The Astro A30 Wi-fi gaming headset is one other set aiming to be that one-stop answer; that do-it-all headset for all platforms and all makes use of. It is a noble pursuit and one that might plug a variety of gaps, serving players exceptionally effectively.
If the A30 Wi-fi nails it, even with a price ticket of $250/£230, it actually could possibly be a high set – and that is earlier than we even get to factoring in that superior Astro gaming audio pedigree. After spending a number of weeks with the headset – and I would have appreciated to have revealed this sooner – the indicators are nice. This actually could possibly be one of many best possible gaming headsets (opens in new tab) of the entire 12 months, and positively among the best wi-fi gaming headsets cash can purchase.
Design & Options
It is instantly obvious that the Astro A30 Wi-fi has every kind of situations in thoughts when its design and construct – and likewise a change of aesthetic from earlier kinds. Gone is the spiky, hard-edge, rectilinear, and gamer-y aesthetic of the likes of the Astro A50 and others that got here earlier than. Now there are curved and softened corners that edge the headset towards a headphone really feel. Do not get me flawed, that is nonetheless very a lot an Astro system, however the change in method to the aesthetic is welcome. Obtainable in white or navy blue, the A30 is enticing in each and would not look misplaced in your head when you’re on a prepare, sitting at your PC, or when you’re slouching on the couch. And you could possibly put on the A30 effortlessly for hours in every of these settings; the design is strong and durable whereas additionally being comparatively light-weight, and really snug.
Important information
Design: Over-ear, closed again
Kind: 2.4Ghz Lightspeed wi-fi (USB); Bluetooth; wired 3.5mm
Drivers: 40mm
Microphone: Twin mics: growth and built-in
Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Change, Cell
Connectivity: 2.4Ghz wi-fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux
Impedance: 32 ohm
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Examined on PC, PS5, and cellular.
Onboard controls are just about as they need to be however housed barely in a different way. The ‘extra regular’ stuff is roofed merely: the ability button is on the again on the high of the appropriate cup, the Bluetooth button under that, and the mic mute button is on the rear of the left cup. Then issues get ‘distinctive’. The remainder of the controls are constructed right into a joystick on the underside of the appropriate cup. That is largely a hit, squishing in quantity up/down, sport/chat audio stability into the instructions of the joystick, and the button press of the identical characteristic then acts as a controller for music and calls when the Bluetooth connection is engaged. That is all neat and tidy and works very effectively certainly.
There are additionally two mics on board – or relatively two mic setups; a removable growth mic for play, and built-in mics for calls. That is wonderful flexibility and enhances the flexibility and suppleness that the headset affords.
Elsewhere, the plates on the aspect of every cup are detachable, being connected by magnets. These do not speak in confidence to provide an ingenious battery answer just like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional does, admittedly, however that does price a good bit extra. No, these plates are extra to be able to customise the look of your A30 and personalise it. A pleasant contact.
Efficiency
Astro has at all times given us a few of the finest gaming audio going, however is that misplaced within the A30 Wi-fi because it makes an attempt to be a do-it-all headset? No. Very a lot no.
That wealthy gaming audio is entrance and centre of the headset’s efficiency, and it actually can flip its hand to all of the platforms it is suitable with too.
I examined the headset (offered and packaged as a PC and PS5 headset, however the A30 can simply be used with something) throughout each of those platforms. On PC, Crimson Lifeless 2’s environments have been as lovely as I would ever ‘heard’ it, from chicken sounds to rivers, to distant old school gunfire. In the meantime, the dialogue and barking of models that appeared in video games like Complete Warfare: Troy, and Daybreak of Warfare III have been crisp and clear above some other cacophonies.
A Plague Story: Requiem was a specific spotlight on PS5 too, with every rat squeak seemingly given its personal audio profile, whereas the creaks of wooden and timber, Amicia’s heavy and panicked respiratory, and the snap of her sling have been all unbelievable. Rainbow Six: Extraction was additionally a pleasure with the A30 balancing comms and sport audio superbly. There was by no means a time that my voice did not carry with out flaw to my teammates (the growth mic is wealthy and clear), nor a time once I could not be ready for enemies’ areas and actions given the detailed audio cues.
