Over the last 10 years, the Astro A50 series has been a staple in the realm of high-end wireless gaming headsets. The latest iteration in this iconic line—the Astro A50 X—brings a significant update.
Priced at $380, it boasts a groundbreaking feature: it can simultaneously connect to both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, making it an attractive option for gamers who own both systems. It also features Bluetooth connectivity and customizable sound that lets you hear every detail while gaming.
This gaming headset is undeniably expensive, but it breathes a whole new level of life into games that I’ve never experienced until now.
Logitech Astro A50 X
Boasting excellent audio, simultaneous PlayStation and Xbox connectivity, and Logitech’s comfortable yet stylish design, the Astro A50 X headset is a pricey but tremendous option for gamers.
Design: A Familiar Yet Sturdy Aesthetic
The design of the A50 X closely resembles its predecessor, the A50, with the headset and cradle maintaining a similar aesthetic. Whether in black or white, the Astro-style earcups attached to the suspended metal poles make the A50 X instantly recognizable. Although the design hasn’t changed much, the build quality is commendable.
The earpads are the same as the A50 headset: magnetic, cloth material, yet fully breathable. This results in a lot of sound coming into the earpads, but also a reasonable amount coming out. And if you want to swap them out for alternative earpads, you’re able to. But they are incredibly cozy, which also extends to the headband. Covered in the same plush material, you can easily wear the A50 X for long periods without feeling uncomfortable.
Being fully adjustable, you’re able to grab the headset, twist it, and bend it. I don’t know how it does it, but this thing is solid. Aside from being less fragile than some other gaming headsets, the A50 X is a great companion for glasses-wearers. The adjustability means less pressure around your temples, allowing you to flex the headset to suit your head shape and size.
The left earcup features a flexible boom mic, while all ports and controls are conveniently located on the right earcup. Here, you can easily navigate different options, such as switching between voice and game, volume up/down, device, etc. And, if you would prefer not to use the included wireless base station, you can access the USB-C port for wired charging.
The base station serving as both charger and transmitter is the most significant upgrade in the A50 X, enabling simultaneous connections to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Underneath the headset, you’ll find three metal charging contacts that form a connection when you place it on the base station. The LED glows orange when charging, which is helpful since it can be a little fiddly to get the headset to sit straight while charging while you get used to its positioning.
On the front of the base station, you can easily see the four LEDs that show the headset’s battery level. Another LED shows which device the headset is connected to.
You’ll find an array of USB-C ports on the rear, each paired with an HDMI port. These are for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC connections. If you’re familiar with the A50s, you’ll notice that this new configuration removes the 3.5mm aux input, optical audio input and output, and USB-A port.
Connectivity: A Technological Marvel
The A50 X’s connectivity is a standout feature, allowing seamless integration with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox simultaneously. The base station’s back panel hosts three USB-C ports paired with HDMI ports, catering to each console. It’s a very simple setup for PC gaming—plug the USB-C / Power Combo Cable into the base station’s PC USB port, and ensure the USB-C cable and included power adapter are connected.
There is a slightly convoluted HDMI chaining process if you want to use the A50 X for console gaming. Still, once configured, the headset offers a hassle-free gaming experience across different platforms. The base station doubles as an HDMI switch, simplifying the cable setup and freeing up HDMI ports on the TV.
To prevent you from getting lost during the setup, here are a few pointers to guide you:
You should utilize the device button on the Logitech G Astro A50 X headset to swap between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC sound sources. The A50 X draws game audio from the HDMI feed, and the USB connection handles voice chat functions. The base station combines both audio sources into the headset.
Once connected, it’s a breeze to switch between each console or PC. Just select which device you’re using, and there you have it. Granted, this setup might not suit everyone, but if you have your gaming PC setup in the same room as your Xbox and/or PlayStation, it omits the need to have a headset for each device or the pain of connecting via Bluetooth each time you want to switch between them.
Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Impressive Mic Quality
The A50 X supports a range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Notably, it includes Dolby Atmos for Headphones authorization for Windows PC and Xbox, while also leveraging the PlayStation 5’s 3D audio feature.
Bluetooth connectivity adds versatility, allowing users to connect the headset to smartphones or other Bluetooth-compatible devices.
While there’s clearly an expensive price tag attached to the A50 X headset, it’s starting to become clear exactly why this is the case. If you invest in the A50 X, you can ditch any other headphones or headset you have for your consoles, gaming PC, phone, and so on, if you really want to. Although I can’t see myself walking down wearing these, you get the point I’m trying to make here.
For users who want to tweak the sound coming out of the A50 X, theLogitech G Hub softwareoffers 10-band EQs for sound customization. The software is intuitive, and you may download the app for iOS/Android, too.
The clear drawback here, however, is the lack of extensive options for the microphone. While the mic doesn’t have the same level of customization found in other Logitech G headsets, its out-of-the-box performance is impressive, making it suitable for voice chat and casual streaming.
The microphone’s adjustability and clarity make it worth considering on its own merit. While it may lack extensive customization options, the default performance is more than satisfactory.
The headphones, equipped with Logitech’s 40mm graphene drivers, deliver a full and immersive sound experience, enhancing the audio quality, and providing a more balanced and crisp sound than its predecessor.
Gaming: Immersive Audio and Spatial Precision
The A50 X’s audio performance is a highlight, offering powerful bass, clear mids, and detailed highs. Until now, I had no idea what I was missing out on when gaming. I always assumed that the sound I heard was decent enough, but when playing a range of titles using the Astro A50 X, I was gobsmacked.
The spatial audio is outstanding. To test it, I reluctantly loaded up Fortnite where I expected my quick demise. However, being able to hit other player’s footsteps, guns reloading, and knowing exactly where they would be coming from was a game changer! Every detail was highlighted—even the sound of different terrains—it was an experience like no other.
Testing with music also revealed a well-balanced sound profile, with no distortion even at maximum volume levels. The bass was punchy, mids clear and not muddy, with detailed highs that often get lost.
The spatial audio capabilities shine in gaming, providing an immersive experience with directional imaging. No matter the type of game, the headset delivered exceptional audio quality, showcasing its prowess. Another tick from me.
A Premium Investment
The Logitech G Astro A50 X is an excellent gaming headset, offering a unique advantage for multi-console gamers. The ability to connect to both PlayStation and Xbox simultaneously, along with its impressive audio performance, justifies the premium price tag. While the setup process might be slightly convoluted, the convenience and versatility it brings to multi-platform gaming make it a worthwhile investment for those who own both consoles and a gaming PC.
The absence of certain ports and the high price point may deter some users, but the overall package and performance make the Astro A50 X a top contender in the wireless gaming headset market.
