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Logitech G has announced the Astro A50 X headphones. These headphones allow for seamless switching between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
High-end headphones for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. That’s what the new Astro A50 X from Logitech G aims to offer. The headset should not only be compatible with all these consoles (and the Switch). It should also be able to switch between audio/video signals with just a press of a button on the headset.
This will be possible thanks to a docking station that also acts as a sort of HDMI switch. But what else can the headphones do?
Multiplatform gaming headphones Astro A50 X
The Astro A50 X are wireless headphones that Logitech calls the fifth generation of the Astro A50 series.
What makes the Astro A50 X special? It comes with a docking station that serves as a charging base and has a magnetic click mechanism for reliable charging of the headset.
The main draw, however, could be that you can connect your PlayStation, Xbox, and PC all at the same time.
A button on the headphones, which Logitech G calls the “Playsync button,” supposedly allows you to switch from the Xbox signal to the PlayStation signal in a matter of moments.
This changes both the image signal on the TV and the audio signal.
How does the switching work? As mentioned briefly, the docking station is intended to serve as a sort of HDMI switch. You connect your consoles to the base using HDMI 2.1 and USB-C cables. The PC “only” connects via USB-C.
When you press the PlaySync button on the headphones, you switch both the video and audio signals to the corresponding console.
The exception is the PC, where only the audio signal is switched. According to Logitech G, this is because PC gamers are used to frame rates higher than what the transmitter allows with its limited frame rate of 120 hertz.
What will the video quality be like? If the video signal does not go directly from the console to the screen, there may be a reduction in image quality and response time.
In a press demonstration we attended last Thursday (11/30/23), we were assured that the response time would increase by a maximum of 2 milliseconds. The PassThru HDMI 2.1 also offers 24-bit audio and resolutions of up to 4K at 120 hertz.
Why is there no video signal for PC? During the press presentation, Logitech mentioned that PC gamers are accustomed to higher frame rates. That’s why they decided not to use an HDMI PassThru.
Other features: The microphone offers 16-bit sound at 48KHz and the battery is said to last up to 24 hours. According to Logitech, the Astro A50 X will also be fully integrated into the G Hub software. This will allow for precise sound adjustments with a 10-band equalizer.
Additionally, you should be able to listen to two sources of sound if needed. One being the signal from the consoles or PC, and the other being the Bluetooth signal from your mobile phone.
Price and Release
The Astro A50 X will be released in the US on December 20. During the press presentation, it was mentioned that it will not be launched in Europe until February.
The cost will be 399 euros.
Technical Data of the Astro A50 X
In a press release, Logitech has sent us the technical data of their new headphones:
HDMI 2.1 PassThru
- HDMI 2.1 connections with a bandwidth of 40 Gbps
- Automatic low latency mode (ALLM)
- Variable refresh rate (VRR)
Audio
- 2x HDMI audio up to 24 bits/48 kHz (console)
- 2x USB Audio up to 16 bit/48 kHz (console)
- 1x USB Audio up to 24 bit/48 kHz (PC)
- Driver: 40 mm PRO-G GRAPHENE
- Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio + Windows Sonic compatible on XBOX and Windows 10/11
- 3D Audio on PS5
Microphone
- Recording mode: Omnidirectional
- Frequency: 60 – 20,000 Hz
- Sampling rate: up to 16 bits/48 kHz
Wireless Technology
- LIGHTSPEED Wireless @ 24 bit/48 kHz
- Up to 12 meters via LIGHTSPEED
- Bluetooth®
What do you think of the newly announced Astro A50 X? Do you play with multiple consoles or with a console and a PC and could use headphones like these? What do you think of the design? What do you think of the HDMI switching function? Do you think you will use it? Let us know in the comments!
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