Among the top gaming headsets you can buy today, Astro and Steelseries headphones are some of the best in the market. Take a look as we review them and find out which is the most suitable for your gaming needs.
If you are a gamer, it is common knowledge that finding a good and reliable gaming headset is just as important as choosing the best gaming keyboard or the best graphics card. After all, how you communicate with your friends and your virtual world’s audio quality all depends on the device you wear on your head. However, choosing the right gaming headset to cater to your gaming needs is a daunting task due to the ever-rising popularity of e-sports and the sheer amount of gaming market saturation. Luckily, Astro and Steelseries are two reputable gaming brands that manufacture various top-quality and versatile products. In the following table, we will compare these two brands and highlight their significant differences.
What are the differences between Astro and Steelseries?
[wpdatatable id=20]Astro vs. Steelseries- How do they compare?
Design/look:
The Astro A50 Wireless has an entirely black color scheme with grey accents for PS4 and PC and gold accents for the Xbox One/PC version. It also consists of neon piping that connects the large and round rectangular ear cups to the headband. The ear cups are quite large and made from mainly plastic and metal frame. Each earpad has a generous amount of memory foam and covered with breathable fabric matching the headband’s underside. Most controls on this headset are on the right ear cup, and the left ear cup hosts the adjustable and foldable microphone that flips up to automatically mute.
On the other hand, Arctis 7 has a futuristic yet minimalistic design that can blend with just about anything. Available in black and white, it also features a lightweight and ergonomic design as it contains an elastic headband and large swiveling ear cups that can fit most head shapes and sizes. Furthermore, each ear cup contains AirWeave ear cushioning for added comfort during long gaming sessions. Its ear cups also come with various controls, like the micro-USB charging port, aux port for wired connections, a volume dial, a detachable ClearCast microphone on its left ear cup, and the chat volume dial and power button on the right ear cup.
The Arctis 7 has a better design than the Astro A50 Wireless.
Build quality:
When it comes to build quality, the Astro A50 is well built as it is made from high-quality and durable plastic. Its big and magnetically attached ear pads, attached to a hollow plastic band using metal bars, come with a generous amount of memory foam and velour pads and are covered with breathable fabric that matches the padding on the headband’s underside. At 2.2 pounds, this gaming headset is relatively light for prolonged use. It is also worth noting that this headphone is compatible with Astro’s Mod Kit accessories that offer leatherette replacements for the ear pads and headband cushion.
The Arctis 7 consists of solid construction as it features a premium lightweight steel headband and large and dense ear pads. It also comes with an adjustable premium woven Ski Goggle Suspension band with two Velcro straps and plush ear cups for maximum comfort. As a result, the elastic band perfectly contours any head shape and size to ensure a snug fit while distributing the device’s weight evenly and eliminating any pressure points. Furthermore, the ear cushions consist of AirWeave Fabric, which is breathable and very comfortable, ideal for keeping your ears cool and dry.
The Arctis 7 features better build quality than the Astro A50.
Performance/sound quality:
Both the Astro A50 and Arctis 7 deliver stellar audio quality as they have a similar frequency response range of 20Hz- 20 kHz and 7.1 surround sound. They also come with 40mm neodymium drivers that help them reproduce plenty of punchy and detailed low-frequency depth, which is perfect for gaming. As a result, the audio performance difference between the Astro A50 and Arctis 7 is almost imperceptible.
However, the Astro A50 delivers a more customizable sound as it has a sensitivity rating of 48 Ohms and an impedance of 118dB. Additionally, you can customize your listening experience by setting up the Steelseries Engine 3 software that allows you to create different sound profiles and attach them to various games and programs. The software also offers users a plethora of equalization options for a better gaming experience. Alternatively, Arctis 7 has a sensitivity rating of 32 Ohms, meaning it can achieve higher volume levels with less power and an impedance rating of 98dB.
When playing Call of Duty: Warzone, both headsets delivered an impeccable bass response that did not overpower the mids, high, or treble. As a result, I could hear footsteps, explosions, and character voices with excellent detail.
Both Astro A50 and Arctis 7 deliver excellent sound quality/ performance.
Microphone sound quality:
In terms of microphone sound quality, both the Astro A50 and Arctis 7 feature a noise-canceling and bi-directional microphone attached to the left ear cup. The Astro A50, specifically, comes with a permanent and flexible microphone that delivers excellent audio quality. However, users are likely to notice some slight tinkering, but this is fixable through the Astro Command Center. Otherwise, the default mic audio settings lack a certain level of clarity as they do not cancel background noises efficiently.
Alternatively, the Arctis 7 features a high-quality detachable ClearCast microphone that reproduces studio-quality sound. With a frequency response range of 10 Hz- 10 kHz, this microphone delivers a variety of sound fields with minimal distortion.
The Astro A50 delivers better microphone sound quality due to its customization option via the Astro Command Center.
