Astro Gaming A10 Wired Headset Review: A Great Value For A Lower Price
When most companies make gaming headsets these days, they usually load them up with a number of [...]
When most companies make gaming headsets these days, they usually load them up with a number of features, including 7.1 surround sound, keen design and strong connectivity with devices. But the thing is this – the more features they pile on, the more expensive they get.
And that poses a problem to those on a budget, because most folks prefer models that won't cost them an arm and a leg – and for the most part, they run a risk at picking up a crappy headset as a result.
But leave it to Astro to find a pretty good solution to these worries. The company's A10 headset, which clocks in at around $60, looks like something you'd find on a budget line, but once you open up the box and give it a try, you'll actually find it's not half bad. In fact, as far as the price is concerned, you probably won't find a better headset on the market for the under $70 range.
Simple, Yet Ideal
It doesn't come with a whole lot of features. You basically get the headset and a 3.5mm cable that can connect to different devices. But that's a good way to "keep it simple, stupid", while some of the other models have more extravagant features and a stand. The headset is already good to go, so you don't have to worry about making any other adjustments – just plug it in and you're pretty much good to go, with the ability to adjust the inline volume controls very easily.
There are also different models available for the headset. For our review, we got the green Xbox One model, although there's also a red PC model and a blue PlayStation 4 model. They all work about the same, and you can purchase a separate mixamp for a total of $100 with headset if you want more quality sound. But really, the general model does quite well in its own right.
First off, the headset is quite comfortable. The ear cups are actually pretty good quality, as we've come to expect from Astro, and it doesn't scrunch down on your head like other budget headsets. The microphone is a little bit on the wide side, but doesn't get in the way when it comes to speaking with your friends. Whatever color you prefer, you'll find all the general models to be the same, so don't be afraid if you have to take the budget way out.
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Secondly, what great sound quality. Even though the A10 wasn't built with surround sound in mind (and you can tell with the 3.5mm plug-in instead of something more USB related), it provides some superb sound quality with a variety of games. For instance, we tested it out with Tekken 7 and could still hear the crackle of every kick and punch without missing a beat. We also tested it with other games like A Hole New World, Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3, and, again, was really surprised how well the general volume and bass levels were balanced. You can't really make too many adjustments outside of that, but, then again, you don't really need to.
And then there's ease of use. Really, it's just a matter of plugging the headset into the port and enjoying your experiences. That's really about it. No muss, no fuss. What's more, you can use the headset with mobile devices too, and get a kick out of your favorite tunes and mobile games. (You can turn the mic upward if you don't want it in the way.)
Again, though, this isn't the ultimate Astro experience. That's reserved for the A50 model, which is really the peak performer when it comes to what the company has to offer – and the A40's aren't too shabby either, especially the Halo models. But those are a bit astronomical in pricing, so if you can't afford the upgrade, it never hurts to settle.
For what it's worth, the Astro Gaming A10 headset offers significant value for about the price of a video game, and that's not too bad at all. The quality of sound is superb across a multitude of games; the headset is ridiculously simple to use; and it looks pretty stylish, even without the customizable ear pads or anything. It's basic, but just the right kind of basic.
RATING: Four out of five stars.
Disclaimer: A review unit was provided by the publisher.
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