Do I consider the Astro A10 an MLG-level headset? If you do prefer a material other than velour you can buy anti-sweat or abrasion-resistant covers for your headsets earcups, which will help them last a little longer. The quality of the game youre playing and the processing power of your computer will play a big role in determining your gaming experience. Its especially important if you plan on getting the best out of dynamic multiplayer games, where youre just as likely to chat to friends as you are to use your headset as a strategic tool to help you win. Unlike early RIG headsets, the Nacon RIGs arent intended for modularity. Actually, the Astro A10 takes the edge on comfort. When I first picked up the A10, I was shocked at how heavy it was. The RIG has a surprisingly balanced sound signature, with very gently emphasized bass and a smooth mid and high range response. The Astro A10 comes in at a fraction of the price of the Logitech G Pro X. PCMag PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device. The $59.99 Astro Gaming A10 is a. This type of device allows you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise. Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition. The lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass. The headsets Bluetooth can also be used simultaneously with a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, which means you can take phone calls and participate in team chats, all the while losing absolutely none of your gaming audio. Astro A10 Beats Fit Pro Galaxy Buds Live Powerbeats3 SoundSport Free BeatsX Galaxy Buds 2 Galaxy Buds SM-R180 Solo3 Wireless A40 TR . We suggest looking out for features like noise cancellation and sound dampening for a better-quality sound experience. They also have more bass and clear high notes. Perhaps a bit too long for console gaming. The device is designed in a way that allows sound to go out through the back of the ear cups, which usually have vents or perforations. We also recommend the $99.99 Razer Blackshark V2 if you want a wired headset for PC gaming, and the $99.99 Xbox Wireless Headset if you want to specifically game on the Xbox One or Series S/X. Setup was very easy, Atmos as you know comes with them, and the hardware interface buttons are easy to find 'blind' once you learn the button layouts. The piano and jazzy music in the Motherlobe and Lucktopus Casino, respectively, both sounded full and atmospheric, and Razs rolling levitation power got enough low-mid response to sound a bit weighty and bouncy. If you plan on using your headset just for gaming, a cardioid mic should do the trick, since you can use it to chat to folks in your game and then move it away from your mouth to chat to others in the same room. I think this is a good thing. Cushioning for the headband and earcups can be made from leather, velour, pleather, or foam. Its a piece of metal with a thick rubbery coating over the top of it. We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. No expert reviews linked yet for RIG 500HC. This page is currently only available in English. This very attractive headset produces a clear and natural sound and has excellent connectivity and cross-compatibility so you can use it with just about all your devices, which is why we recommend it as the best wireless gaming headset. Especially useful in noisy environments. Has a noise-canceling microphone? Honestly, youd be happy with either one of these. Granted, you wont always have the opportunity to try them on, it pays to look closely at PCWorld product reviews where our reviewers have done the wearing for you and have summarized how they feel, even after extended periods of time with them on. The RIG 400 has a slightly more airy sound as a resultbut if youre in a loud room, its isolation performance isnt that great. If your headphones do succumb to wear and tear, some manufacturers offer the option of purchasing and swapping out damaged parts. Active Noise Cancellation and 360 Degree Spatial Audio technologies also boost the headsets audio experience, the standout of the two being the latter, which uses 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound tracks to accurately reflect the direction of sounds. Wireless devices allow users more freedom of movement. The build is quite durable in spite of some creaky plastic here and there. Additionally, if you plan on using your set as a pair of headphones, youll need to make sure your headsets mic is detachable. Especially useful in noisy environments. For example, if a headset has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), well investigate how well the headset can isolate sound and block out noise. The opening acoustic guitar plucks in Yes Roundabout get a good amount of low-mid resonance and sound nicely full, while receiving plenty of higher frequency finesse to bring out the string texture (to the point of sounding slightly sibilant). The Astro A10 headset is inconsistent. A while back Logitech acquired the microphone manufacturer Blue, which explains why we found the Logitech G Pro Xs mic to be so capable in our PCWorld testing. We give the updated Mercenaries mode in Resident Evil 4 Remake a spin in this S-Rank gameplay clip, featuring Leon. