Calling all Astro (headset) users and experts

I just won a Best Buy gift card at work and I'm thinking of using it to find a replacement for my broken PlayStation Gold headset, but Astro's product line seems kind of confusing, so I'm hoping some of you here can help me out...

I get that they have two main models, the A40s (that are wired) and the A50s (wireless). The ones I am looking at are these A40 TRs. My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Also, do these plug into the usb port on the back of my console? Or into the controller? Or both?

If I at some point decide I want to use these with my Xbox One as well, is it as simple as just buying the Mixamp?

Any answers/advice/opinions anyone can give would be much appreciated, especially if you can think of any questions I should be asking but haven't.

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My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Yes, you need a mixamp.

Also, do these plug into the usb port on the back of my console? Or into the controller? Or both?

You don't use the controller at all. You plug the optical from the console into the mixamp, and run the USB from the mixamp to the console. Plug the headset into the console. If you are just using the headset for chat and not listening to the game, you can skip the optical cable. There is a dial on the mixamp for volume, and a mix between the game / chat audio.

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My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Yes, you need a mixamp.

Also, do these plug into the usb port on the back of my console? Or into the controller? Or both?

You don't use the controller at all. You plug the optical from the console into the mixamp, and run the USB from the mixamp to the console. Plug the headset into the console. If you are just using the headset for chat and not listening to the game, you can skip the optical cable. There is a dial on the mixamp for volume, and a mix between the game / chat audio.

Are you saying that if I bought this particular A40TR headset that it wouldn't work at all until I also bought the $129 mixamp? (Because the item description says its compatible with PS4, PS3 and Windows, and doesn't say anything at all about needing a mixamp)

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My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Yes, you need a mixamp.

Also, do these plug into the usb port on the back of my console? Or into the controller? Or both?

You don't use the controller at all. You plug the optical from the console into the mixamp, and run the USB from the mixamp to the console. Plug the headset into the console. If you are just using the headset for chat and not listening to the game, you can skip the optical cable. There is a dial on the mixamp for volume, and a mix between the game / chat audio.

Are you saying that if I bought this particular A40TR headset that it wouldn't work at all until I also bought the $129 mixamp? (Because the item description says its compatible with PS4, PS3 and Windows, and doesn't say anything at all about needing a mixamp)

The TR stands for 'Tournament-Ready' - those are their high-end 'Pro' cans. Yes, with a Mixamp you'll end up paying more for them than the regular A40s. :) (They sell them without a mixamp because a team might replace one piece before the other.)

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My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Yes, you need a mixamp.

Are you sure? I'm looking at the accessory cable with the inline mute button. If the end of the cable really is a 4 pole headphone jack then you should be able to just plug that right into your ps4 controller. I use something like this to connect my el-cheapo fatality headphones.

Edit: admittedly you will miss out on the niceties provided by the mixamp (pseudo surround sound, etc).

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My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Yes, you need a mixamp.

Are you sure? I'm looking at the accessory cable with the inline mute button. If the end of the cable really is a 4 pole headphone jack then you should be able to just plug that right into your ps4 controller. I use something like this to connect my el-cheapo fatality headphones.

Edit: admittedly you will miss out on the niceties provided by the mixamp (pseudo surround sound, etc).

Yeah, upon further research, it appears that I could use the headset just fine (on either platform even) without any mixamps - but that it will just be boring old stereo audio instead of the 7.1 surround sound...

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Edit: admittedly you will miss out on the niceties provided by the mixamp (pseudo surround sound, etc).

Yeah, upon further research, it appears that I could use the headset just fine (on either platform even) without any mixamps - but that it will just be boring old stereo audio instead of the 7.1 surround sound...

My headphone setup was just a quick hack so that I could play on my monitor in my office, and... it has become permanent (I miss my 7.1 surround sound). Now I'm starting to wonder if Santa needs to bring me a high-fidelity aural surprise. Hmmm....

Thanks. Jerk. ;-)

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I haven't used the A40s, but my A50s are fantastic. Amazing overall sound quality, none of the usual hiss/interference issues that I've had with other wireless sets. Only downside is a lack of mic-mute on the headset itself.

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I haven't used the A40s, but my A50s are fantastic. Amazing overall sound quality, none of the usual hiss/interference issues that I've had with other wireless sets. Only downside is a lack of mic-mute on the headset itself.

Push the mic into a vertical position (so it's parallel with the beginning of the headpiece), and it's muted.

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I haven't used the A40s, but my A50s are fantastic. Amazing overall sound quality, none of the usual hiss/interference issues that I've had with other wireless sets. Only downside is a lack of mic-mute on the headset itself.

Push the mic into a vertical position (so it's parallel with the beginning of the headpiece), and it's muted.

I had no idea O_o
Thanks for the tip!

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I haven't used the A40s, but my A50s are fantastic. Amazing overall sound quality, none of the usual hiss/interference issues that I've had with other wireless sets. Only downside is a lack of mic-mute on the headset itself.

Push the mic into a vertical position (so it's parallel with the beginning of the headpiece), and it's muted.

I had no idea O_o
Thanks for the tip!

Heh - it's not like it SAYS it anywhere on the headphones. :) (It might say it somewhere in the manual, but who reads manuals?) I think an Astro rep showed me that once. It's actually really convenient. (I say that because I usually want to mute the mic when I'm doing something ELSE with my mouth - talking on the phone, eating, etc - and getting it out of the way is pretty useful.)

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I haven't used the A40s, but my A50s are fantastic. Amazing overall sound quality, none of the usual hiss/interference issues that I've had with other wireless sets. Only downside is a lack of mic-mute on the headset itself.

Push the mic into a vertical position (so it's parallel with the beginning of the headpiece), and it's muted.

