ASTRO A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless (2022): Comparing Wireless Gaming Headsets

Nowadays, there’s no shortage of wireless gaming headsets, and there’ll always be a pair for just about any budget. At that, there are also those that stand out from the pack, especially on the high end of the spectrum.

ASTRO’s A50 and SteelSeries’ Arctis Pro Wireless are two that fit the description. In other words, they’re a bit on the pricey side, but their features and performance are worth every cent. The only question then is, which one should you get?

ASTRO A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless Comparison Chart

Design and Comfort

The A50 is more comfortable, thanks to its softer cushioning.

Design is really a matter of preference, but the Arctis Pro Wireless is objectively sleeker. It also sports a retractable microphone, making it even more compact. Moreover, it has Airweave earpads, which are composed of memory foams and a breathable fabric that makes the headset stay cool for long periods.

Arguably, the A50 can catch more attention, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better nor does it mean it’s worse. It has a flip-to-mute mic, so while you can get it out of the way, you can’t really put it away. It’s slightly more comfortable, though. Its cushions are softer, and that really helps if you’re gaming for hours on end.

Judging by their looks, the Arctis Pro can pass off as regular headphones, while the A50 is undoubtedly made for gaming. If you subscribe to the whole gamer aesthetic, the latter is the obvious choice, but appearances can only go so far.

Audio Performance

The Arctis Pro Wireless sounds better.

By all means, both can deliver excellent sound, but not exactly in the same way. First off, the Arctis Pro Wireless has the advantage of having a wider frequency response range. Highs and mids come through with clarity, and you’ll hear pretty much every detail a game wants you to.

Meanwhile, the A50 emphasizes lows, which is par for the course for gaming headsets. Its highs aren’t that rich, however. They even reach a point of sounding a bit shrilly. At any rate, you should be able to hear your teammates even when there’s a lot going on (read: explosions and gunfire) with either headset.

Their respective base stations are where the differences become more noticeable. For starters, SteelSeries fitted it with ChatMix controls so you can balance audio and in-game volume on the fly. ASTRO made theirs a two-in-one transmitter and charging stand (more on that later).

Both support directional audio, and that means you can get sound cues to improve your gaming. The distinction here is in the software they use. The A50 uses Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos, while the Arctis Pro Wireless uses DTS Headphone:X v2.0, which is supposedly better.

Battery Life

Compared to the Arctis Pro Wireless, the A50 can last longer on a single charge.

On paper, the A50 is rated to go up to 15 hours, while the Arctis Pro Wireless can last up to 20 hours. Even though it seems like the Arctis Pro Wireless has got this one in the bag, the A50 can technically stay on longer on a single charge.

The Arctis Pro Wireless’ runtime is split into two batteries that can hold up to 10 hours’ worth of juice each. You switch them out each time the headset is low on battery and charge one pack in the base station.

In the A50’s case, you likely won’t even have to worry about it running out of steam. Its base station doubles as a charger, so if you set it there every time it’s not in use, it’ll always have plenty of battery life. In a word, it’s really more convenient than having to swap out batteries.

However, it’s worth mentioning that removable batteries have an advantage: they’re easier to replace.

Verdict

The Arctis Pro Wireless just has the better sound quality.

To sum things up, the A50 is easier to use because of its charging station, and it’s also more comfortable to wear. On the other hand, the Arctis Pro Wireless sounds better.

Excluding their design, since that’s subjective, we’ll have to go with the Arctis Pro Wireless here. That’s simply because it can deliver a better listening experience overall, be it for games or for music.

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