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The Waffle Press

A50 Gen 5 WIRELESS HEADSET - Is It Worth It?

Written by Bibby // published 25th November 2024

Made To Play

The innovation train has just just pulled in at the Logitech G station, and we’re riding first class baybeee. Your favourite headset has just received a HUGE facelift, along with the latest and greatest technology for the leading gaming headset.

 

Earlier this year, we created a video for the ASTRO A50 X. It was the premium, flagship product that Logitech G developed to deliver the best-in-class audio experience. 

 

That product still exists and remains as premium as ever - however, today we are here to showcase a brand new product in the ASTRO line, the newest revision of the ASTRO A50 headset.

 

Introducing the ASTRO A50 Gen 5.

 

In this video we will go into great detail as to what this headset can do, why you should look to upgrade your headset to this one, how to use it to its greatest potential and what it sounds like compared to the other similar ASTRO headsets on the market.

Let's kick things off by revisiting the same ground we previously tread, trod… trode? Let’s go back to something we wanted to point out early on whilst creating our last ASTRO A50 X video - we are Logitech G Partners - but we aren’t being paid to say anything specific or being compelled to be positive in this content. Now, due to the success of the last video this content has been sponsored by the Logitech G UK team, which we’re incredibly proud of. Thanks to everyone that watched that video, or used our code on Logitech purchases - you made this happen.

 

We just want to disclose that relationship upfront for complete transparency. Those of you who have been part of our community long enough will know that we’ve been using ASTRO headsets for YEARS - and we started using them long before we ever had a sniff of sponsorship, let alone partnership (in fact, that’s actually the reason we are partnered in the first place).

 

Now that we have all the disclaimers, formalities, and pleasantries out of the way, let's explore how this headset can enhance your overall gaming experience!

Who is this headset aimed at?

Let’s set the scene. You’ve come home from a hard day's work, made tea (yes, tea! or dinner for you southern folks!) for your partner and the little ones. They’ve now gone to bed, and you’re in the mood for a late-night Call of Duty binge. We’ve all been there, right? The issue with COD is that it’s very BOOOOOOMBASTIC, I’m talking - loud guns, noisy planes, and grenades going BANG! I don’t need to tell you this, but we all know it’s a hella loud game!

 

Finding the right volume for desktop speakers in your office or games room TV - loud enough to hear the footsteps around you, yet low enough so it doesn’t feel like you’re living through World War 3 - is a tough balance to strike. This is where the A50 Gen 5’s are PERFECT! Simply lift the headset off the base, pop them on your head, press the PLAYSYNC button on the side to select the console you’re playing on, and off you go!

 

The other people in the house will thank you kindly!

Connectivity

Comparing the A50 Gen 5 headset to its A50 X counterpart, from the front EVERYTHING looks so familiar, so comfortable. Very much like the Aussie mullet: It’s allll business at the front, but the party is at the back!

 

Do you have a PlayStation, Xbox and a Nintendo Switch? Would you like to have all your sound coming through a single headset? This unit can do that for you, super simple.

 

All of this is nothing you haven’t heard before - we included it in our deep dive into the A50 X tech specs. We’ll reiterate for those in the back: everything has been streamlined through the integration of the Base Station, which features multi-system connectivity, LIGHTSPEED Wireless, and Bluetooth - all built into this compact unit. With a simple tap of the PlaySync button, conveniently located on your headset, you can switch between multiple platforms without ever having to leave your seat.

 

Now I know what you’re thinking. “If it’s the same as the A50 X, why is Logitech G trying to sell me a completely different headset?”. That is a great question, thanks for asking me this leading question. This is why.

 

BAM!

 

This unit has been completely stripped back, and has been made to be something that you would be more likely to have in a bespoke gaming setup, rather than something you would have in your living room. We’ll come back to that a little later on when we talk about PlaySync connectivity.