I had no idea O_o
Thanks for the tip!

Heh - it's not like it SAYS it anywhere on the headphones. :) (It might say it somewhere in the manual, but who reads manuals?) I think an Astro rep showed me that once. It's actually really convenient. (I say that because I usually want to mute the mic when I'm doing something ELSE with my mouth - talking on the phone, eating, etc - and getting it out of the way is pretty useful.)

I use the A50s but with the Microsoft chat adapter just for the mute button. It's much easier than having to reach up and move the microphone around. I mute myself quite often say if I open a can of soda or am going to cough or when my dog has a barking fit at something, so I vastly prefer having the button.

The microphone being muted when in the up position is pretty smart design, though.

I also didn't realize that until a few weeks after owning them. I'm sure it's in the manual (it's got to be right?), but I certainly don't remember seeing it. Although, to be fair, I was just looking at the manual to figure out how to pair the headset and the mixamp.

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If you have a full party of 6 you may not hear it over the rukus of your teammates (or in SRL, opponents).

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You do need a mixamp. This page shows you what works with PS4:

http://www.astrogaming.com/systems-playstation-4

So you'll need a headset plus a mixamp (the A50s come with a wireless mixamp built in). The good news is if you buy any of those options you just have to change which console it's plugged into and it should work.

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I just won a Best Buy gift card at work and I'm thinking of using it to find a replacement for my broken PlayStation Gold headset, but Astro's product line seems kind of confusing, so I'm hoping some of you here can help me out...

I get that they have two main models, the A40s (that are wired) and the A50s (wireless). The ones I am looking at are these A40 TRs. My first question is, what is the difference between the A40 TRs and the A40s? They have three different A40s listed, and it seems that the main difference in their prices is because some of them come with the Mixamp Pro, whereas these $149 A40 TRs I am looking at (probably?) do not come with a Mixamp. Does that sound accurate? Do I need a Mixamp?

Also, do these plug into the usb port on the back of my console? Or into the controller? Or both?

If I at some point decide I want to use these with my Xbox One as well, is it as simple as just buying the Mixamp?

Any answers/advice/opinions anyone can give would be much appreciated, especially if you can think of any questions I should be asking but haven't.

The new TR Mixamps are not compatible with both PS4 and Xbox One--they both use USB but the Astro guy told me Microsoft wouldn't let them make one that wasn't exclusive.

You have to buy this older one if you're going wired and you want it to work with both:

http://www.astrogaming.com/mixamp-gen2/MIXAMP-GEN2.html#start=1

PS4 uses USB, Xbox One does not.

I run my PS4 through my Xbox and one advantage that gives me is that I don't have to switch out the optical cable.

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Which is why I went Blackstar's route and bought a Sennheiser Game One. So far, no troubles except for what I think is a limitation on the Windows 10 Xbox App itself, not the headset.

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Which is why I went Blackstar's route and bought a Sennheiser Game One. So far, no troubles except for what I think is a limitation on the Windows 10 Xbox App itself, not the headset.

Agreed. It's confusing. I made ncsuDuncan wait for 20 minutes while I picked the brain of the guy at the Astro booth--that's how long it took for me to "get it." The third generation mixamps are fully digital, and the Xbox One version needs a special flavor to work. That's the upshot. My ancient A40s fell apart, and I went with upscale headphones and an add-on mic, but I still wanted a mixamp because it's a great little gadget and a viable mixer.

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The new TR Mixamps are not compatible with both PS4 and Xbox One--they both use USB but the Astro guy told me Microsoft wouldn't let them make one that wasn't exclusive.

You have to buy this older one if you're going wired and you want it to work with both:

http://www.astrogaming.com/mixamp-gen2/MIXAMP-GEN2.html#start=1

Kermit says it explicitly in this post, but it's easy to miss.

The "if you're going wired" is the critical bit.

The A50s work fine with both the PS4 and Xbox One (though it DOES need the little adaptor for XB1 chat).

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Interesting.... All of the A50s I've seen say specifically Xbox One or PS4 on them. I assumed that the mixamps that come with the A50s were platform-specific, but what you're saying is that I could buy any pair of A50s and they would work on either console?

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Yes! I'm using an Xbox A50 with my PS4 currently.

The only difference I could tell between them, other than colors, is the Xbox Version come with the chat cable.

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The A50s work fine with both the PS4 and Xbox One (though it DOES need the little adaptor for XB1 chat).

You can get a TurtleBeach cable (ouf of stock at the moment, but was only $11 when I got mine) that will go straight from the A50s to the new style controllers without needing the headset adapter and the crappy pigtail connector that comes with it. It's still worth having that chat adapter just to put the mute button back on the controller, though.

-Disciple

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I just did a bunch of research on this and landed on the A50s for compatibility and wireless.

The A50's will work with all consoles/PC/Mac no matter what version you buy, you just have to move the cables around. I ended up getting the Black/Yellow xbox ones because I liked the color and thought the extra chat cable for the original Xbox One controllers might be nice to have.

The new A40 TR's have specific mixamps for the consoles. So an Xbox One will not work on PS4 and vice-versa. Either will work on PC. This is because they wanted to eliminate the chat cable on the Xbox One, special Xbox specific hardware was added to the mixamp to accomplish this and it broke Playstation compatibility. The Xbox mixamps are white and the PS4 are black. Mixamps can be purchased separately, so if you bounce between consoles you can just pair the headset to the mixamp and be ready to go.

While difficult to find, there are last gen A40's with mixamp boxes, these work on all the different consoles by connecting the headset to the Xbox One controller with a cable. This allows you to use voice chat on Xbox One. Just beware that the A40's you see now are Xbox specific with a "mixamp" that connects to the controller.

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Calling all Astro (headset) users and experts (Off-Topic)