The Astro A30 does have its limitations, no doubt. Yet, it’s another another indication that a new generation of gaming headphones is emerging, one that looks fantastic, sounds amazing, and can be used both at and away from your desk.
A sharp musical performance
If you want tremendous bass, don’t turn up the volume to its highest setting. The kick drum beats and bass synth notes sound full and powerful at roughly 70% loudness, traveling down into the lower frequencies, but still not approaching subwoofer-level rumbling. But, at maximum volume, digital signal processing (DSP) plainly intervenes and mutes that bass, rendering it weaker and more hollow-sounding than at lower volumes. The drivers don’t distort, which is good news, but the bad news is that the loudest level actually sounds muted when contrasted to lesser volumes.
The A30’s crisp treble response gave the opening acoustic guitar picks in Yes’ “Roundabout” lots of resonance and powerful string texture. I haven’t heard it with different headsets and headphones, but it was very harsh and had a slight vinyl-like scratchiness. The highest frequencies may have been somewhat rounded off to prevent that distraction, but once the music started, it vanished into the background of the mix. The bassline came through with enough punch to balance out the track’s aggressive guitar strumming, drumming, and vocals. Yet, the sound is still heavily centered on the highs and high mids.
“Born Too Slow” by The Crystal Method has an energetic sound because to the nearly harsh balance. The tracks are properly driven by the backbeat’s low-frequency presence, which makes the guitars and vocals stand out. It isn’t an awful sound, but a little more bottom would help anchor the mix.
Concept & Features
While examining the Astro A30 Wireless’s form and construction, as well as a shift in aesthetic from earlier models, it is instantly clear that the device has been built with a variety of circumstances in mind. The angular, hard-edged, rectilinear, and gamer-like look of the Astro A50 and similar devices is no longer present. Now the corners are rounded and softer, giving the headset a more headphone-like feel. Do not misunderstand; this is still very much an Astro product, although the new aesthetic direction is appreciated. The A30, which comes in white or navy blue, is stylish in both colors and wouldn’t seem out of place on your head while you’re on a train, using your computer, or lounging on the couch. And in each of those situations, you may wear the A30 with ease for hours because of its durable construction, which is nonetheless quite light and comfortable.
The onboard controls are essentially where they should be, but in a slightly unusual location. Simple controls are provided for the “more usual” features: the power button is located on the back of the right cup, above the Bluetooth button, and the mic mute button is located on the back of the left cup. Then, things become “unique.” The joystick on the bottom of the right cup houses the remaining controls. The volume up/down, game/chat audio balancing, and button click of the same function then act as a controller for music and calls when the Bluetooth connection is active, thus this is largely successful. Everything is organized and runs quite well.
Price and availability for ASTRO A30
The Astro A30 is too expensive, in my opinion. For most people, $229.99, £229.99, or $429.95 is a significant expenditure, especially given the current high rate of inflation. That is not to say that it is not worthwhile, since you are getting a set of headphones that can also be used for PC and console games and are very adaptable.
Yet alternative gaming headphones with very comparable features and capabilities may be purchased for less money. A great illustration is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless. It also provides slightly higher sound quality and guarantees a longer battery life for just $179 / £174 (about AU$310).
But, if you have extra cash to spare and enjoy Astro headsets, such as the storied Astro A50, you might choose the Astro A30. If you already have a collection, it would be an excellent addition.
Should you buy the Astro A30 Wireless?
As you might have guessed, the Astro A30 is something I really, really adore. It is exceptional in every regard, and the audio quality across all media is top-notch. Using wireless technology while simultaneously adding amazing utility and versatility? Exquisite. The build is sturdy, the customization possibilities are a pleasant addition, and the associated app is actually helpful. The design is stylish and cool. It’s pretty much a full house.
As an aside, the fact that it’s really a little challenging to pinpoint just which platform this headset is most comfortable with raises my eyebrows more than anything. With all of them, it just excels. The removal of the Astro Command Center software, for instance, results in a slight loss of its USP as a PC gaming headset, without affecting its performance or reputation, of course. On the plus side, since it has no “home platform,” it can be used with any platform, which is fantastic.
