Astro Gaming A20 Wireless Gen 2 Headset Specs
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Astro Gaming is perhaps best known for its pricey, high-end A40 and A50 gaming headsets, but the company offers more affordable choices, too. The A20 is the companys economical wireless headset, and its been refreshed for use with the newest game consoles. These $119.99 cans come in a PlayStation version that works with the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and in an Xbox version thats compatible with the Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X. If you own both next-gen systems, you can use the headset with both consoles by purchasing an extra transmitter for $19.99. Overall, the A20 Gen 2 boasts robust wireless sound quality, especially for its price, but it could use more padding for increased comfort.
Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 Performance
One area where the Astro A20 Gaming Headset excels is in sound quality. The Astro A20 has a rich, vibrant soundscape across a variety of games, movies and music. And while gamers should expect good sound from headsets that cost more than $100, I can think of wireless headsets in the $150 range that dont sound nearly as good as the Astro A20.
I tested the headset with a variety of games across a variety of systems, including Genshin Impact on the PS4, Blasphemous on the Xbox One, Baldurs Gate III on the PC and Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on the Switch. I was impressed with how the Astro A20 handled every genre, from crackling fireballs in Baldurs Gate, to spirited dialogue in Genshin Impact. I was even surprised to find that the bass was far more robust than in most gaming headsets, which was great for the ominous growls of Blasphemous or the resounding bomb blasts of Hyrule Warriors.
I can think of wireless headsets in the $150 range that dont sound nearly as good as the Astro A20.
Similarly, the Astro A20 handles music well provided youre listening on a computer or console, that is. Because it doesnt have a 3.5 mm audio jack or Bluetooth functionality, this probably wont be your everyday music headset. But I listened to tracks from Old Crow Medicine Show, Flogging Molly, The Rolling Stones and G.F. Handel, and I was very pleased with both the bass/treble and left/right channel balances.
Good Sound For The Price
The Astro Gaming A20 Gen 2 is a very capable wireless gaming headset that’s ready for the newest console generation. It sounds quite good, and works out of the box with Xbox or PlayStation . You can even ensure support for both consoles by buying an optional extra USB transmitter for $20, though you must deal with the re-pairing process each time you switch systems. The A20 Gen 2 doesnt feel quite as comfortable as it could be, but light padding and a stiff feel is common in this price range if you want a snug fit and plush feel, you need to spend a bit more than $119.99. You’d buy this headset for its wireless flexibility and full sound quality at a price that doesn’t break the bank.
Of course, both systems gamepads have headphone ports, so you can get a better-feeling headset for a similar price, like Editors’ Choice picks Razer BlackShark V2 or Logitech G Pro X, cans that also feature USB sound cards for simulated surround sound for use with PCs. If you simply want a wireless PC headset, the Razer Nari Essential is also an Editors’ Choice for its price, fit, sound quality, and mic.
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Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 Design
The Astro A20 Gaming Headsets 2020 redesign isnt radically different from the 2017 version. Instead of a black chassis, this time around, its white.
The PS4/PS5 version has blue highlights, while the Xbox One/Xbox Series X version has green highlights. There are some technical differences between the two headsets, but structurally, theyre similar otherwise.
Until I saw myself in a mirror, I didnt realize quite how strange the A20 looks compared to most other gaming headsets. Rather than adopting an oval shape, the A20 looks almost rectangular, with a long, flat, foam-padded headband, and two arms that move up and down, instead of notches on the headband itself. Not all of the headband actually sits on your head. Its an odd design, and doesnt fit as well as more traditional headsets.
Beyond that, the Astro A20 is pretty light on bells and whistles. The right earcup has a power button, an equalization mode button , a volume dial and a USB-C charging port.
On the left earcup, theres a boom mic. I still think that any headset that costs more than $100 should have either a detachable or retractable mic, but if you put the mic in a vertical position, you cant actually see it, so its not a dealbreaker.
How To Connect A Headset Or Speakers To The Xbox Series X Using Optical Cables
You might have noticed that there is no optical audio output on your Xbox Series X or Series S.
Microsoft decided to remove this in the new console due to it’s “low usage”.
Fortunately, there is a way around this. If you buy an HDMI Audio Extractor, you can strip the audio from the HDMI cable and connect an Optical cable.
The Optical cable can then be run into your Mix Amp or Speakers. Most of these devices also come with a second ‘Audio Out’ port that allows you to split the audio to multiple devices e.g. a headset and speakers.
You can explore some HDMI Audio Extractor options here:
Mix Amps are extremely versatile and offer multiple choices to receive your audio.
You can use the Optical port or the AUX/3.5mm Audio Jack to generate your audio. These are particularly useful if you’re using the same headset and mixamp for a PC and console.
