Astro A40 Mixamp Pro 2019 Review in 2021! Is It Good for Next Gen Consoles?

[@Jayvante]

I love his description of the headphone sound he explained it perfectly, he was 100% spot on great review

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks Jay!

[@AirMal23]

Love your unbiased no BS to the point quality review on these headsets

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks Mark! I try to be as fair as possible. No fanboy stuff here

[@ballinhobo8603]

This was the most informative review I could find on this headset. GG

[@rodlaz1984]

Most thorough and informative review of these I've seen to date and I've seen a fair few! Awesome!

[@fobz7]

Its 2022 and this review is still accurate, great job!

[@Pinkfloyd1173]

Dude this is the best review that I have seen on the A40's + mixamp tr pro!!!! You got a sub dude, no BS stright to the point man!!!.

[@Texasmarine_18]

Here we are a Year later and your review helped me in making a decision. I got the A50 for PC. Thanks for being unbiased and straight to the point.

[@crate718]

I just bought the Astro a40 today just bc it is iconic. The Astro mix amp surprised me. It powered the dt 900 pro x perfectly and the HD 560s about 80% volume load enough to play

[@jeffersonrodriguez8008]

QUICK TIP: you can gain EQ functionality through USB on Xbox if you use the Dolby Atmos App

[@ELVISDINNERSHOW]

Thank you for your detailed review, i've just ordered my set of both the headphones and the mixamp, it was on discount paying a total of 215 USD for it.

[@killamike5593]

Where did you buy it?

[@ELVISDINNERSHOW]

@@killamike5593 a dutch website.

[@ice.3000]

how are they ?

[@ELVISDINNERSHOW]

@@ice.3000 well worth it to me. Sound quality is excellent and i can really hear bad guys coming when using it with counter CS:go and Infestation. The mixamp for me makes it even better as i tend to talk to people on discord and i can just turn the knob and hear them better rather then playing around with sound settings in games.

[@ice.3000]

@@ELVISDINNERSHOW did you have any problems with them yet ?

[@pixelslaughter3492]

You covered every question I had and in great detail. Just earned my sub. Keep up quality content like this and I'll be here for years

[@AlhazerdVivi]

Thanks for the review, my local store is having clearance sale for this a40+amp for $150 USD equivalent, looks like its worth to buy

[@thelz7909]

Thanks for putting this together. There are longer videos out there with far less useful details. I wouldn't have thought about the ground disparity causing noise interference for certain possible uses of the aux input port and am glad you mentioned it.

[@GadgetryTech]

No problem, and thanks. Glad it helped!

[@11202]

If you use the Aux port I would highly recommend getting a ground loop isolator off Amazon. It’s just a little thing that goes between the auxiliary port and the source on the cable. Does a great job and worked well when I used it. It’s pretty cheap too like 10-15

[@2openhere]

2022. just bought these for half price, great investment. Thanks for a top rate, in depth review. Keep making the interwebs a good place.

[@TheEgb18c]

Where did you buy?

[@DrewAk49]

@@TheEgb18c Just ordered mine off ebay, but mercari is a good place too.

[@somchai1993]

I have the A40's for about 2 years now and they are still great! TBH i bought the turtle beach next gen and gave it the next week to a friend, I didnt like the audio quality.. the mix amp is doing its work and I am so glad I didnt sell my Astro's

[@thelz7909]

In my experience the Astro's have a more durable, long-lasting build quality so even if you had been happy with the other's sound, they may not have lasted as long.

[@zachschweitzer7972]

Thanks for the super technical video! These just dropped $50 and I’m on my way to bestbuy now!

[@spacedragoncollectibles]

I just bought this for my series X and I can’t figure out how to fix the direction of shots at me or footsteps they are all in the opposite direction. I’ve tried presets people have none seem to make a difference. What am I doing wrong?

[@zachschweitzer7972]

@@spacedragoncollectibles I’m not being a douche, do you have them on the right ears? Is your mic on the left side?

