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  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Compare

Astro A50 Gen 3 vs SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsBreathabilityPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass AccuracyMid AccuracyTreble AccuracyPeaks/DipsImagingPassive SoundstageVirtual SoundstageWeighted Harmonic DistortionTest Settings
    Isolation
      Noise IsolationLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      Wired ConnectionBluetooth ConnectionWireless Connection (Dongle)PC CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox CompatibilityBase/DockPC / PS4 Compatibility
    Comments

Products

Astro A50 Gen 3
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated May 30, 2025 02:38 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.6

Updated Jan 26, 2026 08:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Astro A50 Gen 3 Picture

Track

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Picture

Track

TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingNo
MicYes
TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingNo
MicYes

Our Verdict

Astro A50 Gen 3

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and the Astro A50 Gen 3 are both good gaming headphones, but for different reasons. The SteelSeries have a better microphone recording quality, and their battery life is also noticeably longer. With the SteelSeries, you can stream music from a Bluetooth source at the same time as playing games. They can also be used passively with a 1/8” audio cable, while the Astro don’t have the appropriate jack. On the other hand, the Astro are more comfortable and deliver sound more consistently across users than the SteelSeries.

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

0 

Variants

  • A50 Gen 3 (PS4)
  • A50 Gen 3 (Xbox One)
  • Arctis 9X (Black)

Review

See Astro A50 Gen 3 Review
See SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Review
1 
2 

Check Price

PS4
A50 Gen 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Xbox One
A50 Gen 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Arctis 9X
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
Arctis 9X
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

0.0
N/A
JOIN NOW  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference  

Lock °C
Lock °C

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

L  

Lock"
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock"
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock"
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

N/A
N/A

W  

N/A
N/A

H  

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Side Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Top  

Top Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Consistency R  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Imaging 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Passive Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Astro A50 Gen 3 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Openness 
 

0.0
0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.0
0.0

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90 
 

Lock
Lock

WHD @ 100 
 

Lock
Lock

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

LFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

HFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Weighted THD 
 

Lock
Lock

Gain 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Astro A50 Gen 3 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SpNR 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Gate 
 

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Additional Charges 
 

Lock
Lock

Total Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Charge Time 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 3 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

NFC Pairing 
 

Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

Lock ft
Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - Dongle 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked

PC / PS4 Compatibility 
 

PC/PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PC/PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

PS4
A50 Gen 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Xbox One
A50 Gen 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Arctis 9X
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
Arctis 9X
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Back to Top

Astro A50 Gen 3

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Astro A50 Gen 3 vs SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless: Main Discussion

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