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NOT GOOD Verified purchase: Yes Condition: New 5 out of 5 stars by steve1951 Mar 11, 2019 Was just what I needed Great product Verified purchase: Yes Condition: New Additional site navigation About eBay Announcements Community Security Center Resolution Center Seller Information Center Policies Affiliates Help Contact Site Map Copyright 1995-2021 eBay Inc.

Once known exclusively for its high-end headsets, Astro spent the past few years carving a niche at the budget-friendly end of the market.

First there was the A10, delivering surprisingly great sound for only 60 (and earning our pick for best budget headset).

Then Astro followed up with the A20, for entry-level wireless.

Note: This review is part of our roundup of best gaming headsets.

Go there for details on competing products and how we tested them.

Like father, like son Astros billing this latest A40 as a brand-new generation, but I dont think the headsets actually changed.

This is, by all outward appearances, the same A40 Astro has been selling since at least 2016.

IDG Hayden Dingman The magnetic covers over the earcups have been tweaked slightly, I thinkbut thats essentially meaningless, given those covers are replaceable by the end-user, and come in a million different styles.

In any case, the new default covers have a smaller-type logo and less extraneous decoration.

Thats it Thats the one change (Maybe.) Otherwise, the A40 is essentially frozen in time.

And why not The A40 is an icon, especially the exposed metal rods that protrude through the headband.

Most of these edgy designs age out, but the A40 doesnt look dated yetwhich is not to say it wont eventually.

Astro still has a few years left though, and if ever there were a not-broke-dont-fix-it situation its the A40.

And the A40 still tops the competition in certain departments, even without a refresh.

Its one of the few headsets with a reversible microphonemeaning it can be plugged into either the left or right ear to suit your preference.

Ill personally never use that feature, and left-hand mics are so standardized I actually find the idea of a right-hand mic a bit unsettling.

HyperX and SteelSeries are on-par with Astro, and Logitech not far behind, but the A40 deserves credit all the same.

They might not be the best for warm environments, as they trap heat and also soak up sweat instead of wicking it away.

Here in San Francisco though Theyre soft, theyre breathable, and they dont irritate my beard.

That last point is very specific, sure, but let me reiterate for my other bearded readers: The A40s earcups are a minor miracle.

Astro could use a better wiring system though.

The 3.5mm hookup is towards the back of the left earcup, and while the cable stays out of the way it also has a tendency to rub against my neckespecially in cross-body situations, as when plugging into a PC on my right.

IDG Hayden Dingman I also wish Astro would put more effort into its built-in controls.

Astros very own wireless A50 is a model I wish other companies would emulate, with GameChat mixing (or chat-mix), volume, EQ, mute, and Dolby all easily accessible and relatively intuitive.

But on the A40 Theres a mute toggle on the cable and thats itnot even a volume wheel.

What Does A Mixamp Do