[@spacedragoncollectibles]

@@zachschweitzer7972 Me and my brother law laughed our asses off about this i felt so dumb 🤣

[@zachschweitzer7972]

@@spacedragoncollectibles I’m assuming you guys found what the problem was? 😉

[@xBillyLamp_]

Thank you, this answered so many of my questions. Very informative. I’ve been looking for someone who has talked about this for a while now

[@brooksbest4162]

For PS5: You can send chat audio to headphone in the PS setting rather than the all audio option to split the two. Allowing you to use the mix knob and not turn everything down like the main volume knob. I dont care for it all that much though honestly it doesn't sound like a great mix. Essentially the party chat and game chat stay at the peak volume and then the mix knob mixes one or the other out. It takes away volume rather than adding it to either side. On that note i got these headphones not knowing all these things and luckily i had an HDMI audio extractor laying around. But with that aside i absolutely love the headphones. They feel great and sound amazing in my opinion.

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

Thankfully my lg 4k has a sdif audio out so I don't need the extractor as it's limits the ps5 to 60hz on the TV or monitor otherwise using the audio splitter.

[@davidakerberg4967]

Great video man! Best review I ever seen! Thank you so much for this detailed information. Now I know the A40 isn't for me.

[@hugor.7940]

Something he mentioned but didn’t emphasize is that if you have an optical output, which most new TVs do have, then you won’t be sacrificing video or sound quality. It’s be just the same as if your plugging directly to the console. As for monitors, most do not have optical outputs which you’d have to use the hdmi adapter

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks for bringing it up Hugo!

[@trentlalonde8822]

So you can plug the mix Amp into the TV and not the console and then the audio problem is solved?

[@steaddyslabbin]

@@GadgetryTech can we elaborate on this? I have a lg nano 90. If I connect the optical from the tv to the amp then I won’t have any 120hz 4K issues?

[@GadgetryTech]

@@steaddyslabbin that’s correct. It will keep everything working correctly

[@steaddyslabbin]

@@GadgetryTech then on the Xbox I set it as “using HDMI audio headset” and the it on Dolby atoms for headphones? Also thank y’all soooo much I’m so happy I found this.

[@Goryglory0209]

Just got this at 54% off sealed pack. Could not resists myself. A40 Audio V2 ones. Thanks for your review as always

[@FOPEZ]

Same, how are they so far?

[@busysleepin]

@@FOPEZdamn

[@DyllonMcDonald68]

the 1st gen mix amps work on the new gen consoles so yes theyre ready, and if you want to use a the audio cable they have HDMI connectors that you can plug your audio cable into, or just do the update and plug your USB into your console and youre good to go

[@justintlme8763]

I’ve seen a lot of people get this wrong. To get good Dolby, you need to use an optical cable with the PC, etc. Without it, you aren’t getting real Dolby…

[@mattstitans4080]

Best headset reviews on YT thanks man iv bought two headsets cause of ur great reviews straight to the point no b.s

[@AkFishSlayer907]

Also there is a weird thing that goes on with Xbox series x. If you just turn on your Xbox your a40s will be quiet. If you unplug the USB from your mix amp for 5 seconds and plug it back in it make the sound normal.

[@clawson32104]

Seems like Astro really needs to just release new models of the A40 & A50 specifically designed for the new consoles. Not exactly their fault the optical port was removed but they as a company can react and put something out. It's a chore to get them working on the new consoles let alone to have the sound quality Astro is known for.

[@GadgetryTech]

I'm really hoping to see a Gen5 A50 this year.

[@clawson32104]

@@GadgetryTech I'd love for that and even if they don't release new A40s, at least a revised Mixamp that doesn't rely on the optical port. If they can release as new A20 model then they can do something for their flagship models.

[@SongDesire]

A 3.5m Ground Loop noise Isolator should solve your AUX audio issues. You would connect the 3.5m ground loop noise isolator on your computers audio output and then use a 3.5m male to 3.5m male stereo cable from the noise isolator to the AUX input on the mixamp. This is what I do to take audio from my PC into a Yamaha MG12 audio mixer and remove the audio buzzing that happens when you link your ocmputer to another audio device via 3.5m. You can get them on Amazon for about £12/$12

[@GadgetryTech]

I found that ground loop isolators negatively impact the sound quality as well but yes it would definitely fix the problem. I haven't found one that hasn't affected the treble in some way in the past.

