It is a popular gaming headset for a good reason. Gamers looking for rich, immersive soundscapes, high-quality audio and exceptional comfort will find the A40 a welcome change from lesser headsets. Let’s dive in and have a more detailed look at the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017.
Price
The recommended retail price for the Astro AR40 TR Headset is currently US$249.95.
Specifications
The specifications below are provided courtesy of Astro Gaming.
A40 TR Headset
Primary Specs
• Connector: 3.5mm Mini-stereo and PC Splitter
• Boom Mic: 6.0mm Uni-directional
Physical Specs
• Weight w/o Cable: 369g
• Length: 20.32 cm
• Width: 19.68 cm
• Height: 9.52 cm
Tech Specs
• Transducer Principle: Open 40mm Sound Driver tuned for Gaming, Dynamic
• Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
• Nominal Impedance: 48 ohms
MixAmp Pro TR
Primary Specs
• Sound Power Out: 100 dBSPL
• Sample rates:
• Game audio: 48 kHz @ 16 bit
• Chat audio: 16 kHz @ 16 Bit
• USB Standard: USB Audio 1.0, USB 2.0 Full Speed
• Stream Port (Line out)
• Frequency response 20 - 24 kHz
• USB Voice (Chat) and USB Game, Aux port line out
• Frequency response 20 - 8 kHz
• Audio inputs
• Optical In, USB Game and USB Voice, Aux port line in
• Frequency response: 20 - 24 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.05% @ 0 dBFS
• Signal to Noise Ratio: > 70 dB
Physical Specs
• Weight: 296 g
• Dimensions: 13.7 cm x 8 cm x 3.8 cm
Compatibility
There are many variations of the Astro A40 TR headset, so you’ll need to be careful which one you buy. The standard PC variant is compatible with a PS5, but not with an Xbox. The Xbox variant isn’t compatible with a PS5 but is still compatible with a PC. The PlayStation variant is also not compatible with Xbox.
So, while you can find an Astro A40 model to suit most needs, it isn’t the most adaptable headset which may prove to be an issue for users who like to game on multiple different systems.
Performance for different uses
Right off the bat, we want to take a look at how the A40 TR headset performs in certain circumstances. It’s important to note that this headset is primarily targeted towards gamers, meaning users looking for multi-purpose headphones may find more benefits in other headset models.
Travelling
If you have a long commute to work, you probably want a set of headphones that are going to drown out the noise around you. Unfortunately, that’s not the Astro A40. Most notably, they’re not wireless. This isn’t a dealbreaker for travel headphones, but it’s pretty close. They’re also pretty bulky, and even though they have a comfortable fit while wearing them, they’re not good for carrying around.
These minor inconveniences aside, the major issue is that the Astro A40 TR Headset + Mixamp Pro 2017 headphones aren’t noise-cancelling. As a result, you get background noise filtering into your favourite tunes and podcasts. Plus, the open-back design leaks a lot of audio, so if you like to listen loud, your fellow passengers are also going to hear.
Gaming
With a disclaimer that the A40 is wired, therefore offers no wireless gaming functionality, it is still a terrific option for gamers who don’t mind a cord. Some may see this as a drawback, but for many serious gamers, the low audio latency of a wired headset connection is exactly what they’re looking for. Even the best Wi-Fi plan in the world won’t stop some of the latency issues with wireless headphones, so this isn’t a negative.
The detachable boom microphone is also of excellent quality and separates your voice clearly from background noise. The mic has great recording quality too, so it’s likely to be a popular choice for streamers too.
The MixAmp really shines here, because the headset itself lacks a little when it comes to audio controls. Fortunately, the MixAmp lets you play around with EQ settings and adjust other settings to customise your gaming experience.
Sports/Fitness
Much like commuting, the Astro A40 headset isn’t really suitable for sports or fitness use. Again, the wired connection is an issue for many fitness enthusiasts. This headset is stable enough for use at home, but if you’re moving around a lot, you may find that stability and comfort suffer. In addition, despite being a closed-back design, they still trap a decent amount of heat which causes you to sweat more. Overall, the Astro A40 isn’t good for sports and fitness use, but it doesn’t need to be as it's primarily marketed as a gaming headset.
Office use
If you work from home, as so many people do now, you may find the A40 headset performs quite admirably, as long as you don’t have noisy surroundings. Again, the lack of noise-cancelling functionality makes this headset unsuitable for use in a busy office. With audio leakage and the prevalence of background noise, it’s just not a great option.
