Astro A50 Gen 5 Review: A Premium Sound Experience Without the Premium Price

Experience the impressive performance of the Astro A50 Gen 5 headset, which delivers premium sound quality and features at a lower price point than its counterpart.

Introduction to Astro A50 Gen 5

Logitech's Astro division has been a trailblazer in high-quality audio solutions for many years, and the Astro A50 Gen 5 continues to uphold this reputation. Priced slightly lower than the Astro A50 X, which was among the best wireless gaming headsets we tested last year, the A50 Gen 5 offers an enticing alternative without sacrificing quality.

The A50 Gen 5 is built on an impressively solid foundation, featuring graphene drivers that not only deliver exceptional sound but also maintain a lightweight design. The overall structure is thoughtfully crafted, ensuring comfort even during prolonged use.

Sound Quality and Performance

The audio experience is nothing short of outstanding. The headset provides a wide soundstage with deep bass that is distortion-free and crisp highs without any muddiness. I found myself using it for music listening almost as frequently as for gaming.

Support for Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic, coupled with Bluetooth audio capability from external sources, makes it perfect for anyone wanting to stream a podcast or playlist while gaming. This flexibility is a strong suit of the A50 Gen 5, as it can connect to multiple platforms seamlessly.

"The same microphone found in the A50 X delivers crystal-clear sound during intense competitive moments."

Not only is the sound impressive, but the microphone also folds away easily if you prefer to use the headset purely as high-quality headphones.

Battery Life and Ease of Use

One of the standout features of the Astro A50 Gen 5 is its fantastic 24-hour battery life, along with the convenience of using the headset on a charging dock, ensuring it is always ready for action. This impressive package is further enhanced by the Logitech G Hub software, which includes customizable equalizers and Blue Voice features.

While the A50 Gen 5 is not the cheapest option out there, if you need a headset that works across all platforms, it can be more economical than purchasing a separate headset for each device.

Astro A50 Gen 5: Price and Availability

- Price: Approximately $340
- Cheaper than the Astro A50 X
- Available worldwide

For around $340, you get an exceptional headset. Along with the fantastic audio quality, the base station is also remarkable. The Astro A50 Gen 5 boasts solid construction and offers a genuinely convenient way to charge the headset, making it a premium choice compared to mid-range headsets with plastic shells.

Specifications of Astro A50 Gen 5

Design and Features

• Lightweight headset with a retractable microphone
• Graphene drivers that provide excellent sound without added weight
• Fabric ear cushions that are comfortable and prevent sweat accumulation

When placed alongside the more expensive A50 X, you may not notice a significant difference, although the red cables of the Astro A50 Gen 5 and black cables of the A50 X give them away. This model comes in black or white, with magnetic ear cushions that are removable and replaceable for longevity.

The microphone is designed to drop to mouth level, and all ports are conveniently placed on the side. The headset features chat and sound mixing capabilities, as well as Bluetooth for music streaming.

Astro A50 Gen 5 is comfortable even during long gaming sessions, being lighter than older Logitech Pro X models. The ear cushions never get hot, and I actually prefer them over leather alternatives, although you can purchase a replacement set from Logitech.

Moving on to the Astro A50 Gen 5's dock, it does lack an HDMI port but includes four USB ports—one for power, meaning there are three available for connection. These ports accommodate PC, PS5, and Xbox, although you will need your own USB-C cable as Logitech only provides one power cable and one for other consoles.

Performance Evaluation

• 24-hour battery life plus the added convenience of the dock
• 24-bit sound on PC, 16-bit on consoles, but likely indistinguishable
• Connects via USB-C to the dock without HDMI ports

The Astro A50 Gen 5, at least to my trained musician’s ear, sounds just as good as its premium version. Enemy footsteps in games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6 are clear and easily identifiable, allowing you to pinpoint shooting directions even from short bursts.

In Overwatch, hero voices come through crisply, and more cinematic games like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows are especially impressive, particularly during rainfall on rooftops.

It's worth noting that the Astro A50 Gen 5 does not feature active noise cancellation (ANC), but despite having a relatively large footprint, I found that the fit around my ears was snug enough to keep external sounds at bay. However, your experience may vary.

The most impressive aspect of the Astro A50 Gen 5 is its capability for music listening outside of gaming. If you’re looking to relax with some tunes, the balanced soundstage and comfortable headset make listening enjoyable and refreshing.

I found listening to rock epics to be a superb experience: the piano and drums complement each other beautifully, with enough bass when necessary but without the distortion often found in cheaper headphones.

You can also experiment with the mixer in the Logitech G app, and the aforementioned controls on the headset are perfect for adjusting sound during chat and gaming.

However, the audio output of the Astro A50 Gen 5 is just part of the story. While I usually prefer desktop microphones, the mic on this headset is always crystal clear. The Logitech G app on PC can utilize proprietary Blue technology for sound filtering, ensuring you sound your best, but even without additional settings, it feels like you’re standing right next to your teammate strategizing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What platforms are compatible with the Astro A50 Gen 5?
  The headset is compatible with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, and iOS.
• How long does the battery last on the Astro A50 Gen 5?
  You can expect up to 24 hours of battery life on a full charge.
• Does the Astro A50 Gen 5 have noise cancellation?
  No, it does not feature active noise cancellation but does provide a snug fit for passive noise isolation.
• Can I use the Astro A50 Gen 5 for music?
  Yes, it excels at music listening as well as gaming, offering a rich and balanced sound experience.
• Is the microphone detachable?
  The microphone is not detachable, but it can be easily folded away when not in use.

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