 

Detail shots of the base station:
If you’ve ever seen any of the other A50 base stations, you will notice they all have the same front fascia. With the built in LED info panel to show you what device you currently have connected, as well as how much juice your headset has left. As this is a wireless headset, of course the headset does need to be charged. With the magnetic charging cradle, you will be able to drop-and-charge with ease, so you’ll be ready to go when you’re called into the lobby by the crew!

Design and Build Quality

Everything you’ve come to expect from an A50 headset is present in this Gen 5 version. The build quality of both the headset and base station remains unchanged, except for the ports at the back, which have decreased from 7 to 4. This means that the base station is slightly lighter than the A50 X base station, but this does not compromise the build quality of these visually stunning units.

 

With the market-leading design quality of the ASTRO A50 X headset, it makes perfect sense that everything remains exactly where it is. The PlaySync and Bluetooth functions are still included, along with the volume rocker on the side.

 

The microphone used in this headset is also the same as that on the A50 X. The quality of this microphone is UNRIVALED compared to other headset microphones on the market. More on that to follow.

 

If you’re unfamiliar with the A50 series headset layout, here’s a brief overview of what to expect from this particular Gen 5 model. The microphone is positioned on the left side of the headset. Unfortunately, it cannot be removed, but there’s a reason for that. In our experience, this microphone employs technology that positions itself as a market leader. Previous headsets had usable microphones, but they typically produced the classic “headset mic” sound, the kind you often hear in COD lobbies before you have to mute them immediately. However, this model and the A50 X headset feature a state-of-the-art microphone with a groundbreaking 48 kHz capability that delivers high-resolution, natural broadcast-quality sound.

Mic test demo

The adjustable headband and soft ear cups are carried over from the previous generation - so you can be sure of a comfortable fit even over longer periods of use, making it great for marathon gaming sessions - or charity streams.

 

Also, if you have an A50 gen 4 mod kit - don’t worry, they’re compatible with the A50 gen 5.

Audio Quality

The A50 Gen 5 has a significant increase in audio quality over the previous generation, largely down to the audio drivers. The old A50 headset packed 40mm neodymium drivers whilst the new A50 X’s audio drivers utilise PRO-G GRAPHENE - a breakthrough material that helps to provide improved audio clarity.

 

When it comes to gaming, audio quality is CRUCIAL! You can’t be in a Battle Royale and have tinny, inaudible sounds coming through your headset. You won’t have a clue about your surroundings, and before you know it, you’re back in the lobby. This Gen 5 headset is a significant upgrade from the Gen 4 models and a huge leap from the A40s. Utilizing PRO-G GRAPHENE, a groundbreaking material for audio clarity, detail, and spatial accuracy, Graphene is considerably stiffer than standard audio drivers, which means no warping or bending, even as the game audio intensifies.

 

The Graphene diaphragm features a unique live edge design that allows it to move more freely and quickly than a conventional fixed edge driver. This results in magnificently immersive game audio that is also precise for split-second decision-making.

 

In general, this means that if you hear someone or something in a specific situation and your brain indicates they’re coming from behind you, you can be entirely confident that this is true. This is, of course, assuming you’re not playing a Battle Royale with frustrating audio cues. We’re looking at you, PUBG/Call of Duty/Fortnite/.

 

The ASTRO Series headsets have always had deep, punchy bass, which ensures that explosions and bangs carry the necessary weight. Shooters fans of any genre can continue to enjoy this on the A50 Gen 5.

Wireless Performance

Like the Astro A50 X headset, the gaming audio transmitted through 24-bit LIGHTSPEED wireless is uncompressed and free from distractions. Designed for both casual social gamers and elite competitive players, LIGHTSPEED sets the standard for wireless gaming and sound performance across the audio spectrum.

