At first glance, the Astro A50 Gen 5 headset doesn’t seem all that different from previous iterations of this trusted line of gamer-focused gear. Fortunately, outside of the iconic design, the latest generation of the Astro A50 headset sports one standout feature that elevates it to the top. Ditching the HDMI video-switching capabilities of the A50 X, the Astro A50 Gen 5 instead features USB-C powered switching alongside Bluetooth, offering gamers and power users the ultimate in versatility.
Referred to as PLAYSYNC by Logitech/Astro, this technology allows users to switch effortlessly between device profiles by simply pressing a button on the A50 headset. Additionally, the Astro A50 Gen 5 headset supports simultaneous audio feeds, enabling users to, for instance, listen to music while gaming across different devices—but more on that later.
Out of the box, users will get the Astro A50 Gen 5 headset, the dock, a USB-C cable, and a QR code directing them to a quick start guide. For my review, I received the white variant of the Astro A50, though it’s also available in black. If you’ve used an Astro-branded headset in the past, you’ll know what to expect. For those who haven’t, the Astro A50s rank among the finest high-end gaming accessories available.
“PLAYSYNC technology allows users to switch between device profiles seamlessly, making the A50 Gen 5 incredibly user-friendly.”
For me, the standout highlight of the Astro A50 Gen 5’s build is the earcups, which feature a soft, plush material reminiscent of a comforter or sleepwear, making it the most comfortable headset I’ve used. One slightly less impressive area is the media control buttons on the right cup, which, while functional, could benefit from a textured or bumped accent to make the Bluetooth and audio switch toggles easier to distinguish.
The Astro A50 Gen 5 mic is also impressive, featuring a flexible wireframe design that feels both sturdy and adaptable, instilling confidence in its durability with continued use. On the topic of the mic, the Astro A50 Gen 5 continues the trend of providing rich, booming voice reproduction that exceeds expectations, sounding comparable to some dedicated mics on the market. Muting is elegantly done by simply lifting the mic to its vertical position, making it easy to disengage during a session.
Beyond the headset itself, the dock for the Astro A50 Gen 5 is similar to the A50X, forgoing the HDMI ports in favour of USB-C, which, in theory, should offer a comparable bandwidth capacity, delivering a sound experience similar to the A50X model.
“The A50 Gen 5 dock now requires its own power supply, which may pose a challenge for users with limited outlets.”
Unlike previous models, however, the docking station for the A50 Gen 5 now requires its own power supply, which may be an issue for some users, particularly if you’re adding it to an already full entertainment setup with multiple consoles and computers.
Although it comes with a single USB-C cable, which may pose a challenge for those wanting to connect more than one console from the start, the Astro A50 Gen 5 can also use a Bluetooth connection. Unfortunately, the Bluetooth functionality appears to be built into the docking station rather than the headset itself, meaning that despite the headset’s excellent music reproduction, the Astro A50 Gen 5 is limited to in-home use only.
Battery life is fairly standard at around 22 hours, but for a headset designed to be used with a dock, that’s more than acceptable. The headset can still be charged with a standard USB-C connection if away from the docking station. In terms of software, Logitech’s version of the Astro brand offers software that still has room to grow compared to what was previously available, but that said, it’s currently serviceable. The G HUB software is available on both PC and mobile devices (via Bluetooth), making it easy to adjust audio settings to your taste.
The sound quality of the Astro A50 Gen 5 is superb, offering a rich soundstage on par with my open-back daily drivers. The A50 provides a listening experience that’s excellent not only for detecting minute sounds, such as footsteps in video games, but also for general media consumption.
Finally, the ability to simultaneously listen to multiple audio sources using the Bluetooth dual audio setting is a game changer, especially for those who, like me, don’t subscribe to music streaming services—which seems to be the only way to play music on consoles such as the PlayStation 5. With the dual audio feature, I can start up my music library running on my Plex server through the Plexamp app on my phone while still connected to my PS5, making it easy to game while listening to my music or audiobooks.
