Astro’s A40 TR and eventually A50 line has been a personal favorite for close to a decade now for both its audio quality and I/O functionality. For streamers in particular, the A40/A50s have been great for monitoring multiple audio sources while also outputting audio to broadcasting software like OBS. Now, Astro has raised the bar with the introduction of the A50 X.

While not significantly different from the current Astro A50 headset, the A50 X are exciting for one main reason. Thanks to a series of new ports on the back of the wireless dock, the A50 X headset can switch between three gaming consoles' audio outputs with just the press of a button.

Astro A50 X Connectivity is Amazing

What that means is you will take an HDMI 2.1 cable and a USB-C cable from a PS5, an HDMI 2.1 cable and a USB-C cable from an Xbox Series X, and a USB-C cable from a PC and plug all of those directly into the A50 X’s wireless charging hub. No need for a secondary switcher or having to manually swap HDMI cables; everything plugs into the hub at the same time. Because the hub is doing a bit more work, it does need a dedicated power source, but from there, just the press of a button on the A50 X headset will cycle between the audio of those three platforms instantly and seamlessly. You also don’t need to use the headset for audio either; if the headset is docked, the hub will pass on both audio and video to the TV.

logitech astro a50 x gaming headset review

Crucially, though, the hub also offers up to 4K 120Hz passthrough and VRR support via a single HDMI 2.1 output. The PC works a little differently, since it’s just using audio output via USB, but for the PS5 and Xbox, the A50 X allows for connecting two platforms to a single HDMI 2.1 input on a TV. And while the HDMI cables are passing through the audio/video, that USB-C cable is pulling chat audio to the A50 X on a separate channel, allowing you to balance the mix between game and chat.

The early hints towards this larger feature have been part of the Astro line for a while, but to see it all come together and turn the A50 X into an audio/video switcher, alongside being an excellent headset, is very exciting. For many gamers, the Astro A50 X will be all they need for gaming audio.

Astro Consistently Delivers High-Quality Audio

While the audio/video switching is one of the biggest selling points for the Astro A 50 X headset, that alone wouldn’t make them worth the $379.99 price tag. Luckily, these are as premium as consumer-grade headsets can get, on top of those handy bells and whistles.

Logitech has paired its highest quality audio drivers with the versatility of the Astro brand to create a gaming headset that is second to none.

It starts first with the audio and the A50 X’s 40mm Graphene drivers. As a member of the Logitech family, Astro gets to take advantage of the same driver technology as the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed headset, another one of our favorites. Audio comes in crisp and clear without anything getting lost between the highs, mids, and lows. Dialogue and audio precision are other areas where the headset shines, making sure that every footstep or small audio detail comes through.

There’s also support for Dolby Atmos on Xbox and Sony’s 3D audio on PlayStation 5 – just another way the headset feels like it is trying to accommodate any user out there. Regardless of whether we were on PC, PS5, or Xbox, the A50 X’s were excellent at replicating the ambiance of that gaming experience. The A50 X’s were able to breathe life into Alan Wake 2’s eerie forests through their ability to fill the ominous silence with the subtlest of audio cues.

Alongside getting audio right, the Astro brand typically nails comfort. The A50 X’s are no exception, with minimal pressure on the head, enough space to comfortably wear glasses, and ear cushions that envelop the ear without putting any stress on it. Astro’s are on the larger size – some might say you look like an air traffic controller while wearing them – but that all feeds back into the audio reproduction and comfort.

Another benefit of being under Logitech is that Astro can offer a Lightspeed wireless connection between the A50 X’s hub and the headset. Low latency and better range are the key elements that make the Lightspeed connection great, and it’s nice to see the A50 X headset incorporate it now.

Pairing the headset with the G Hub app allows for even more customization through EQ settings and noise reduction thresholds but the A50 X's do genuinely sound great right out of the box. Astro/Logitech knows that there are audiophiles who love to really dial in their settings, though, and the option is appreciated.

astro a50 x headband
astro a50 x headset standing
astro a50 x left ear cup
astro a50 x microphone
astro a50 x right ear cup
astro a50 x swap button

There are so many little touches on the Astro A50 X that show the company has been careful to ensure that this latest headset has the widest compatibility and appeal yet. Support for simultaneous Bluetooth, for example, is something a lot of headsets are adding to allow for chatting with a Discord call while gaming, and now Astro is getting in on the action with the A50 X. The mic is also not some lackluster add-on that needs to be there because this is a gaming headset, but is a genuinely high-quality mic that sounds very good.

A history with Astro has already put the A50 X on our radar, but the headset still surpassed any expectations. It’s a personal preference thing, but the design of the Astro premium line is typically more comfortable, so having the Graphene drivers of the Logitech Pro X 2 in the form factor of the A50 is the best of both worlds. And for anyone who does a lot of multi-platform gaming, the hub becomes a versatile and valuable part of any entertainment setup. They sound good, they look good, and the designers didn’t skimp on any features – the Astro A50 X headset is going to be hard to beat.

The Astro A50 X Gaming Headset is available now for $379.99 but stock is limited. Game ZXC was provided a retail unit for this review.