The Astro A40 TR MixAmp Pro are great gaming headphones that are advertised as console-locked to either the PS4 or Xbox One. They are well-built and very comfortable for long gaming sessions. Their audio quality is good, with overemphasized bass. They have a great microphone for online multiplayer gaming and their dock gives good controls. Unfortunately, the headset is very bulky. Due to the open-back design, they won’t be ideal to use in a loud environment. Note that we tested the Xbox One variant of this headset, but we expect similar results for the PS4 variant. Unfortunately, there have been user reports of significant issues using the software, and you can read more in the App Support box.
Our Verdict
Good for neutral listening. The Astro A40 have a powerful and extended bass, a virtually flawless mid-range, but a just okay treble that is underemphasized and lacking in detail. Their bass is also prone to inconsistencies and noticeably overdone, but some may prefer the extra thump of it. However, they sound muddy and slightly cluttered. Overall, they will be better suited for bass-heavy genres and video games with lots of explosion noises. You can also easily cycle through EQ presets on the amp, which is useful.
- Comfortable and sturdy design.
- Good audio reproduction with EQ and presets built into the amp.
- Great microphone.
- Bulky design.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Sound delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses and fit.
Poor for commuting. These headphones are very bulky and hard to carry around. Also, they are open-back and barely isolate against ambient noise, which means all the ambient chatter and deep rumbling of engines will seep into your audio.
- Comfortable and sturdy design.
- Good audio reproduction with EQ and presets built into the amp.
- Great microphone.
- Bulky design.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Sound delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses and fit.
Sub-par for sports. These headphones are not designed for this use case as they are very bulky and trap a decent amount of heat inside their ear cups, which will make you sweat more than usual. They are not stable and will easily fall off your ears during physical activity.
- Comfortable and sturdy design.
- Good audio reproduction with EQ and presets built into the amp.
- Great microphone.
- Bulky design.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Sound delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses and fit.
Sub-par for the office. Their open design doesn’t isolate any noise, but it also means it will leak quite a lot, which can disturb surrounding colleagues. On the upside, you won’t have to worry about a battery life since they are wired and they are comfortable to wear during long periods of time.
- Comfortable and sturdy design.
- Good audio reproduction with EQ and presets built into the amp.
- Great microphone.
- Bulky design.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Sound delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses and fit.
This wired gaming headset can't be used wirelessly.
Great for gaming. The A40 are comfortable for long gaming sessions, have a great sounding microphone, and their sound quality is also good. Their wired connection means you won’t have any delay when playing games, which is great but may not be as convenient as the wireless design of the Astro A50. On the other hand, they come with a great dock with plenty of controls and inputs. You can also control and customize them a bit inside their software on PC, but some people have encountered issues using the software.
- Comfortable and sturdy design.
- Good audio reproduction with EQ and presets built into the amp.
- Great microphone.
- Bulky design.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Sound delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses and fit.
- Comfortable and sturdy design.
- Good audio reproduction with EQ and presets built into the amp.
- Great microphone.
- Bulky design.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Sound delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses and fit.
Changelog
- Updated Dec 23, 2022: Users have reported significant issues using Astro Command Center. As a result, we have lowered the App Support score from '7.5' to '6.0' and added information regarding the issue to this box.
- Updated Nov 05, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Mar 26, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Astro A40 are great gaming headphones that set themselves apart by their unique design and good amp. However, they aren’t as customizable and don’t offer as much controls as other gaming headsets with amazing software. See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best PC headsets, the best headsets for Xbox One, and the best headsets for PS4.
The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 and the Astro A50 Gen 4 are both great headsets, though their connectivity options differ. The A40 2017 can only be used wired, while the A50 2019 can only be used wirelessly. They otherwise perform quite similarly overall, though competitive gamers will likely prefer the wired A40 2017 since they have less latency and require no consideration for battery life.
The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 are slightly better-wired gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017. The Astro are slightly more comfortable, their MixAmp allows you to customize your audio on the fly, and they have a better overall performing boom microphone. The Astro are advertised as being console locked, and may not be the best choice if you like to move between different consoles. The SteelSeries, on the other hand, leak less sound, have a 24-hour battery life, and can also be used wirelessly. However, you won't be able use them with a wireless connection on Xbox One since they don't support Xbox One Wireless.
The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 are better for wired gaming and neutral sound than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Astro are more comfortable, better built, and have a better-performing boom microphone. They have a wired design and can be used with Astro companion software, which offers a graphic EQ plus presets. On the downside, some users have reported issues using the software, which can be a deal breaker if you want to use them on newer consoles. However, the Beats are better for casual use as they have a wireless design, a more stable fit, and their sound profile is more neutral out of the box.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO and the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 are designed for different purposes but are both fairly versatile. The Beyerdynamic are simple studio headphones designed for critical listening, while the Astro A40 provide a customizable gaming experience. However, the Beyerdynamic can be a viable option for gamers who don't need a mic, while the Astro are also a decent choice for mixing podcasts or live streams. The biggest difference is in their sound profiles - the Beyerdynamic sound quite bright, even piercing to some, while the Astro sound less sharp but are also a bit dark. The Astro have many customization options, so you can more easily tweak their sound profile to better suit your tastes.
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