Logitech Astro A50 X Detailed Review: The Astro A50X, a dynamic and high-quality wireless headset, swiftly connects and switches among PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC. This feature is a game-changer for those who play across different platforms.
The headset offers outstanding comfort and superior sound quality. However, its high price might not seem reasonable to everyone.
Ever since Logitech G acquired Astro, i have been eagerly waiting for a new version of their top-tier headset. The Astro A50 Gen4 is still one of the best wireless headsets around, but with more competitors stepping up their game, it was high time for an upgrade. Enter the Astro A50X. While it looks pretty much the same design-wise, the headset has seen major upgrades in connectivity and sound performance, making it a fresh and exciting choice for gamers.
The new feature Astro A50X introduces PLAYSYNC technology, letting the headset connect wirelessly to PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC/Mac using just one box. With a simple button press on the headset, you can switch between platforms without fiddling with any cables.
This innovative approach pairs with other cool updates like Bluetooth compatibility, new graphene speakers, and an enhanced app for both desktop and mobile. All these features come together in the headset, priced at $379.99. Lets see if it’s worth the cost after spending two weeks getting to know it.
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Base station multiplatform connectivity | No additional USB dongle |
| Excellent sound quality | No built-in surround sound |
| Simultaneous bluetooth connectivity | Expensive |
| Solid battery life |
Specification
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $379.99 |
| Type | Over-ear Headphone |
| Colors | White, Black |
| Drivers | 40mm Graphene |
| Wireless Connection | Bluetooth, 2.4GHz LIGHTSPEED wireless |
| Device Compatibility | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
| Microphone | Non-detachable boom microphone |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours |
| Weight | 12.80 ounces (363g) |
Box Includes
The Logitech Astro A50 X comes in a sleek box featuring eye-catching orange branding. The packaging makes it clear that the headset works with Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and mobile devices. It also showcases important features like Bluetooth support, graphene drivers, and a 24-hour battery life.
- A charging station that doubles as an HDMI switch.
- A USB-C to USB-A cable to connect to your console.
- A dual USB-C to USB-A & USB-C cable for power and PC connections.
- A power adapter.
- A base station.
- Documentation.
Design
This new A50X version doesn’t bring major design changes. It looks a lot like the old A50 Gen4 model, which was already similar to its predecessors in the range.
At first glance, you can tell the difference, and honestly, i was hoping for a few more changes. When you place the A50X next to the A50 Gen4, it’s hard to spot any big differences – only a few small details set them apart.
Astro, now part of Logitech, decided to stick with the design that has been working well, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The A50 Gen4’s unique (and quite large) look might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it has become one of the most comfortable gaming headsets out there, and this new version continues that tradition.
One new thing, though, is the color options for the A50X – now available in black and white. It’s also slightly lighter, going from 380 g to 363 g.
As for the rest, the headset keeps its familiar finish. It’s mostly plastic, with earpieces that slide along a metal rod with visual markers.
Ergonomics
The headband is made from two flexible rods, with a rigid plastic part in the center that always seems to be replaceable. The internal part comes with padding with memory foam and velvet covering.
The headband keep the same format as on the previous A50 Gen4, still with a “semi-open” design and removable ear cushions.
Comfort
The headband is cushioned with fabric padding, providing additional comfort for extended use. The headset also features a flexible boom arm mic, allowing you to position it according to your preference. The overall ergonomics of the Logitech Astro A50 X make it one of the most comfortable headsets I have ever used.
The ear cushions provide enough room for most body shapes, and the earcups apply moderate pressure so as not to tighten too tightly at the temples or upper jaw.
Note that the earcups can rotate 90°, allowing them to be perfectly adjusted according to the shape of your head but also providing good comfort when you want to wear the headset around your neck. The earpieces are spaced far enough apart here so as not to get in the way, which is far from being the case with all models.
Sound Quality
The Logitech Astro A50 X delivers exceptional sound quality, thanks to its 40mm graphene drivers. The audio is full, clear, and precise, bringing out subtle details in games that you may have never noticed before. Whether you are playing FPS games or immersive single-player experiences, the headset provides an immersive soundstage, making it feel like you have a full surround sound system on your head.
The out-of-the-box bass may be a bit overpowering for some users, but the headset allows you to customize the EQ settings to your liking. You can either use the Logitech G software on your PC or the Logitech G app on your Android or iOS device to adjust the audio settings. The headset also supports Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic spatial audio, and PS5’s 3D audio, further enhancing your gaming experience.
The headset also performs very well in competitive games and allows you to easily position opponents thanks to well-detailed rendering and good spatialization. The presence of mixing between game sound and voice chat regardless of the platform used is also very interesting when playing online.
Microphone
The Logitech Astro A50 X features a flexible boom arm microphone that delivers exceptional audio quality. As on the old model, you can only raise or lower it, with a “Flip-to-Mute” system allowing you to automatically cut off the capture when you raise the pole.
The 16-bit 48kHz full bandwidth mic ensures clear and crisp communication with your teammates during online gaming sessions or streaming.
The headset also allows you to customize the microphone settings, including options for competition and broadcast modes. Additionally, if you are using the headset on the PS5, the mute button on the controller is compatible with the A50 X.
