The A50 and Arctis Pro Wireless are two high-performing wireless headphones that have received wide acclaim from gamers around the world.
Whilst the Arctis Pro Wireless turns heads with its incredible audio performance with elegant design, the Astro A50 offers comfort and convenience to the fullest.
In this article, differences in the Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless will be laid out to compare which headphone is best suitable for you.
Astro A50 summary
The Astro A50 is high functioning and versatile headphones that can be used with convenience and trust. With these headphones on, gamers will experience and stylish and comfortable gaming adventure. It uses 5 GHz wireless technology which can cover up to 30 feet distance, and fully supports Wi-Fi. Featuring the Dolby Atmos 7.1 surround sound and Astro base station transmitter with over 15 hours of battery life, the Astro A50 is a complete pleasure to gamers.
Pros
- Immersive surround sound
- Comfortable to wear
- Impressive battery life
- Versatile compatibility
Cons
- Connection issues in the base station
- Bulky to use
Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless Summary
Manufactured by the reputed brand Steelseries, the high-end gaming headset- the Arctis Pro Wireless wows us with its sleek and modern design, Dual Wireless Technology, and excellent audio offered by DTS Headphone: X v 2.0. Thanks to the High-Resolution speaker drivers, the arctic pro wireless outperforms other headphones in its category.
These stellar headphones feature a retractable microphone of great quality, earpads made of weave for a comfortable gaming journey, and a base station for instant charging. If you are searching for comfortable and fashionable headphones that can make gaming absolutely wonderful, these headphones are just right for you.
Pros
- Excellent audio performance
- Airweave fabric earpads
- Strong exterior
- Replaceable parts
Cons
- No ChatMix thumb wheel on the earcups
- Lacks bass
- Expensive
A detailed comparison between Astro a50 vs. Arctis Pro Wireless
In this segment, we will be comparing the Astro a50 and Arctis Pro Wireless in detail, feature by feature.
Comparison Table: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Sound Performance: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless
Both the gaming headphones are excellent performers of audio no doubt, but there are differences in the way the sound which may not be that noticeable in plain hearing.
Firstly, if we compare the technical specifications of the Astro 50 vs. Arctis Pro Wireless, we see that the Arctis Pro has a wider frequency response (10-40000 Hertz). The sound quality is extremely detailed, with the highs and mids sounding bright and clear. There is plenty of bass present, which is essential for the booms in gaming music and the loud, thrilling sounds of gunshots.
On the other hand, the Astro A50 focuses more on the lows, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the highs. Whilst the Steelseries Arctis Pro offers more of a natural sound, the A50 has a push in the high end. The high frequencies can sound very shrill and take away the natural sound to it sometimes, but as long as you are able to hear your teammates communicate to you whilst an explosion goes on in the game you’re all good to go.
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With the Astro A50 having a higher sensitive rating than Arctis Pro, it emits sound louder. The Arctis Pro is also more efficient to power up since it has a lower impedance rating than the Astro A50. When it comes to audio controls, the Arctis Pro includes ChatMix controls which can be used to balance the volume during the game whereas the A50 includes a two-in-one transmitter.
Another important factor that makes the Arctis Pro Wireless better than the A50 is its inclusion of 7.1 surround sound, which offers an impactful and immersive gaming experience. The software that the headphones use is also important in determining their audio performance. The Arctis Pro Wireless uses DTS Headphone:X version 2.0, which is much better than its competitor that uses Dolby Atmos.
From comparing the two gaming headsets, it is evident that the Arctis Pro Wireless performs better in terms of sound.
Design: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless
The over-ear gaming headphones are both stunners when it comes to design. Whilst the Arctis Pro Wireless offers traditional monochrome black and white colors, the Astro A50 has a contemporary approach, coming in combinations of black with gold and black with grey.
The Steelseries Arctis Pro sparkles elegantly in its sophisticated exterior. It is made of lightweight aluminum steel, which makes it even better. Its design includes an adjustable headphone and retractable microphone with matte black plastic on the earcups. There’s also a wireless station that features connectivity ports and volume options and can be connected to the computer.
On the contrary, the Astro A50 is more lavish in terms of design and catches your attention right away. Whilst its competitor has a retractable mic, the Astro A50 has a microphone that cannot be separated but rather folded. It also has a base station that can be used for charging.
Needless to say, I feel more drawn to the sleek and sophisticated design of the Arctis Pro Wireless. The Astro A50 looks a bit too mechanical and bulky for my liking.
Durability: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless
When it comes to choosing between metal and plastic, there is always a tendency to moving towards metal since it offers more robustness.
