My review of the Astro A40 combo.. Im not a geeky dude so excuse if my review is about as layman and unprofessional as layman and unprofessional gets:
Here is my background..
I've played using Beyer DT100's I borrowed from work.. connected through my 8 year old Sony reciever. And it definitely lets you locate the sound. I wont say its the most accurate thing in the world.. because the sound is neither 5.1 nor designed expressly for gaming. I have also bought/tried two different 5.1 gaming specific headsets and used both with COD4. The $99 Tritton AX360 headset & $199 Turtle Beach X4.
The AX360's had way to many wires, way too many volume controls and sound way to tinny. It felt like the sounds were comin through a soda can. Even worse there was no bass. The materials did feel quality though.
The X4 on the other hand felt cheap as shyt. It felt like a $29 headphone.. instead of a $199. Which to say the sound surprised the hell outta me.. there was alot more more full sound.. with actual bass. And the 5.1 was pretty accurate.. but they are IR and line of sight was a HUGE problem. The wireless also meant there was a slight buzzing noise the whole time. When out of sight, the noise was so bad it could completely drown out the game sound if you turned your head or moved from in front of the reciever.
So being a headphone noob.. I figured it was smart to start with the cheapest option first.. I spent $99 bucks and it sucked. Returned those and went with the middle option next.. $199 bucks and it somewhat still sucked. The X4's would be perfect if they were A) Wired.. B) $99 instead of $199. Now I'm at the point where I just spent $255 for the best gaming headset money can buy. Considering the A40 combo is MLG sponsored, used during Pro gaming events & every review site I've read has given it a solid 10.. I was pretty sure Im gonna get my moneys worth this time.
Here is when I recieved & used the headphones:
We all know the Astro packaging its bomb. Which is was. Ordered the Black frame, MLG edition. Got sent the regular White edition. So I was a little blown there. Couldnt really enjoy the packaging, after being bummed out they sent the wrong colour, regular edition. 5 minute call to Astro fixed that though, they are sending me the Black frames tomorrow.. with return label for the white frames. And will send the MLG speaker tags as soon as in stock. So all is well that ends well.
Performance wise.. I gotta say these headphones are the real deal. I've played with headphones before. I've played with 5.1 surround before. I've played with other gaming headphones before. There was always a weakness. Always something missing or lacking. Always something.
With the Astro's there is none. The only complaint I can possible think of is all the wires. There are 1 wire from headset to mixamp, 1 from controller to mixamp, 1 USB wire from mixamp to 360, 1 TOSHLINK/Opt from mixamp to 360. But the mixamp sits on the floor about 5 feet from me. The controller is in my hands. And the headphones have a quick disconnect feature that allows to me to get up and run to the bathroom or fix another drink inbetween rounds.
I gotta say this is $255 bucks I probably should spent along time ago.. considering how much COD4 I play. And how much more involved these headphones make you in the game. For the first time ever, I can identify sounds in the game as to what they are.. and where they are coming from. I watch ALOT of Military Channel and I think this shyt is called "situational awareness". Meaning you just know what the fock is goin on.
Its more than just knowing someone is sneaking up on you and trying to knife you in the back or get a cheap headshot. Its that so many little things that you used to get me killed doesnt happen anymore:
1) Running past a camper, or hearing somebody walk on the roof above you, or you camping and hearing someone coming from a specific side.
2) I can hear grenades falling around me. You throw a grenade at me I can tell you if landed in front, to which side or behind me.
3) I know where the enemy chopper is at ALL times on the map, without having to look for it.. and so now I know when and how to hide from it.
4) When I turn a corner and Im getting shot at.. I hear exactly which direction the bullets are coming from and can try to either take cover and fire in that direction.
5) Running in open space on large maps I can hear the sniper rifle and where the shot is coming from. I can then take cover immediately.
6) Most importantly.. I am immersed in the game. Vision & Sound is 100% focused on COD4. Living in apt.. I cant crank my 5.1 reciever up enough to hear the sounds listed above. And even if I could.. they would feedback into the mic. So I usually play with the TV sound on.. and very normal level.. which gives you none of the surround feedback you see listed above.
There is no doubt these headphones make me a better player.. mainly because Im more aware and more focused on whats going on in the game. I highly recommend them to anyone who is a COD4 or FPS fanatic!!
P.S. Also want to add that I hear my teammates alot clearer. And in both ears. So when someones "Daekwan.. its a guy behind you". Or that theres a sniper on top of Grandmas house.. I get that information very clear and very correct.
I also love the fact I now hear bullets whizzing by head. I cant tell you guys how many times I used to die.. because I simply never knew I was getting shot at. I've seen it a million times in the KILLCAM where the dude is unloading a whole clip at me.. and Im just freaking standing there. Not anymore bytches.. you fire a shot at me. Imma duck and fire 3 back at your azz. You just better hope you hit me first!!
I'd rate them a 9 outta 10.. If they would have gotten my order right the first time around.. Id say 10 outta 10!!! Very happy customer!!
