Logitech G Astro A50 X review: Cables not included
DexertoWe’ve put the Logitech G Astro A50 X gaming headset to the test to see if the pricey head is worth it, or if it’s just an expensive heap of plastic.
Logitech G has long been setting out a name for itself when it comes to high-end gaming peripherals. No gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, streaming microphone or even driving wheels are free from the G branding, and the high-powered specs associated with it.
The Astro A50 X headset is just the latest in Logitech’s high-quality offerings, being the fifth iteration of the Astro A50 series gaming headset line. Unlike the previous pair, the Astro A50 X comes littered with new features, including the ability to switch between the Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC through the use of its accompanying base station.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had hands-on experience with the multi-console switching Logitech G Astro A50 X to see if the exponential price of this brand-new gaming headset is justified, or if your cash is better left burning a hole in your pocket.
Key specs
- Connectivity: LIGHTSPEED Wireless @ 24 bit/48 kHz
- Driver diameter: 40 mm PRO-G
- Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz
- Weight: 363g
- Battery: 24 hours
- Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & 5 and a USB port, PC with Windows 10/1 or later and a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS 12 and above
- Features: Playsync 3-system switching, Pro-G Graphene audio drivers, Pro-grade lightspeed wireless with Bluetooth Dual-device mixing, HDMI 2.1 4K 120Hz, omnidirectional microphone, Dolby Atmos Windows Sonic Spatial Audio compatible, 3D Audio on PS5
- Price: $379.99
Design
DexertoWhen taking the Astro A50X headset out of its box for the first time, I was taken aback by its striking appearance. There are two metal attachments, holding both the left and right earpads in place. Cool to the touch, these metal poles allow the headset to slide up and down easily and stand out against the all-black color scheme, and other high-powered gaming headsets.
Similarly to the Astro A50, there is no RGB in sight. Instead, the all-black headset design has a very uniform and professional appeal. The only dab of color can be found on the ‘A50 X’ red text, and the silver Logitech G logo pasted on the attached microphone.
DexertoThe headset is predominantly made up of a hard black plastic, with a matte finish. A glossy plastic can be found encompassing the ear pads, which feature durable foam pads covered by a breathable mesh fabric. Along the sides of the right ear cup where the charging, Playsync switch, and Bluetooth buttons can be found, as well as the volume dial. The right ear cup is also where the voice and game switch buttons are located, on opposite sides of each other.
To prevent any pain and discomfort during long wear, the same quality foam that forms the ear pads can be found below the headband. While it’s better than no support, with the hefty 363g weight of the headset, it does little to provide comfort. I may have a bigger head than most, but I found the Astro A50 X to be one of the most uncomfortable headsets I’ve had the displeasure of placing on my head.
It constantly felt like a huge weight was being forced down upon my skull, and adjusting the length of the ear cups did little to shift any pain. It’s more than likely this won’t be a problem for everyone, as with a history of chronic pain and migraines, I tend to have a highly sensitive head.
The Astro A50 X microphone is pre-attached and sits on the left-hand side of the headset. Instead of that typical microphone bulb shape, the A50 X microphone is a long bendable strip, that can be adjusted to twist around and point at your mouth for optimal placement.
Features
DexertoThe Astro A50 X comes with a base station, which is the main appeal of this high-end gaming headset. The base station essentially acts as an HDMI switcher which allows you to be simultaneously connected to both a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC all at once.
Connecting to the PC is straightforward, only requiring a split USB-C cable that comes with the headset. Plugging one end into the accompanying power adaptor, and the other into the PC port on the base station is all you need to get going. However, if, like me, you would prefer to use the headset with your PlayStation 5, this is where things get complicated.
Setup
DexertoTo connect a PS5 to the headset, you need three HDMI cables in total, of which none are provided. If you’re into tech like us at Dexerto, likely you’ll have some lying around, including the one that came with your PS5 in the first place. However, it’s just as likely that they’re all being used for various other gadgets in your home.
