If you are even just the least bit interested in competitive online gaming on the Xbox – especially around the Halo series – chances are that you have heard of American-based MLG (Major League Gaming) and its audio partner of choice: Astro Gaming.
American-based Astro Gaming makes headsets, headset amplifiers and gaming backpacks for the Xbox, Playstation and PC market, however as above it is with the Xbox crowd that they’ve really found favour.
What these gamers have fallen in love with is the A40 Audio System, which we have here for review today. This system comprises of the A40 headset (available in black and white) and the Astro MixAmp. Together they will set you back $449, or you can buy the headset and MixAmp separately for $299 and $199 respectively.
The MixAmp
The MixAmp is the centre of the appeal really, because anyone can make decent headphones but what this little beast does is quite unique.
Primarily, the MixAmp takes the audio from your console, via left and right analog or 5.1 digital connection, and amplifies it for your headphones. This greatly improves the sound quality along the way as the pitiful line level signal from your console can barely push your headphones to produce their best sound when using a passive audio adaptor. Volume can be controlled by cranking the massive dial on the MixAmp up or down.
But wait, there’s more! It also has what is called Dolby Headphone mode, which creates a surround sound audio stage from just the left and right speakers in your headset. This works best with a 5.1 digital connection via optical or coax cable, however it can also convert a stereo signal into surround sound via the analog inputs (it doesn’t sound anywhere near as good though).
The other big awesome thing that the MixAmp can do is mix voice audio with game sound. On the Xbox for instance, you can connect the Xbox Live Communicator port on your controller to the MixAmp, and then the MixAmp will send that voice audio to your main headset, so you don’t have to use the crummy Xbox Live headset. What you can do then is use the smaller dial on the MixAmp to make game sounds louder and voice audio quieter, or vice versa to your preference.
The last thing worth mentioning about the MixAmp is its ability to be daisy-chained with other MixAmps. The point of this is if you are at a LAN and you’ve teamed up with a few other people that you want to communicate with in-game, you can all connect your MixAmps together and have your own private, lag-free chat network with crystal clear clarity. Pro!
The A40 headset
As for the other half of the Audio System, the A40s are actually really awesome headphones. Build quality is right up there – they have a decent weight to them and they feel as if you can drop them and kick them round a bit without breaking them. Comfort factor is also very high, with nice large padded cups and plenty of adjustment options.
I’ve spent a couple of weeks comparing the Astro A40 headset to the Sennheiser HD555 headphones and the Razer Carcharias headset (by the way - headsets have microphones, headphones don’t), which are two very popular models for gaming.
For gaming use, the A40s definitely deliver. Tight, punchy bass and a solid midrange help deliver intensity and clarity, but it’s slightly let down by a muddled high-end. Soundstaging is still excellent however, especially with Dolby Headphone mode engaged on the mixamp.
Both of the other headsets had a crisper, more natural top-end, and more bass extension which also improved their performance when listening to music. I’d also say the soundstage was slightly wider on the Razer and Sennheiser gear as well, but not by much. The fact that both of these models retail at over $100 cheaper than the A40s says to me that the Astro headset probably isn’t the best value.
The MixAmp however is definitely good value – most other decent headphone amplifiers on the market are at least half the price, and most don’t offer Dolby Headphone mode.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about console gaming, you need the Astro MixAmp. Plain and simple.
I can’t put as much heart into the A40 headset considering there is better value elsewhere, but there certainly isn’t anything “wrong” with them. Try them out, and if you like them, go for it because you could certainly do worse.
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Our thanks to PlayTech for providing the review samples.
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