I made a customized EQ profile for Extraction through the Logitech G app, which enhanced the A30’s efficiency even additional. On account of that, I’ll say that utilizing the app is the easiest way to get essentially the most out of your A30. Even away from EQ profiles to mess about with, it is important to alter issues just like the aspect tone that was on by default (that was annoying me; no one desires to listen to their very own voice like that). And to be clear, it’s only the app – there isn’t any Astro Command Centre.
The choices within the Logitech G cellular app to alter EQ are literally fairly good, by the best way. They’re easy – solely that includes 5 sliders – however you’ll be able to recreate settings you’ll have used within the command heart and nonetheless implement your required modifications simply. After which it is equally straightforward to flick between profiles in case you change sport or media.
A supreme stage of efficiency, general, then, and one most befitting of the Astro identify, it doesn’t matter what you employ it for or the place you put on it – even taking the headset out on canine walks is a pleasure as music is blasted richly and superbly into your ears. Nonetheless, I’ll say one small disadvantage is that the built-in mics are solely OK; ok for calls and conferences at house, however perhaps not rather more (which is ok although – built-in mics can by no means actually examine to growth mics).
When it comes to use, the sounds and beeps do take some getting used to, however the joystick largely holds up as an effective way to mix controls. It is intuitive and simple to make use of along with your thumb or finger.
Must you purchase the Astro A30 Wi-fi?
I actually, actually just like the Astro A30 – as you’ll have guessed. It excels in each means, and the audio throughout all media is pretty much as good because it will get. Going wi-fi and likewise chucking in unbelievable performance and flexibility? Beautiful. The design is stylish and funky, the construct is strong, the customisation choices are a pleasant bonus, and the companion app is genuinely helpful. It is mainly a full home.
One tiny eyebrow-raiser for me, as an apart greater than something, is that, in follow, it is really a bit troublesome to pin down precisely which platform this headset is most at house with. It simply excels with all of them. For instance, the change away from the Astro Command Middle software program means it ‘loses’ a USP as a PC gaming headset considerably – however not its efficiency or pedigree on PC, in fact. The flip aspect of it having no ‘house platform’ is that it could simply be an ‘any platform’ headset – and that’s simply nice.
After I reviewed the Razer Barracuda Professional I actually thought I would discovered the one wi-fi headset, throughout platforms, to suggest to of us simply. Nonetheless, the Astro A30 Wi-fi has taken that mantle, and comfortably so. It is also cheaper than the Barracuda Professional. It is merely one of the best all-round wi-fi gaming headset I’ve reviewed in 2022 – most likely ever – and is a fully super headset that does all of it.
How we examined the Astro A30 Wi-fi
The Astro A30 Wi-fi was my on a regular basis headset for play and for work for one of the best half of some weeks.
On PlayStation 5, I examined the headset with common classes of Center Earth: Shadow of Warfare and A Plague Story: Requiem, whereas I additionally used it for a lot of hours of Rainbow Six: Extraction. These gave me a variety of audio profiles and sport sorts to expertise, in addition to guarantee I may put the microphone to the take a look at, garnering my buddies suggestions within the course of. On PC< I gave the headset a whirl in technique video games like Complete Warfare: Troy, futuristic action-y video games like Daybreak of Warfare III, and likewise a little bit of Crimson Lifeless 2 and Apex Legends.
Away from video games, I used the A30 for some conferences at work, and to hearken to background music whereas I wrote and edited. I additionally examined the Bluetooth performance and each mics for taking calls.
You possibly can learn extra about how we take a look at gaming headsets in addition to how we make all our suggestions within the full GamesRadar+ {Hardware} Coverage.
Examined on PC with a Razer Blade 15 laptop computer (opens in new tab) provided by Razer and with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer.
Bear in mind, the Astro A30 can be utilized as an Xbox Sequence X headset, and as a Nintendo Change headset too, so try these guides to see the way it compares.