Comfort:
When buying a gaming headset, comfort is a crucial consideration. Since you are likely to wear them for several hours at a time, a comfortable pair of headsets guarantee their durability. Both the Astro A50 and Arctis 7 are relatively light gaming headphones that offer plenty of comforts.
In particular, the Astro A50 comes with heavily padded earpieces with plenty of foam padding for a comfortable yet snug fit. Its unique design ensures its weight is equally dispersed over the entire unit, providing no discomfort or irritation, even after long hours of use. Despite its size and weight, the Astro A50 is quite comfortable due to the soft foam on the headband and ear cups.
On the other hand, Arctis 7 is also a very elegant and comfortable gaming headset. It consists of an elastic band and large ear cups covered with breathable fabric for proper ventilation around your ears. As a result, the adjustable headband guarantees a perfect fit for most head sizes and shapes without applying any pressure points.
The Arctis 7 is more comfortable than the Astro A50 due to its elastic band and large ear pads.
Astro vs. Steelseries- A comparison review
Astro review:
Since its establishment in 2009, Astro Gaming has been a prominent contender in the video gaming arena. It has manufactured some of the best and most popular professional-grade video gaming equipment that caters to gaming enthusiasts and professional gamers’ gaming needs. As a result, this brand is synonymous with high quality, elegance, and durability in the gaming world.
In particular, the Astro A50 is one of the most popular gaming headsets from the brand. It comes with the impressive build quality, although it is primarily made from plastic with bits of metal. The earphones feature a comfortable and breathable fabric that ensures maximum comfort when playing for long hours on end. Additionally, its left ear cup comes with an attached, noise-canceling, and bi-directional microphone that automatically mutes when flipped up.
The sound quality of this headset is quite impressive, making up for its price point. It delivers a powerful bass output with 40mm neodymium drivers, which may be too much for some, but can be tweaked, from the software settings. Another impressive feature of this headphone is that it comes with Dolby 7.1 surround sound, which gives users an added advantage when playing video games. As a result, you can hear practically everything, meaning you can be fully immersed and concentrated on your game.
Given it is a wireless headset, you have to charge it now and then. It comes with a USB charging dock that you can plug into your console or PC. In addition, the dock has LED lights to show how much battery life is available and how much charge the headset contains. Generally, it has an overall battery life of about 15 hours and takes approximately four hours to recharge fully.
- Excellent sound quality with Dolby 7.1 surround sound
- Solid construction
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Flexible microphone
- Recharges quickly
- Expensive.
Steelseries review:
Founded in 2001, Steelseries is a recognized Danish company in the gaming accessories and peripherals market across the globe. It consists of some of the best and most innovative gaming accessories on the market without compromising quality and affordability.
The Steelseries Arctis 7 is a great wireless gaming headset that contains an ergonomic yet elegant design. With its aluminum frame and adjustable Ski Goggle Suspension headband with Velcro straps, this headset is very comfortable and can fit small, medium, or large heads. The headphone also comes with swiveling ear cups that contain AirWeave fabric ear cushioning for optimum comfort when playing marathon gaming sessions.
Furthermore, the ear cups have various controls, including a 3.5mm port, volume dial, mute mic button, 4-pin ports, and a retractable ClearCast microphone on the left ear cup. The right ear cup houses a power button and a dial for switching between chat and game audio channels.
In terms of audio performance, the Arctis 7 features a wide frequency response range of 20Hz- 20 kHz and sports a DTI 7.1 digital surround sound for realistic 3D audio performance. Furthermore, you can use the Steelseries Engine Software to toy with the surround sound and its plethora of equalization options. As a result, the audio is superb with crisp and clear mids and highs and plenty of powerful low-frequency depth.
Given that the Arctis 7 is wireless, it comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts a maximum of 24 hours and takes about four hours to recharge fully. It also has a lossless 2.4GHz wireless audio that has a range of up to 30 feet, perfect for latency gaming.
- Fantastic audio quality with good surround sound
- Solid connectivity options
- Comfortable
- Compact and lightweight design
- Seamlessly wireless with a range of 30 feet
- Overemphasized bass.
Final verdict: So, which is better, Astro or Steelseries?
Upon careful consideration, Steelseries is a better gaming brand than Astro due to its more years of experience in the industry, affordable yet high-quality products, and a versatile range of products. However, Astro Gaming also manufactures excellent gaming accessories that meet the needs of many gaming professionals and gaming enthusiasts who strive to achieve the best and do not mind spending the extra coin.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it possible to chat with the Astro A50 microphone without attaching the chat adapter cable to the controller?
The Astro A50 Wireless does not require a cable to chat, unlike the Astro A50 Gen 1 and 2 versions.
Does the Arctis 7 work with an Xbox controller?
Yes. It connects to an Xbox controller using its 3.5mm cable but does not work wirelessly through a wireless adapter.