Astro A50 Wireless (Gen 4): A Love Letter to Convenience and Sound? Or a Missed Opportunity?

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks with the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4, and it has been an interesting journey. This headset sits at a premium price point—around $300—and when I first put it on, I immediately knew this wasn’t some middle-of-the-road gaming gear. It promises wireless freedom, excellent audio, and hours of uninterrupted gaming. But here’s the question I kept asking myself: Does it really live up to that price, or is it one of those cases where the reputation outweighs the product?

Over the course of my testing, I’ve used the A50 for everything from intense FPS sessions in Call of Duty: Warzone to more laid-back, story-driven games like Horizon Forbidden West. I even wore it through a couple of Netflix binges to see how it holds up for non-gaming activities. Below, I’ll walk through what it was like living with this headset.

Design: Sleek with Some Clever Touches

When it comes to design, the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4 manages to find a sweet spot between function and flair. It’s not dripping with RGB or aggressive angles—thankfully—but it still looks unmistakably like a high-end gaming headset. The black-and-gold finish on the PlayStation variant I used is subtle but stylish. What I loved right off the bat was the tubular frame, which gives the headset a nice structure while keeping things relatively light.

One smart design feature is the measuring markers on the adjustable headband. It seems like a small touch, but it made it easier to quickly adjust the headset to the exact fit every time I put it on. However, the headband padding is a bit firm—something I noticed about two hours into my first gaming session. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something I found myself wishing was just a tad softer.

The base station deserves some credit, too. It’s not just a charging dock but also acts as the brain of the headset, handling the wireless connection and EQ profiles. I found the LED indicators on the base station to be super handy—they show battery life, platform settings, and active EQ presets. The only downside is that the base station is platform-specific—you need one for PlayStation and another for Xbox. This is an odd choice in a world where more and more accessories aim for cross-platform compatibility.

Comfort: Just Right for Some, Heavy for Others

Comfort is always subjective, but here’s my honest take: The Astro A50 Wireless is comfortable for most sessions, but it’s not quite the “set it and forget it” kind of headset. At 380 grams, it’s heavier than some of the other wireless headsets I’ve tried, like the SteelSeries Arctis 7. For me, the weight was noticeable, especially during longer gaming marathons. I found myself taking short breaks just to give my neck and head a breather.

However, the ear cups are a saving grace. The memory foam padding wrapped in breathable fabric kept my ears cool, even after hours of gaming. I never felt that annoying, sticky warmth that some leatherette ear cushions tend to create. If you’re planning on wearing the headset for extended periods, the breathable material is a huge plus.

Performance: A Mixed Bag for Audiophiles

The sound performance on the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4 is undoubtedly solid, but it comes with some quirks. Let’s start with the good: The Dolby Audio support and DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound deliver a nice sense of depth and directionality. When I was playing Call of Duty: Warzone, I could easily track enemy movements based on subtle audio cues, which gave me an edge in firefights.

But—and this is where things get tricky—the sound profile can feel a little bloated at times. Specifically, I found the bass to be a bit too heavy, even with the EQ set to the default “Flat” preset. Explosions and gunfire sounded great, but when I switched to listening to some music, the bass overpowered the mids and highs. It’s not a dealbreaker for gaming, but if you’re an audiophile looking for a perfectly balanced sound profile, this headset might not hit the mark.

Usability: Smooth Setup, but Software Could Use Work

Setting up the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4 was painless. The headset pairs effortlessly with the base station, and I appreciated the plug-and-play convenience when switching between my PS5 and PC. However, you do need the Astro Command Center software to unlock the full potential of the headset, and that’s where things got a little frustrating.

The Command Center app gives you control over EQ settings, microphone adjustments, and firmware updates, but the interface feels clunky. Navigating it took more effort than I would have liked—it’s one of those apps that you have to wrestle with to get everything set just right. Once I found the settings I liked, though, the customization options were great.

Battery Life: Just Enough for Most Sessions

The 15-hour battery life on the Astro A50 Wireless is respectable, though not groundbreaking. In practice, I found it reliable for daily gaming sessions, but I did need to charge it every couple of days. The auto shut-off feature is a nice touch—it helps conserve battery by turning off the headset when it’s idle for a while. However, it’s not as convenient as the replaceable batteries you get with the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

Pros:

• Excellent surround sound with Dolby and DTS support.
• Comfortable ear cups with breathable memory foam padding.
• Base station acts as a charging dock and wireless hub.
• Decent microphone performance with good voice isolation.
• Reliable 15-hour battery life with auto shut-off.

Cons:

• Bass-heavy sound profile may not suit everyone.
• Firm headband padding could be uncomfortable over time.
• Platform-specific base station limits cross-console use.
• Astro Command Center software could be more user-friendly.
• Heavier weight might not be ideal for long sessions.

Final Thoughts: Is the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4 Worth It?

After spending significant time with the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4, I can say it’s a strong contender in the premium gaming headset market—but it’s not perfect. The sound quality and wireless performance are great for gaming, but the bass-heavy audio and firm headband might turn off some users.

If you’re looking for customization options and reliable wireless performance, this headset is worth considering. But if you need something lighter or prefer replaceable batteries, you might want to explore other options, like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. At $300, it’s a serious investment—but if sound immersion and convenience are your priorities, the Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4 might just be what you need.