[@rules1877]

Answered every question I has especially about the xbox on working with ps5

[@zenbyo]

18:31 i just got one of those groundloop isolator from amazon to get my PC connected without the annoying buzz. They're like 10 bucks. I'm thinking once my Astro headphones need to be replaced i'll try using the Razer Blackshark v2 with the mixamp.

[@ChillThrillion]

Thank you so much for this video. You helped me save a lot of time and money. I am on the Ps5 and enjoy gaming at 120hz so with everything being said I think I will be going with a pair of Arctis 7p's. Thanks again man I really appreciate it.

[@rszoh5099]

This review was perfect glooks man!

[@SoftSoulBro]

Such great information. I love your breakdowns on these. thank you.

[@Butzemann123]

18:35 common issue with line in even on something like the GoXLR. plug in a ground loop isolator and all issues are gone.

[@TechnoTommy]

Great video answered all questions.

[@TheChillDeadpool]

I need a mix amp that'll work with Xbox Series X without the problems that the astro version does

[@Masi22isaM]

Great review. Thank you for taking the time to go over everything. I was able to get a Xbox series X that is arriving on the 16th so i'm now learning what to do with my A40's. You touched on the TV's optical out briefly. In the review you expressed do you want it to sound good or look good so you have to choose.(im assuming choosing the extractor or optical out) Does that mean the optical out from the TV downgrades the sound? I'm a tad confused. I've read that's the hot ticket. You still get 4K @ 120FPS with no downgrade in sound like USB. Thanks for the time and again great review.

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

dolby atmos and dts will pass thru whatever you connect optical 3.5 jack usb there is nothing speacil anbout optical your 3.5 jack supports upto 24 bit 96000hz dolby atmos for headphones works on 16bit no issse..if you connect a usb its atmos if you connect a optical its atmos if you connect a 3.5 jack guess what its atmos

[@HayderAbdulridha]

seriously a great review. subbing for that.

[@TheTrev4477]

Optical digital solution for some users who want 4K 120hz and use the optical digital extractor as long as your TV has an E-ARC(Enhanced Audio Return Channel) HDMI input port: 1. Connect your XBOX Series X directly to one of your TVs non-E-ARC HDMI inputs using a 4k 120hz compatible HDMI cable. 2. Now, connect another HDMI cable from your TV's HDMI E-ARC input port to the HDMI to optical digital extractor that he is talking about in the video. 3. Next you need to go into your TV settings and enable E-ARC. 4. You may need to change the outstream on your TV from BITSTREAM to PCM since most of these optical digital extractors only read PCM. Abracadabra, you have both 4K 120Hz going to your TV and your TV is outputting the audio to your E-ARC HDMI cable to your optical digital extractor. If you have a surround sound receiver or soundbar you can connect a third HDMI cable from the HDMI output on the extractor to your receiver or soundbar to use in conjunction with your headset. NOTE: E-ARC allows audio to flow backwards from the TVs HDMI E-ARC input down the HDMI cable to an audio source.

[@luigimartinez1748]

Im confused how would this work I have the extractor but im losing my dolby atmos 7.2.1 setup going the extractor route

[@TheTrev4477]

@@luigimartinez1748 If you are outputting PCM you will not have Atmos. PCM can only handle 5.1 and standard 7.1.

[@Gorilla_Jones]

When I was with Harman Kardon the ex head of R&D for Astro group came into our JBL group to head the research division. He said that after Astro was sold that the quality of QC went down. They used to be the best of the best, hopefully they can recapture their former glory. I've had every A50 since launch and they've all eventually had a crippling issue. Mostly battery related. My original A40s and mixamp pre sale from 2011 are still rocking. On an unrelated note their line of luggage products the backpack the duffel bag the guitar case all that stuff was of incredible quality, I mean world class. They're scout backpack I've had now over 11 years and I have beat it to absolute hell and all I do is throw it in the washing machine and it still looks new super durable if you can find one used on eBay definitely buy it,worth every penny. I really like your channel, I came across it by mistake. Your reviews are very detailed it well spoken you going to a lot of the minutiae that people who buy this stuff care about. You're not flamboyant or goofy or snarky you're just pretty straight to the point about the product. Kudos new subscriber.

