you dont need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years). The Astro are noticeably better built and have a less bass-heavy sound profile, which some users may prefer. Foam is the opposite in that itll keep your ears cool, but disintegrate quicker. Its unrealistic to expect quality design, build, and packaging out of a headset that is this affordable. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. We know you dont want to wade through the many options only to settle on one that doesnt live up to the hype. Please support me directly if you enjoy my work: https://xander51.medium.com/membership. ROG Fusion II 500 RZ04-02690100-R3U1 S450-XT S650-XT SCBT12 SDW 5015 SRS-XB33 Sennheiser Momentum Solo HD T450BT Tune 600BTNC Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 . If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. Gaming Review: Sennheiser GSP 302 Can a Non-Gaming Brand Compete? The RIG 400 also has a mute switch, since its mic doesnt flip up and down like the A10 mic. The cradle also has a built-in display so that you can tell which EQ profile you have selected, or whether you have Dolby or stereo modes switched on. Cloud Alpha is a chip off the old block in HyperXs Cloud series, combining comfort with impressive audio quality. The lack of setting controls might not appeal to audiophile tinkerers, but its ease-of-use, quick connectivity, and excellent spatial audio make it a gamers dream. However, if adjusting audio is your thing, I would suggest getting the Astro MixAmp as it has a lot more to offer for your sound quality experience. Its lightweight, 300-gram frame is easy to forget about while gaming. The drivers are similar in performance to the A40. Based in Australia, Dominic Bayley is a hardcore tech enthusiast. The earcups are easily rotatablesince this will ensure they move with your head as it moves. Im very relieved to say that the audio quality for the A10 on PS4 is equal to, if not better, than on PC. These generously padded cups sit tightly on your head but without squeezing your temples, so theyre perfect for long gaming stints where you can forget youre wearing them. They also have more bass and clear high notes. I tested out the mic while playing PUBG: Battlegrounds and squaded up with some friends to get their feedback on the quality. Tai nghe A10 c "Tinh chnh Chi game" vi ASTRO Audio, m bo bn nghe c tr chi v ng i r rng . You can hear the A10 HERE and the RIG 400 HERE. The unboxing experience for the Astro A10 headset is nothing to get excited about. This type of device allows you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise. For example, if a headset has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), well investigate how well the headset can isolate sound and block out noise. It's in the top 3 bestselling headsets and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Razer Kraken or Somic G951S . 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. Its Wednesday, and its time for the headphone showdown! Unlike some spatial audio support for headsets, Razers Synapse app gives you quite a lot of control, allowing you to personalize the directionality of the sound with easy-to-navigate dot diagrams. All this functionality could have been delivered in a stock standard design, but the Astro A30 is one of the best-looking pair of cans weve seen in a long time. They give me a great immersive experience and really added to the gameplay, making me feel a part of the action. 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. Best Malware Removal and Protection Software, Best Business Cloud Storage and File Sharing Providers, The Best Office Chairs for Working From Home. I give the edge to the Logitech G Pro X on PC, but keep in mind, that is without the MixAmp for the Astro A10. But Astros foam is thicker and their covering is more luxurious. Astro A10 is a popular option in the middle of the headsets price range. 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 For a sub-$100 headset, the A10 sounds so much better than other budget sets that I've used. Up to 70% off compared to new. It comes in a variety of models and variants, and some of them even include a free Dolby Atmos code right now. The device's battery life (when in use) as given by the manufacturer. If youre looking for a wired gaming headset for well under $100, the RIG 500 Pro HX is a decent choice, but there are appealing alternatives. The Astro A10 headset is inconsistent. RIG 500HC is a well-known and one of the cheapest options. That two budget headsets of this caliber exist today is shocking. I like both of these a lot, and I recommend both of them all the time. On top of that, it features THX Spatial Audio technology, which elevates your audio to a rich and satisfying surround sound experience. Today, the $49 Plantronics RIG 400 takes on the $59 Astro A10. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. This page is currently only available in English. The Astro A10 headset is inconsistent. The boom mic performs well, but with an unfortunate caveat. The memory foam earpads are pleasantly soft, covered with faux leather around the side panels and breathable fabric for the surface that presses against the ears and the sides of the head. The highest frequency at which device produces audio. I have to say, after my first impressions of the packaging and design, I didnt have high expectations for comfort. An indicator shows you when the device has low battery. Both of these headsets have shockingly good mics in this price rangebut Astros is better. 81 4.1 out of 5 Stars. The big underlying difference between these headsets is their price. To be fair, a lot of headsets have difficulty blocking out background audio, and the A10 isnt the worst Ive dealt with. The GameDAC also lets you switch between your PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S at the press of a buttonwhich saves you the hassle of buying separate headsets for your consoles. And even though youre getting more value for the money with the RIG, youre easily getting more than $10 of extra build quality with the Astro A10. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 headset is available from $79.99 / 69 / AU$129 and it is available now. 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. If you're looking for a wired gaming headset for well under $100, the RIG 500 Pro HX is a decent choice, but there are appealing alternatives. The RIG is better if you want neutral sound and dont mind the angular design. Help us by suggesting a value. 1 years more years under manufacturer's warranty. In marketing materials, manufacturers will often use terms like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and passive noise isolation, but these terms mean quite different things. What I mean is that the Logitech G Pro X provides superior packaging, build quality, and design. If you want modularitythe RIG is the better choice. Also, its nicer pads warm my ears up a bit more. It looks like a bog standard pair of Astro headphones. The packaging experience consists of sliding off the outside cover, and then right under in a flimsy plastic casing, sits the A10 headset. And if you buy the SE version on sale right now, you get a free Dolby Atmos code. Its quite easy to disassemble and pop back together, and everything has a satisfying click. Mercenaries mode is a special mode in Resident Evil 4 Remake that challenges players to survive and score as many points as they can against waves of enemies, with all sorts of ways to extend time, gain score multipliers, and more. It responds the way I expect cheaper studio headphones to respond. A big reason for this impression is the adjustable headband. Add to that easy-to-use controls, and you can see why the G935 is an excellent option for gamers on a budget. Ive been PCMags home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. Supports Dolby Digital? The RIG 400 has a slightly more airy sound as a resultbut if youre in a loud room, its isolation performance isnt that great. Note that they have made a newer versions like V2 audio or Gen2, this is about the original one But its extra girth makes it more noticeable. Privacy policy, 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 Me feel a part of the action right sides, creating a richer sound and dont mind the angular.... The mic while playing PUBG: Battlegrounds and squaded up with some friends get... 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