 

The main difference between the two units, however, is that this Gen 5 unit does NOT feature the 2.1 Audio/Visual passthrough, because as we previously mentioned the unit lacks any HDMI ports on the back. This isn’t a downgrade in any way, shape, or form when it comes to playing games through this unit, as 24-bit LIGHTSPEED audio is still present in this device - it’s just a case of knowing if the Visual passthrough important to you, if it isn’t then this is a solid investment… if it is, then it’s probably worth looking at the A50 X instead. It costs a little more but you’re paying for extra features.

 

Actually let's take a closer look at that right…

Audio PlaySync vs Video PlaySync

PlaySync is one of the coolest features on both the ASTRO A50 Gen 5 and the ASTRO A50 X headsets. This allows you to switch your gameplay input over to another source at the touch of a button… but the way it works is actually a little different on both headsets.

 

First up, let’s take a quick look back at the A50 X… This has a type of PlaySync called PlaySync Video, which is especially useful if you’re looking for a wireless - full surround sound - headset and plan to use it in a living room or TV sorta setup.

 

You’ll notice the base station has HDMI ports - as well as USBC ports. This is what allows the headset’s PlaySync functionality to control your gameplay picture as well as your audio. So, if I’m using an A50 X headset to route both my PlayStation and my Xbox to my TV then I can switch both video and audio at the touch of a button. You just plug all of your consoles into your base station, then just run the single HDMI cable from the base station to your TV. no need to reach for the remote and switch your TV’s source from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2 when you want to jump from one console to the other, you control it all from one button press on your headset from the comfort of your couch, armchair, LazyBoy or whatever you sit on whilst you game on the big TV.

 

Now, let’s compare that with how things work with the A50 Gen 5.

 

First up, if you take a look at the back of the base station, you’ll instantly notice that those HDMI ports are gone. That’s because this headset isn’t computing the way the game looks on your screens - the A50 Gen 5 focuses solely on taking care of your game’s sound. To do that, this headset uses PlaySync Audio.

 

If the A50 X is suited to the big TV setup, then the A50 Gen 5 is more suited to a battlestation environment.

Every battlestation is different… Mine has 2 PCs, 4 screens and 2 consoles - and to make it even more complex, I also use a HDMI splitter in there too… the point being it’s kinda messy from a one size fits all standpoint. If anything, it’s proven to be borderline impossible to make one thing fit all battlestations - but that’s where the A50 Gen 5 might just have the edge over the A50 X.

 

The fact that it only deals with audio means it can be a little more flexible. Let’s say you have a couple of consoles running through a capture device and want to switch sources - you just switch your audio to match what you’re viewing with the PlaySync button. Or, let’s get a little more complex… Let’s say you want to load up your PC on your main screen, then switch over to the PlayStation on your second screen for some Pro Clubs - AND THEN jump over to the Xbox on your 3rd screen for a few hours of Fallout… Well, it’s easy to do that with the A50 Gen 5. You just use the PlaySync button on your headset to choose which one you want to listen to, and you can then even keep an eye on the other inputs on the other screens (which is something you can’t do on the A50 X). If something exciting happens on another screen, you can just use your PlaySync button to skip back. It’s super easy.

 

The names are pretty self evident once you understand that - if the PlaySync function changes what you can see on screen it’s PlaySync Video, if it just changes what you can hear it’s PlaySync Audio.

Battery Life

When it comes to major game releases and blockbuster titles, you can expect to immerse yourself in those experiences without the worry of your headset running out of battery! To put things into perspective, previous generations of wireless headsets typically lasted up to around 16 hours. However, this headset can endure a full 24 hours at approximately 78dB. How noisy is 78dB, you might ask? It’s loud... It’s about the same dB as your household vacuum cleaner, or hoover for our American audience. Imagine having a running vacuum cleaner strapped to your head… yeah, that’d be loud - well this headset can do that - for 24 hours… but we wouldn’t recommend it for the sake of your ears, but y’know, you could.

 

The likelihood of you using it at 78dB for extended periods is incredibly slim, so keeping it around 60dB (similar to the volume of a typical conversation or that rainfall track you enjoy listening to when falling asleep!) would be the sweet spot. With that in mind, you might even be able to extract even more battery life from the headset and extend your usage time without needing to recharge after 24 hours!