[@mattbell1907]

Most LG 120hz 4k TVs have an optical out port so you don't need the breakout box and still get 4k 120hz

[@BritishSoundboardPranks]

Good review - I'd just add (for anyone who's interested) if you're using in optical mode through an Xbox-Series X (via the audio extractor) the USB power cord has to go into the back of your PC for it to function properly. I tried plugging into the wall to power but just got flashing lights.

[@slightlyseen6767]

Can you explain this a little better. My a40's arrive on Friday and I ordered a 4k @120hz extractor.

[@Fittednocap]

Did you noticed the volume being kind of low even at full volume without the optical cable as well?

[@KelTav]

I bought that adapter for my Astros a40 but now It won't give me 1440p at 120hz

[@jimmyward9810]

I just got this for 149.99 and my presets do work on xbox series x via usb.

[@chrisdsx5]

I got these with the amp and mod kit...they sound great but it's like paying 300% more for like 30% better quality of just the run of the mill 90 dollar pair. It's a luxury for sure.

[@vangoghoff5521]

Spot on review!

[@reiss636]

Is it just me or when I switched this device from the Xbox one x to the series x, is the audio quality a lot quieter? Idk if it’s because of the usb or what.

[@KD-jj3lb]

Thanks for not wasting my time great video.

[@rorbalzio]

So technically if your tv has am optical out, you don't need an audio extractor, correct?

[@joshuaellington4583]

Yes you dont need one

[@ExtremeMusicSpace]

awesome review, everything explained very comprehensibly

[@Beetlejuicewashere]

Nice, im buying this today

[@muz4050]

Great review, I agree the mute slider is rubbish

[@hflores5690]

For those of you here a year later. You can use the astro app for custom eq on next gen. And you leave it on star mode.

[@zool4013]

Not without a adapter unfortunately. They don't work with just usb on next gen consoles. Sure you can change and update them but unless your tv has a optical port or you have a hdmi audio extractor. You'll have to use Dolby atmos for eq presets.

[@johnlee2579]

Will there be audio lag/delay if I use the optical port on the TV to attach to the mix amp?

[@bendthatpity5419]

For anyone wondering why ps5 doesnt have optical jacks. Its because almost every tv now days will. So run audio threw tv for 5.1

[@Sonchuo]

It seems like with Xbox and Sony removing their optical port for their next gen consoles it really screwed over Astro and the compatibility for their mixamp. IMHO the hassle isn't worth it but if you know you are plugging this into a TV/Monitor with HDMI 2.1 and an optical out then simply plug the mixamp into the TV's optical port. If not then it's not worth the investment and wait until the next generation of a40s come out when they resolve the issue. The quality is great if you can just figure out the setup.

[@stefanhansen7353]

How do You connect all the different things to get it working in a Xbox Setup?

[@T_Gur1]

17:55 so I’m having issues with this part. I can hear all audio and My mic moves in party chat. How ever I can not hear the game chat or speak in game chat. Not even by being in party and switch to (game chat in party) I’m on Xbox s. And don’t have a PC to do firmware updates… do you think that that is probably why I can’t hear the chat? Im also using the optical adapter.

[@YTsoloo]

so if i have optic on my tv it’ll work the same as if i had an optic adapter or no ? Mines came and it worked fine plugging it into the tv

[@mattbell1907]

PS5 does not seem to support using 3D audio over hdmi-optical to headphones. If you want 3D you might be better off using the PS5 built in game/chat Mix and just USB to the mixamp. This also allows you to use the optical for your PC or last gen console at the same time.

[@FaZe_BlasTeRz]

so the aswer is no the Astro 40s Xbox version works on the controller hijacks but the mixAmp i cant instal the firmware its stay on 0% and wont load

[@danny19201]

Having problems using these on an xbox series X. My TV has an optical port so I have that going to the mixamp. And TV set as optical out. XBOX set as stereo uncompressed. But It sounds horrible. Any advice?

[@theINQBS]

Some of us sit far from our MixAmp so the in-line Mute switch is PERFECT AS IS!!! Mine sits on the corner of my entertainment center and I sit about 8’ away and have to run an extension so I can sit comfortably while I game, but that means my MixAmp is too far to touch it. Some of us have been playing with Astros for over 10 years and there’s a reason for that!!!