Having said that, many people in busy offices want to listen to music in the background but also need to hear their colleagues. So, the lack of noise cancelling could be a benefit for some. Plus, the wired connection means no batteries to worry about. While the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 isn’t necessarily made for office use, some people may find them more than suitable.
Benefits
We’ve mentioned a few things above about what the Astro A40 headset isn’t great at, but what about all the benefits? There are certainly a few key reasons why the Astro A40 has been a popular headset for a while now. Here’s where it excels.
Excellent for gaming
As a standalone gaming headset, the Astro A40 TR Headset + Mixamp Pro 2017 rates very well. It has an immersive soundstage and the sound is more consistent than some of its competitors. While some have lamented the lack of audio customisation options, the MixAmp allows for live channelling mixing in real-time, so you can easily adjust your settings depending on your needs. You can also switch effortlessly between PC and console modes.
The wired connection is also a key here, with low audio latency being a hugely popular feature with hardcore gamers. The recording quality of the microphone also shines, with a clear distinction made between your voice and any background noise that might be present.
Comfort
If you’re settling in for a long gaming session, you want a headset that you’re barely going to notice. Gamers will love the comfortable padding on offer here. While the A40 does trap a little heat, it won’t be noticeable unless you’re moving around a lot. The cups have plenty of space, and although the headset is a touch bulky at 371g, the headband is strong enough to offer a comfortable experience.
We’ve mentioned that the A40 lacks somewhat in stability, but this is really only in reference to wearing them while exercising or moving around. For gaming, this headset is one of the more comfortable on the market.
Build quality
The build quality of the A40 is impressive, as evidenced by the superior comfort of the cups. Being so spacious, the cups can also handle a drop or two without causing too much trouble. Perhaps the only downside of the build quality is the headband, which being plastic, may feel a little flimsy to those used to a metal frame. Overall, the A40 scores very well for build quality.
Features
Below are some of the key features you can expect to find with the A40. Being a gaming headset, some common headphone features such as wireless connectivity and noise cancelling aren’t present. But there is still plenty for gamers to enjoy.
High-quality audio
There’s one thing we can’t argue with, and that’s the audio quality of the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017. Using Astro Audio V2, this headset offers distortion-free bass and terrific mid-range accuracy. The treble is found lacking somewhat, however, users who enjoy the rich soundscapes of their games will find this headset much to their liking. Combined with the audio control of the MixAmp Pro, most gamers will be more than happy with the warm sound profile, however, there have been some reports of people finding the companion software with visual EQ controls difficult to use.
Detachable microphone
The Astro A40 features a detachable microphone boom. Not only is this great for comfort if users don’t want a microphone, but we’re pleased to say the mic quality is excellent. There are some sensitivity options you can choose from, but the microphone still separates your voice well from any background noise. The recording quality of the microphone is also above-par, meaning this headset may appeal to gaming streamers and YouTubers also.
Wired connectivity
Wireless headphones are great for certain situations, but for gaming when you remain in one place, wired is usually preferred. The wired connection improves audio quality, decreases dropouts and offers low-latency sound for gamers. If you want to stay in the game without audio interruptions, the A40 TR Headset certainly ticks that box.
MixAmp controls
Some have criticised the lack of audio controls on the headset itself but considering your headset is plugged into the MixAmp TR, you still get plenty of audio customisation. The companion software also offers several audio soundscapes and EQ presets.
The only issue that we need to address is that some users have reported difficulty updating firmware, and this causes some issues when connecting to newer consoles via USB. However, overall, and when working correctly, the Astro Command Center app provides plenty of audio customisation options to suit your needs.
Pros and cons
|
Astro A40 TR Headset
+ MixAmp Pro 2017 Pros |
Astro A40 TR Headset
+ MixAmp Pro 2017 Cons |
|
Excellent for gaming Comfortable, strong design Spacious passive soundstage MixAmp audio control Excellent microphone quality Low-latency audio Excellent bass and mid sound |
Lacks noise cancelling No wireless connectivity Some issues reported with companion software No phone call management function Not suited for fitness/travel Treble management slightly lacking Notable audio leakage |
Conclusion
The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 is designed specifically for gaming, which is why some of the negatives around lack of portability and noise cancellation aren’t really an issue. If you want a multipurpose headset, there are other options on the market, but for gamers, this is an excellent product overall. High-quality audio soundscapes, a wired connection for consistent audio performance and the MixAmp TR, combined with superior comfort are the main reasons that the Astro A40 TR Headset is still one of the better gaming headsets on the market.