The setup is so convoluted, that upon checking the official setup video from the Logitech Tech Support YouTube Channel, the comments section was littered with questions, with users having problems getting the headset working. When I finally completed the setup, my PS5 was looking like something you’d expect on Dr Frankenstain’s medical table.
The cable-management nightmare of a setup is due to the different wireless audio needs of both the PS5 and an Xbox Series X/S. To work, the PS5 needs those three HDMI cables, and two USB-C cables for both the general audio and the microphone.
Switching between consoles is the biggest draw to this headset. However, it’s likely to only appeal to those who keep all their gaming hardware nearby. Personally, my PS5 and PC are in separate rooms, so connecting both to the base station for easy switching wasn’t a possibility. However, if you keep your gaming setup confined, not having to have multiple headsets at hand is going to make the A50 X entirely worthwhile.
The base station also acts as a charging station. There are small contacts on the bottom side of either ear cup, which when connected to the corresponding points on the base will charge the headset to produce up to 25 hours of battery life. Matching up the contacts can be a fiddly process, and the base requires a power supply so you will need to ensure you have a plug socket going spare.
Through my extended use I never felt like the battery life felt lacking. Mainly as the base station doesn’t just charge the headset, but also works as a stand. Whenever I wasn’t wearing it, the headset was always charging, leaving battery life woes behind.
Performance
When the Astro A50 X headset was finally up and running, I gasped at the audio quality. The 40mm Pro-Graphene drivers were pulling out all the punches, with the audio sounding so rich and crisp I was taken back to my days recording at high-end music studios.
Audio quality
While playing Dead by Daylight with friends, I could hear every footstep the killer made. Although it still didn’t improve my skills as a survivor (that’s on me), it increased the scary immersion tenfold. Never have I experienced sound from a headset, never mind a pair of headphones, of that magnitude.
The Astro A50 X is also compatible with Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic Spatial Audio and with 3D audio on the PS5 – which is what elevated the horror game’s immersion. Later, I tested the headset out on Persona 3 Reload and even the catchy Persona OST felt taken to new heights.
The Astro A50 X isn’t noise canceling, but the ear cups work wonders at keeping any outside noise at bay. There were multiple times where I found myself chugging along at Persona 3 Reload only to get jump scared by the presence of my partner, as the headset had tuned out his footsteps.
Microphone quality
The microphone of the Astro A50 X is equally one of the best I’ve used. While it did take some tinkering with the PS5 settings to figure out how to set it up in the first place, if we ignore the continuing frustrations I have with the setup, the microphone made my voice sound crystal clear.
Typically, gaming headset microphones aren’t the best quality. Which makes sense, as there’s a lot less legroom to fit in the specs you’d expect from a high-end streaming mic. However, the omnidirectional pick-up pattern meant my voice was picked up, even when the microphone itself wasn’t malleable enough to stay in place after adjusting.
Should you buy the Logitech G Astro A50 X?
The Astro A50 X is likely one of the highest-quality gaming headsets out there, yet it isn’t for everyone. The price tag feels ridiculous for a headset that doesn’t even come with all the necessary components to set it up if you want to use it with your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. Never mind, for a headset which only feels truly beneficial if you happen to not only own a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and a PC, but if you have all of them within close vicinity.
While the Astro A50 X coming with what is essentially an HDMI switcher, and charging dock makes the price feel more justifiable, it still feels like it targets the headset towards audiophiles, and those with tight-nit gaming setups, rather than your average player.
For its staggering price point too, I’d expect the Astro A50 X to be not only more comfortable to wear but come in a variety of colorways besides Black and White, as to suit a whole variety of gaming setups.
The Verdict: 3/5
Right out of the box, the Logitech G Astro A50 X is a chunky headset, that’s weighted down by its uncomfortable padding and only being available in black and white colorways.
The rich and in-depth audio clarity the A50 X brings to any game is out-of-this-world. If it weren’t for its convoluted setup, and incredibly high MSRP, that alone would be would be enough to wholly recommend this to everyone.
However, it’s clear this latest iteration of the A50 series is better left to those with a bundled-up gaming setup, and the cash to spare.
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