[@Larry-jb6su]

Hello I have the LG CX TV with optical out, and this TV is 4K 120 hertz refresh rate, paired with a PS5 I would like to know If the ASTRO A50 is completely compatible if I hook the USB to my PS5 and the optical to the TV, will I lose any thing sound quality wise. I play FORTNITE at 120 hertz and the ASTRO ADAPTER only goes to 4K 60 hertz and I dont want to neuter my TV thanks!

[@mregygamer9587]

If i use the optical port on tv is there any audio delay in dolby atmos ?

[@Boss-tf6if]

Where has this video been the past few days? I've been searching everywhere for info on how to get my a40s to work on the series X. I may have the gen 3 a40s w/mixamp but it all seems the same. When I was going to setup my mixamp to my series X I realized there was no optical cable port. This is the first video that genuinely helped me understand what it is and how to work around the port not being on the console. I had seen on articles and from other a40 users that using the Dolby Atmos app would improve the horrible sound quality but from my experience, it only made it slightly better. Not to what it used to be on my Xbox One. The way I found this video was from heading to your channel after watching your Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 review and the Wireless Headset Roundup videos. As much as I love my a40s, after watching those videos (as well as a few other sources) I've decided to buy the Stealth 700s. So thanks for your detailed reviews. They really do help. It's a shame Xbox and Playstation couldn't have just left the optical port alone.

[@steaddyslabbin]

Have you gotten any good setting down for you 700’s I got mine in today and think they are horrible, everything in Warzone is extremely distorted.

[@Boss-tf6if]

@@steaddyslabbin hmm I haven't had any distortion issues at all. If you're xbox audio is set to Dolby Atmos, be sure to change that back to Windows Sonic. That's what the headset is made for. Other than that, I haven't messed with any of the eq presets so I don't really know much about them

[@peanutbutler64]

Excellent and through breakdown of these headphones. I just wanted to add that these are phenomenal media headphones as well. I've been trapped in my bedroom for 11 days due to covid and today I yanked these from my steam deck dock and hooked them up to my bedroom tv toslink to watch tv, and the fidelity is incredible (keep that Dolby 3d shit off tho)

[@GadgetryTech]

Great to hear you enjoy them so much! So sorry to hear you're sick. At 11 days in, hopefully you're doing much better now. Have a good one

[@nocece4u]

Exactly the video I was looking fot

[@Suzuki-py6jk]

There is no power button on the device? How you turn it completely off, when it's connected to the console?

[@yyJUiCEyy]

Did the firmware updates With Xbox for the headset and mix amp fix the issue with the mixes not working? Or would one still need the HDMI audio extractor?

[@christianmunoz6545]

Great informative review! Just wanted to know is this headset still usable now in 2024 for pc competitive gaming? I found a new pair for $170 that’s why I’m asking .

[@tomojobs]

So i got the a40 TR with mixamp for series x. Then seen this video. Got the astro adapter and the sound is just amazing especially when playing warzone. Only trouble is the adapter doesn't allow VRR so you get some issues with the game especially when you're slider cancelling everywhere looooooooool just gotta jump through absolute hoops to get these working its pretty tilt but it'll do for the mo just hopefully they make a 2.1 hdmi splitter if they care about us

[@swindlegang5333]

How did you get it working for the next gen Xbox

[@AntonioSanchez-lg8in]

Question..... I just got a pair of A40tr with the mixamp and the astro HDMI to optical adapter. My question is, when updating my setting on the PS5 and selecting the audio output device, should I choose USB headset (Astro A40) or HDMI device (TV)?

[@chuchu]

I didn't even notice that the game/chat was an issue on Playstation, I've been using this headset for like 2 years and I have it set up with optical out the TV port and USB to my laptop for discord. so for me the nob is like a Game/PC works great for me. guess you just got to make sure your monitor has an optical digital out

[@FerociousPancake888]

Seems like now we do have 4K 120Hz audio extractors. But are they needed for PS5 or has Sony updated it so you don’t need it?

[@anthonyscottrose1]

Since PlayStation doesn’t allow control of its chat and volume interface by 3rd party headsets is it even worth getting the Astro A50 (built in chat/volume control) based on this logic?