Controls
As for the controls, everything happens on the right earpiece with some differences here compared to the old model. On the rear edge, we now find a “Power” button, a “PLAYSYNC” button which will allow you to switch between its different platforms and finally a “Bluetooth” button. The “Dolby” and “EQ” buttons from the previous model disappear and you will have to use Logitech software or the mobile application to manage this.
And at the bottom there is a infinite wheel to manage the volume and the connectivity allowing the headset to be charged without using its dedicated station goes from a Micro-USB port to USB-C.
PLAYSYNC Features
As with older versions of the headset, the Astro A50X comes with a docking station to support its connectivity while serving as a charging support. The general design of this base station does not change and we still find a magnetic system making it easier to hold the headset.
At the front, a screen indicates the battery status of the headset but above all the platform to which the headset is connected and it is here that we see the first real changes of this A50X version appear.
Unlike the Gen4 model which was offered in PC/Xbox or PC/PlayStation variants, the Astro A50X is now capable of connecting to the three main platforms and the addition of PLAYSYNC functionality allows navigation from one source to the other directly from the headset.
At the back, the box has the following connections:
- An HDMI input for PS4/PS5 consoles
- A USB-C connector for PS4/PS5
- An HDMI input for Xbox Series X/S and One consoles
- A USB-C connector for Xbox Series X/S and One consoles
- A USB-C connector for powering the box and connecting to a PC
- An HDMI output to connect to your TV or screen
Setting up the headset is straightforward. Simply connect the base station to your devices using the provided cables (HDMI and USB-C). The base station acts as an HDMI switcher, allowing you to toggle between different inputs for seamless switching between Xbox, PC, and PlayStation. The setup also supports HDMI 2.1, ensuring optimal audio and video quality.
Bluetooth
In addition to its 2.4 GHz wireless connection on the different platforms listed above, the brand is finally adding Bluetooth compatibility with this Astro A50X.
An integration which, however, differs from what most of its competitors offer, since the Bluetooth connection is made here at the station level and not directly from the headset. Understand that it is not possible to use this Bluetooth connection when you find yourself out of range of the station (around ten meters), which considerably limits its usefulness.
Also note that the Bluetooth button on the headset can be used to manage play/pause via a single press or even navigate within your playlist via double and triple presses.
Logitech G Hub
The Astro A50X is now compatible with Logitech G Hub software (on PC and Mac) which already supports most of the brand’s peripherals. So no more “Astro Commander Center” and it’s not any worse.
Logitech’s tool allows you to create different configuration profiles, which can be loaded automatically depending on your games.
The first “Headphone” tab can be used to adjust the sound reproduction of the Astro A50X via a completely revised equalizer. Here can choose between a 10-band graphic mode and an advanced mode allowing you to go into even more detail by precisely focusing (or not) on certain frequencies.
The option is rather interesting and can make it possible to highlight certain specific elements of a game, but it is still necessary to succeed in identifying the frequencies to which these correspond.
The second “Microphone” tab takes care of the sound adjustments to your voice capture. We also find here a 10-band equalizer, accompanied by a “Noise Gate” system that is more or less strong depending on your environment.
As a reminder, the “Noise Gate” functionality allows you to activate your microphone only above a certain threshold and thus limit the capture of surrounding noise.
Note that unlike a Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed headset, the Astro A50X does not have “Blue Voice” options. Surprisingly, it is also not possible to adjust the microphone gain from the Logitech software.
Finally, the third and final “Portage” tab targets streamers since it allows you to create a virtual output which will mix your voice, the sound of your game and your Bluetooth connection while allowing each volume to be adjusted individually for your audience.
Mobile app
The headset can also be configured via a mobile application available for free on iOS and Android.
Connection to the application is via Bluetooth, but once the settings are in place it is not necessarily necessary to keep it open. Sound adjustments are remembered by the headset.
Battery Life
The Logitech Astro A50 X is equipped with an inbuilt battery that provides up to 24 hours of usage. The headset charges conveniently when placed on the base station, ensuring that it is always ready for your gaming sessions. The base station features metal contacts and magnetic connectors, securely holding the headset in place.
The base station also includes a USB-C port, allowing you to charge the headset directly if needed. However, it is recommended to use the base station for charging to ensure optimal performance and convenience. The LED indicators on both the headset and the base station provide clear information on the battery status and charging progress.
Conclusion!
The Logitech Astro A50 X is a high-quality wireless gaming headset that excels in design, comfort, sound quality, and microphone performance. With its versatile compatibility across various platforms, seamless switching between devices, and customizable settings, the A50 X offers a premium gaming experience.
In use, the system designed by Logitech and Astro could clearly prove interesting for multiplatform players. You can switch in the blink of an eye from your PS5 to your Xbox then to your PC, without ever having to touch any cable or USB dongle.
A very practical design, but which also shows its limits if your different devices are not installed in the same place. In this case, the A50X is less intuitive than a more traditional wireless headset, where you simply plug/reconnect a USB transmitter.
The addition of Bluetooth is a plus compared to the old version, even if its fairly strict use may make one cringe.
For the rest, nothing to complain about in terms of performance, comfort or autonomy. We can fully enjoy our games on our different platforms, with a headset that can be forgotten and which never needs to be plugged in thanks to its charging station.
Now there remains the question of price, because at nearly $380 this Astro A50X is positioned as one of the most expensive references on the market. It is worth considering if you are looking for a headset that works flawlessly on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, and mobile devices.