Simply run an AUX cable from your monitor/TV into the appropriate 3.5mm Audio Jack on your MixAmp or use an HDMI audio extractor so you can use Optical cables .
The MixAmp also offers a third audio passthrough, which is exclusive to your PC, by simply plugging it in via USB.
If you own an Astro MixAmp Pro TR or A50 Base Station, you can update it to the latest firmware and it will work by plugging it into the USB ports on the console.
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Xbox Series X And Series S Audio Guide: How To Connect And Use Any Headset Mixamp Or Speakers
Connection established!
With the Xbox Series X and Series S now available worldwide, you may be wanting to set up a headset with your new console.
While the console makes plenty of steps forward, it’s lost a few core components to its design that can be a headache for older equipment.
Most notably for headsets that may not be compatible with this new generation of consoles.
Here’s how to set up any headset, MixAmp or speakers with your new Xbox console.
Looking for something specific? Click these links:
It Boasts Fantastic Mid
Thankfully, the actual sound performance of the A20 Wireless fares much better. It boasts fantastic mid-range audio that is punchy and expressive. I tested it with several games including Apex Legends, and I was able to easily identify enemy footsteps, distant firefights, and various other sound cues. It has surprising bass capabilities, especially given its lack of noise cancellation, and it squares up nicely against its price range competitors. Listening to music on it is solid, with an even distribution, but it is certainly not going to become your go-to music peripheral.
Comfort-wise, the A20 Wireless is a light headset that doesnt weigh too heavily on your head, even in long gaming sessions. That being said, the cushions on the ear flaps are a bit too firm to feel truly comfortable. That is not to say that they get less comfortable the longer you wear them, but instead that they are merely adequate to begin with and stay that way throughout. The flip-to-mute mic works smoothly and is easily adjustable to suit your vocal preferences. I found that I had to position it farther than expected from my mouth to avoid clipping, but it picked up my voice well and it is more than adequate for chatting while gaming.
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Two Consoles One Headset
For too long gamers have had to buy multiple gaming headsets if they own more than one gaming console, but the new Astro A20 Gen 2 promises to solve that, being the first headset to work with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
As with buying any previous Astro gaming headset, youll still have to pledge your allegiance to one system by first buying an either green- or blue- tinted wireless gaming headset. However, if you want to use that same headset for the other platform, all you need to do is buy a second wireless dongle designed for your desired console.
Not only can you pair the Astro A20 Gen 2 with either console, doing so will unlock system-specific features. When paired with the PS5, the Astro A20 Gen 2 gains an enhanced surround sound mode via the system’s Spatial Audio feature.
Aside from those platform-specific features, the Astro A20 Gen 2 looks like a solid wireless gaming headset on paper. It is rated for up to 50 feet of wireless range and more than 15 hours of battery life, plus you can recharge it over USB-C.
The Astro A20 Gen 2 wireless gaming headset will retail for $119.99, while the Astro A20 Gen 2 USB Transmitter youll need to pair to a second console costs just $19.99. The headset and transmitter are slated to arrive this October both are available for preorder now.
Astro A20 Wireless Gaming Headset For Xbox Review
ASTRO Gaming are seen by many as being right up there with the most respected gaming headset manufacturers in the world. For good reason too, as for a number of years they have been providing audio options for gamers across all manner of formats. Now though theyve reworked one of their best selling headsets, that of the Gen-2 A20 Wireless, to lead them into the next generation of gaming. Its pretty good too.
The Gen-2 A20 Wireless headset from ASTRO has been created specifically for Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as gamers gather round for the introduction of the Xbox Series X|S and PS5. The Xbox version is a delight too, running a black, white and green colourway, to ensure that it fits into the Xbox ecosystem delightfully. If youve ever gone heads-on with an ASTRO headset previously, youll be right at home with the look of this one.
The black earcups themselves look and feel lovely with ASTRO and A20 logos present and all are held neatly in place with little in terms of flex or swivel. Neither of those are really needed though to be honest because the cushions that caress your ears are gorgeous, feeling great when on the head. Perhaps there could be a bit more padding included as long term tests see the cloth that covers the 40mm speaker drivers begin to rest on the ear youll certainly find yourself needing to take some of the pressure off occasionally but on the whole, they are absolutely fine.
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Astro A20 2020 Review: Should You Buy It
The Astro A20 sports a great sound experience with good tactical qualities, isolating audio cues like footsteps and reloads well without deprioritizing more immersive channels like those bassy explosions. I’m generally a fan of the Astro sound, but there are headsets with a broader soundstage and more impressive audio, like the recent Corsair HS75 XB, which you can get by paying just a little more.