[@Fayd_Afterlife]

I'm just saying I don't know if you knew this but on Xbox series x if you download the Dolby access app for Dolby atmos and allows you to access the adjusters and stuff that were on the Astro command center so you can still make it sound the same way as it did with the audio settings that were on the presets you can remake your own presets so that it sounds the same as it did on your old console

[@who-raa]

Hey dude, i just got my PS5 this week and discovered the lack of optical input when trying to run my 2nd Gen A40TR Headset to the system. I emailed them to ask if the headset was or wasn't supported, and if i needed to buy the hdmi box for £35. I simply was told that the headset was not supported AT ALL. So in this video you have a slightly different A40 and amp but i'd like to ask if the information i received stands up? I'm currently running the amp into the ps5 via USB and the sound is not good. Feels like the 3D sound has gone altogether to be honest. Would appreciate your insight. Thanks!

[@Adamsgotgame]

This really helped me. Thankyou so much

[@Boom_BadaBing]

Very informative, i found your review to be really helpfull, thanks.

[@andrewwolf4963]

i am dying to know if the astro is comparable to say an Audio Technica or Beyerdynamic , top of the line Bose or Sennheiser. I own the Gen 1 Astro A40 and HyperX Cloud Alpha. The Alpha is considerably louder, and the Astro has clearer sound stage but is often dampened. Both are perfect for BR. But with PS5 i’m running into issues.

[@F__k-Society]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm contemplating buying a $300 paid of beyerdynamics

[@ripp123m]

Wait so the eq presets don't work if ur not using optical?? Wtf?

[@ForceFedFetusFillet]

My gf got these for me as a surprise for my birthday today. I'm pretty excited to use them

[@landeishon]

Great review 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@wondershark344]

@gadgetrytech can you do astro A40 vs epos h6 pro. I couldnt find a comparison video on these 2 anywhere.

[@metallic5607]

i recently purchased this headset. i had such a hard time connecting it to my series x. i tried everything and it wouldnt let me assign it to my profile. i updated the mixer, reset my xbox, changed profiles. did everything possible and nothing. i ended up exchanging them for turtle beach 700. i still want the astros but dont know what the problem was. anyone else have this issue? also any solutions?

[@Error_4o4_Found]

I'm assuming 1080p 120hz on a 280hz monitor would have no issues just running it usb for an Xbox series x using the extractor?

[@adamdaughtry4551]

Just got my A40s the website won't let me update and I cannot connect to them with my gamertag. I'm so lost. Can anyone help? I tried the app and Dolby both would not work

[@PINKY-2_3]

Hello can I use the Astro mix amp with other earphones or only with Astro? I was anting to buy it so I can use the with son iems

[@kaileyvenus6886]

great review, thanks!

[@brandonpalmer4830]

I’m confused about the compromise between frame rate and audio quality. I have the Xbox series X and the LG CX. Am I not able to have it at peak audio quality and also run my games at 4k 120?

[@YAYAYKEVIN]

so i really need to know... where did you get your table ? it looks so nice

[@yyJUiCEyy]

How does the audio extractor work exactly for Xbox ? Do I need to plug the HDMI coming from the Xbox into this extractor? Then another HDMI to the monitor, and the optical from the extractor to the mix amp? Man this confuses things :S

[@iAdroiting]

I have a ps4 SLIM which doesnt have the optical output just like the next gen consoles. Will the extractor work for my ps4 SLIM as well?

[@GadgetryTech]

Yes it will! Anything with HDMI.

[@Elias-hk7hx]

This headset feels louder when connected to controller rather when it’s connected to the mixamp, even with the volume all they say up on the mixamp.

[@stocky1887]

Is this the same as a40 TR

[@Autodi409]

Hi, I wish to buy this A40 but maybe not the MixAmp. I can still use it via the controller ( Xbox Series X)?

[@weaponx40]

If your tv has optical do you loose anything by putting the optical Into the tv? I’m in that case does the USB still go to the Xbox or the TVs usb?

[@seanmurphy6196]

I have the a40s wired with amp there is a terrible buzzing noise constantly and only stops when I put my finger over the aux input on amp How do you stop this or can I buy anything for it ?

[@harmabiwachabi9314]

Is there any difference between the xbox and playstation version in terms of cross platform compability?