For the very same reason, the Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless won in terms of durability. It is composed of lightweight aluminum and steel, which means that even under strong force, it can still hold itself. With the Astro A50 being built of plastic, it gives away a scope of suspicion on how much strength it has to withstand force.
Comfort: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Tie
The Arctis Pro Wireless is quite comfortable gaming headphones. Their headband which includes a ski-google elastic strap can be adjusted to fit comfortably around the head. The earcups, which are large in size, spacious and thick to cover the ears well, are made of air weave fabric that is very breathable.
Much like the Arctis Pro Wireless, the Astro A50 is also very comfortable. Although the ear cushions are a little less soft than the arctic pro, it has more breathability and can keep ears cool in prolonged use.
Both headphones are similarly comfortable since they are built of high-quality earpads and adjustable headbands.
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Microphone: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Astro A50
Both the Astro A50 and the Arctis Pro have microphones connected to the headphone, which is very crucial for gaming.
The Steelseries Arctis Pro has a bidirectional microphone that uses ClearCast noise canceling. Since the microphone is bidirectional, it picks up sound from the player’s surroundings, which eventually means that the vocals won’t be as clear. However, the microphone has the advantage of being retractable.
The microphone on the Astro A50 is unidirectional, on the other hand. This feature ensures voice isolation, making the vocals extremely clear and precise. However, one setback about the microphone is that it features a “flip-to-mute” option instead of being retractable.
Connections and Controls: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Astro A50
The Astro A50 features a base station whereas the Arctis pro features both base station and USB options.
The controls that are available in A50 include a mute button, a headphones volume control, audio mode control, and a multi-function button for controlling music and phone call. On the other hand, the Steelseries Arctis Pro has a mic mute control option, volume control, power button, and Bluetooth button control.
Whilst the Arctis Pro Wireless has the advantage of USB controls, the Astro A50 has more control options that make gaming easier.
Battery Life: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Astro A50
From the specifications, we can see that the Astro A50 can last up to 15 hours, whereas the Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless goes up to 20 hours. Although these numbers may make it seem like Arctis Pro takes the lead in terms of battery life, that is not the case.
The Arctis Pro Wireless has two batteries that each can hold charge up to 10 hours, hence combined making its battery life 20 hours. These batteries, when low in charge, can be taken out and charged using the base station.
However, in the case of the Astro A50, these headphones stay on charge for a longer time. The base station of the Astro A50 is definitely much better in terms of charging. Once you got the batteries charge, you won’t have to worry about charging them for a long time. Since getting the batteries removed and charging them frequently can become cumbersome, it helps if the batteries remain charged for a long period of time.
Compatibility: Astro A50 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Winner: Astro A50
The Astro A50 headphone is compatible with PC, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One. The Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless gaming headphone is compatible with PC, Mac, PS4, and PS4 Pro. The A50 is compatible with Xbox whereas the Arctis Pro Wireless is not. This makes the A50 more versatile to use.
What to look for when buying gaming headphones?
Before getting yourself a pair of headphones suited for gaming, here are some things that you should consider:
Gaming headphones or gaming headsets?
You might think that gaming headphones and gaming headsets are interchangeable terms. But you’d be surprised to know that these are quite different.
Gaming headphones are just like an ordinary pair of stereo headphones that you use to listen to music. The only difference is that they have some extra features (such as surround sound, accurate detail retrieval) that make them special for gaming. Another important feature is that these headphones come with a separate mic, unlike most audiophile headphones.
Gaming headsets are more suited to gaming. These have a retractable built-in microphone and special gaming features such as virtual surround sound, on-the-fly game configuration, and so on. To simplify, gaming headsets can be used professionally for gaming purposes only.
Wired vs wireless headphones
Wired headphones are perfect for gaming on the PC. These can be connected with the regular 3.5 mm connector or a USB.
Wireless headphones can allow more convenience in moving around and can be used if you’re gaming on a console. However, they can be quite difficult to manage if the plan is to play for longer hours since they need to be charged.
Microphone quality
Having a microphone with a headphone is a key essential for players of games such as CSGO and Valorant which require communicating with teammates. Mics can be unidirectional or omnidirectional.
Unidirectional mics ensure that the sound being transmitted is in one direction- that is, it focuses on your vocals. Omnidirectional picks up sounds from different directions in your surroundings. Generally, a unidirectional mic is more suitable for gaming.
You should check for some properties of the microphone before getting the gaming headphone. Boom microphones usually provide better voice quality and have noise cancellation features. Also, check for a convenient mute function for privacy.
Do the Headphones Offer Surround Sound?