However, what the A20 does that many other recent Xbox headsets don’t is multi-platform compatibility across Xbox and PC, without relying on the awfulness of Bluetooth or the proprietary Xbox Wireless signal. If you’re looking for a great headset that can run across both platforms without buying an extra Xbox Wireless dongle for PC, the Astro A20 is an awesome pick.
Can You Use Astro A40 Xbox One With Ps4
Yes you should be able to because both consoles use the same digital audio converter. Just use the optical like you do with your Xbox. Youre better off buying this product that says PS4 as each Astro mix amp have different modules for each console. Or buy a mix amp if you cant buy the headset/mix amp.
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How To Connect A Bluetooth Or Wireless Headset To The Xbox Series X
Wireless headphones that have an appropriate USB dongle will still function as normal with the console and will work by simply plugging them into the console.
If you’re in the market for a wireless headset, why not try these:
However, you may be able to buy a Bluetooth receiver with an audio jack connection.
The receiver can plug into the audio jack on your TV/Monitor or into your controller.
You can explore some Bluetooth receiver options here:
The A20 Gen 2’s Design
The A20 Gen 2 is reminiscent of the A10 headset, just wireless and a bit larger. The square-shaped earcups sit on plastic struts that let them pivot up and down, struts that connect to a wide plastic headband with a soft rubber underside. The earpads are soft foam covered in breathable cloth, which results in a comfortable, snug fit that shouldnt build up much heat over long play sessions. It doesnt feel nearly as solid or quite as comfortable as the more expensive A50s, though, especially with the wide, flat headband offering little padding for the top of your head.
All controls sit on the right earcup’s back edge, and they include a power button, an EQ button, a volume wheel, and voice/game audio balance buttons. The USB-C port for charging can be found on the same earcup, facing down. The long, rubber boom mic is mounted on the left earcup, and can be flipped up to automatically mute your voice.
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Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 Comfort
In spite of the Astro A20 Gaming Headsets unusual design, its pretty comfortable to wear. The black fabric earcups are plush and breathable, and the headband provides a fair amount of padding.
Even with my glasses on, I could wear the Astro A20 for hours without any discomfort. On the other hand, I was never able to get a great fit, due to the unconventional headband adjustment. The earcups dont swivel, however, and the arms dont have much give, which could prevent some players from getting a good seal around the ears.
Have No Fear The Doc Is Here
Chances are you just bought a brand new $200+ headset from somewhere like Astro Gaming. Youre excited, and you just hook up your headset to your system without even giving it a second thought. Then suddenly you realize you cant get your mic to work. You fiddle with a few options, you finally plug the headset directly into the chat adapter, you get the mic to work, but now your headset is only coming out in stereo. Now youre upset and rightfully so, its all very confusing.
The MixAmp and the Xbox One chat adapter are fighting over the audio encoding. The chat adapter essentially renders the Astro MixAmp useless, but theres a way to correct this without too much effort!
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Will Your Old Headset Work On Ps5 Or Xbox Series X Probably
In addition to announcing the A20 Gen 2 headset, Astro is also sharing its plan for supporting its older headsets as the next generation of consoles is about to arrive. If your Astro headset connects to the audio source via a 3.5mm plug, youre good to go, as both the XSX and PS5 controllers feature a headphone jack.
If you have a wireless Astro headset made for an Xbox One, itll be as easy as upgrading the headset firmware through Astros Command Center PC software once the Xbox Series X launches. If your headset typically connects to the console via optical audio, youll be able to connect the base station to the XSXs USB port instead to get the same features no optical audio needed . Astro says that wireless headsets from the Xbox 360 era are being left behind.
It gets a little more complicated for people who want to bring their PS4-ready Astro wireless headset to the PS5. Sonys next-gen console doesnt have an optical audio port either. However, you wont have to go buy a brand-new headset. Instead, Astro is releasing an HDMI-to-optical audio splitter that will allow your headset to interface with the PS5 with no additional firmware needed. It supports HDMI 2.1, HDCP, and 4K passthrough. Astro says it wont introduce any input lag, and because its Dolby-compliant product, the sound shouldnt be worse off, either.
Correction: Article originally implied that the Xbox Series X will have an optical audio port. Neither next-gen console will feature one.
Xbox Series X And S Compatible Astro Wired Gaming Headsets
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are compatible with the first-gen Astro A10, first-gen Astro A20, first through fourth gens of the Astro A40/A40 TR Gaming Headsets in addition to the third and fourth gens A50 Wireless + Base Station over a wired connection .
All of these support Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos .
You can check out the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S features for each headset below:
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