 

Let’s be totally honest with ourselves though. We’re going to game for around 3-4 hours at the end of the evening and then slot it right back into the magnetic base station to charge up ready for the next 3-4 hour session, whenever that may be!

Software

By now, you should be quite familiar with what the Logitech G HUB entails. Since its early access launch in 2016, every Logitech G Premium product since has been linked to the G HUB app, whether through your phone or PC, allowing you to customise nearly everything you need through this app.

 

If you’re an older ASTRO user you might be used to the ASTRO Command Center app - well you can forget that now, the ASTRO series has been absorbed into the wider Logitech G tech ecosystem.

 

It’s genuinely a really clean, and simple to use app too. For keyboards, you can personalise your colour scheme for the key backlight and add macros to specific keys to trigger multi-action prompts in various games or on your home desktop.

 

For your headset, you can manage EQ presets or delve into the parametric EQ. Take advantage of enhanced microphone resolution and fine-tune broadcast-quality vocal sound while controlling your environment with noise reduction.

 

All these customisation options at your fingertips? Simply incredible.

Price and Value

Now, when it comes to the value of a product that is completely at the discretion of the end user.

 

For example, This ASTRO A50 Gen 5 headset comes in at ÂŁ289.99 RRP, whereas the Astro A50 X retails for ÂŁ359.99 - which is a huge ÂŁ70 difference. Both of these products are at the premium end of the ASTRO headset range, and for VERY good reason - you just need to decide which one is for you.

 

If you’re seeking cutting-edge tech, breakthrough audio performance, top-tier build quality, and the ability to use it across all your devices, then both of these units are worth every penny.

 

The differences come from specific user needs. If you want an all-in-one solution that covers your living room use with HDMI 2.1 audio pass-through, then the A50 X is definitely a great shout. If you're a gamer - or perhaps even a content creator - with your audio routed through desktop apps like Logitech G’s Mixline then, for £70 less, the ASTRO A50 Gen 5 will certainly provide you with peace of mind and a premium quality feel every time you put that headset on your head!

Conclusion

When all is said and done, the ASTRO A50 Gen 5 is a world-class, market-leading BEHEMOTH of a headset that provides superior audio quality for any use. Like with every headset you've owned before, you may always wish for that little extra feature or a bit more control over the sounds delivered to your ears; this headset excels at overcoming every hurdle you might have encountered previously.

 

The only negative I can find is similar to the A50 X and that is that there’s no line in or out ports for audio on the base station, but there’s always a creative way to work around that like we did in our A50 X video.

 

Whether you’re seeking the best immersion possible in your favorite game or the convenience of pro-grade, broadcast-quality audio built into your headset instead of relying on a desktop microphone, this headset delivers in SPADES!

 

For the TL;DR, here are a few key reasons to choose the ASTRO A50:

 

  • Cross-platform usability across your favorite devices  
  • It’s ÂŁ70 cheaper than the ASTRO A50 X, which shares much of its DNA with this unit  
  • The G-PRO GRAPHENE audio drivers provide audio quality like nothing else on the market  
  • Premium AAA quality and durability  

 

And a pro-grade, studio broadcast microphone integrated into the headset 

While the ASTRO A50 Gen 5 may cost you just under £290, we believe this headset will be the lynchpin of your household for every gaming occasion. It’s easy to see why the gaming landscape trusts ASTRO products, from esports tournaments to everyday use, as they consistently deliver the best performance for any occasion.

 

That’s it from us. If you’re looking to pick it up, don’t forget to use code ICECREAM on all Logitech and Logitech G products.

 

If you have any questions, let us know at our socials… and until next time. STAY FROSTY.

 

Don't forget you can get 10% off every Logitech G order by using code: "ICECREAM" at checkout - or by using our tracking link below.

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