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Below are their opinions. But design also plays a big role in a headsets functionality, so we also look at how adjustable the band is, and how accessible the controls are. I feel that the areas the A10 lacks are reflective of their low price. Its compatible with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Android devices, so you wont have to buy separate headsets for each of your devices. But one often overlooked consideration is a decent gaming headset. Connected to my PS4 controller I find it gets in the way, but despite that, I appreicate the length for PC. The Razer Barracuda Pro delivers excellent-quality sound, producing deep commanding bass tones, and clear mids and highs in both games and movies. Impedance is the devices electrical resistance to the current being pushed through it. RIG 500 PRO HC 214450-01 ROG Delta ROG Delta S ROG Delta S Animate ROG Delta S EVA Edition . Astro A10 Gaming Headset Gen 2 Astro A40 939-001512 Astro A40 TR Astro A40 TR X-Edition Astro A50 Astro Gaming A10 . An MLG calibur headset now that sounds like something worth trying out. Travel bag is included? The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. A speaker driver is an individual transducer that converts electrical energy to sound waves. You have to nit pick very hard to find any flaws with this premium headset that offers the versatility of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, as well as a wired connection. The USB Type-C features reversible plug orientation and cable direction. Astro is known for its fancy headsets, but its new A10 is just $60 and delivers good performance and comfort. The look of the RIG 400 is very angular and a little strange. This type of device allows you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise. I would say this is useful, but the mic just folds right back into its original place once you let go, making the uni-directional aspect to the mic non-existent. The RIG 400 basically floats on your head, and it doesnt clamp down very hard either. Leather and pleather (fake leather) look and feel luxurious. The device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Astro mic is very natural and nice, and good enough for regular recording work. Astro made this its goal since its inception in 2007 when they signed a deal making Astro the official headset of MLG (Major League Gaming). Its unrealistic to expect quality design, build, and packaging out of a headset that is this affordable. The 3.5mm audio jack connects to the left ear cup and has an in-line volume control wheel. We can't guarantee correctness and completeness of all the data presented here, and therefore will not accept liability for any issues arising from usage of this data. Yet its generous feature-set includes a few high-end luxuries. I write independent game reviews and commentary. This website displays data from third party public sources. The company was purchased by Logitech for $85 million back in 2017 and are still owned by Logitech today. 81 4.1 out of 5 Stars. Multiple speakers deliver the sound at different positions in each earcup, telling your brain its precise location in your games. ASTRO Gaming A10 vs Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition. . The systems that the headset is compatible with, according to the manufacturer. Check Price Its quite easy to disassemble and pop back together, and everything has a satisfying click. The permanently attached cable also means you cant swap it out for one with a smartphone remote. They also tend to be the most resistant to wear, but these materials arent very breathable and can cause sweaty ears during long gaming sessions. If you play FPS games like Overwatch, Fortnite, or any of the Call of Duty or Battlefield games, this can have real-time benefits, like being able to hear players sneak up on you from behind, or pinpointing the direction of grenades rolling towards you, so that you can react accordingly. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. All external noises will most likely be picked up and create static in the background of your voice. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. We take notes on the clarity of the sound, how well the headset produces pitch, and in the case of wireless headsets, how much signal interference there is. The headset are covered in plastic wrap, and the cords are bundled together in a plastic bag. We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. Like I said, even when explosions are going off, the higher frequencies will pick up and you can still hear cues like gunfire and footsteps. Thats because even a small amount of force or abrasion from wearing your headset can be extremely unpleasant and result in neck pain, rash, cranial pressure or worse. We analyze everything from how comfortable and durable they are, to how they perform in games and the software support they get via their manufacturers apps. The Astro A10 headset comes in five color palettes and can be found, All Astro headphones are compatible with the. More drivers may result in better sound quality. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. Both headsets feature a nice in-line volume control thats very smoothly stepped. The A10 comes with a detachable cable in the box, and thats it. I played some Psychonauts 2 with the headset on, and the game audio was clear and clean. A long cable ensures more freedom of movement. Which is to say, they're both 3.5mm, wired gaming headsets. I am a fan of having a volume dial and I give kudos to Astro for including one. There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. The GameDAC also lets you switch between your PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S at the press of a buttonwhich saves you the hassle of buying separate headsets for your consoles. I really like the modular nature of the RIG. It responds the way I expect cheaper studio headphones to respond. To be fair, a lot of headsets have difficulty blocking out background audio, and the A10 isnt the worst Ive dealt with. They offer a superior wearing experience that causes no headphone fatigue. The A10s ability to provide long-lasting comfort is the feature that most impressed me. 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