Headphones can have stereo sound, surround sound, or three-dimensional sound.
Audiophile headphones- the ones that are used for listening to music- have stereo sound in them. A surround sound manipulates the audio to make it seem like it’s coming from multiple speakers.
Most of the gaming headphones have to surround sound incorporated in them. This means that there are multiple drivers in each earpad to ensure that you get an immersive audio experience.
There are different varieties of surround sound such as Dolby 7.1, Windows Sonic, and DTS:X 2. If you’re playing FPS games, surround sound can be an essential feature since it will allow you to identify the position of your enemy.
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Are the headphones comfortable?
Comfort is key to a happy gaming experience.
Gaming requires patience and time. If you will be wearing headphones for a lengthy period of time, your ears need some love! You have to pick the headphone such that it hugs your ears comfortably.
Therefore, we suggest that you try out the headphone once before buying them. Notice the material that the earpads are made of. Sometimes the padding may not be enough and may feel uncomfortable. The headband should also be checked to be adjustable so that it does not clamp on to your head too tight.
Are the parts replaceable?
It is only natural for headphones to wear off after prolonged use.
Good thing is, some headphones have the option of replaceable parts such as microphones, earpads, and headbands. Getting such headphones is cost-effective- since it’s better to replace the broken parts instead of spending your money on a new one.
Alternative Product
Steelseries Arctis 9x
The Arctis 9X is a popular portable gaming headphone that is compatible with Xbox One. The built quality of the headphone will certainly impress you it is quite comfortable over-ears and have a balanced sound profile. Nevertheless, they fail to minimize the background noise, and their audio delivery is not quite stable for some users.
Pros
- Great microphone
- 20 hrs battery life
- Comfortable
- Xbox themed design
- Graphic Equalizer + available
Cons
- Only can be used for Xbox
- Not compatible with PS4
Final Words
As we can see from the comparison made between the two gaming headsets, they have very close competition. Both the headphones are great choices for any gamer, but there are of course individual benefits and drawbacks associated with them.
In conclusion, the Astro A50 has more convenience in use because of its base station designed for charging. They are also very comfortable to wear. Whereas the Arctis Pro Wireless just wins hearts with its excellence in audio performance.
But which one should you go for?
If you want a high-quality gaming headphone that is both comfortable and offers great audio quality, then the Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless is the right choice for you.
However, if you want a headphone with a 7.1 surround sound technology and a unidirectional noise-canceling microphone, then the Astro A50 might be a better option.
Both the Astro A50 and Steelseries Arctis Pro are excellent gaming headphones. If you still cannot decide which one to go for, we would suggest the Steelseries Arctis Pro because it will certainly not disappoint you!
Frequently Asked Questions
This part is very important if you are new to this realm. At first, you need to see some real-life problems. Plus, the basic questioner and its solution is a blast. Let’s enjoy the freeride to this problem-solving section.
Who are the Astro A50 headphones for?
The Astro A50 headphones are particularly suited for gamers who are searching for wireless headphones that work on the PC and console and do not require frequent charging.
Who is the Arctis Pro Wireless for?
The Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless is specially designed for gamers who are looking for high-end headphones with the superior built quality and excellent audio performance.
How do I set up the Arctis Pro Wireless to my PS4?
Setting up the Arctis Pro Wireless to the PS4 is very quick and easy. All you have to do is connect the USB audio cable from the wireless transmitter to the front of the PS4 and the optical audio cable from the wireless transmitter to the back of the PS4.
On the wireless transmitter, click the scroll wheel and then choose the options PS4 followed by the source.
To set the PS4 Audio, go to settings -> sound and screen -> audio output setting
Select: Primary output port -> Digital out (optical) and Audio Format (Priority) -> Biststream (Dolby)
Can the Astro A50 be charged while gaming?
Yes, the Astro A50 can be charged while gaming. Just use the USB charge port and connect it to the base station.
What is included with the A50 wireless headphones?
The A50 wireless headphones come with packaging that includes a USB cable, a TOSLINK optical cable, and a base station.
Which is better between Steelseries Arctis 7 and Arctis Pro Wireless?
The Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless is better than the Steelseries Arctis 7 because:
- It has a higher frequency range
- Better sound pressure level/ sensitivity
- It has higher microphone sensitivity
- Removable battery
Can multiple A50 headsets be paired with one single base station?
No, only one headset can be paired with a single base station.
How to pair the Astro A50 to a standalone base station?
The A50 Wireless Headset is not console-specific and can be paired with either version of the Base Station. Simply drop the headset into the base station you want to pair it with.
Freelance tech journalist & author soundboxlab.com Read More
