A20 Wireless – If you’ve ever used Astro products or even a gaming headset made for Xbox systems, you’ll recognize a lot about the Astro A20 (Gen 2). On the whole, it’s pretty much plug-and-play on Xbox, with a few added features that are mostly unavailable on PC.
The headset’s construction is more straightforward than, for example, the Astro A50 because it is a product at the lower end of the Astro line, but that is a positive thing. Most of this remains made of plastic, with fabric ear pads and a rubberized headband cushion. The fabric ear pads make long periods of wearing more comfortable and sweat-free than leather. The ear cups adjust to accommodate your ears’ angle as well. Although the rubberized headband is comfy, if you have longer hair, it could nag at it.
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How Is Using The A20 Wireless?
Although it’s not perfect everywhere, like many gaming headphones from the Made for Xbox line. The headset has buttons to switch between the game and chat channels and a volume dial, but playing PC games only allows you to access one audio track at a time headset’s three pre-loaded EQ presets are all accessible across platforms. The flip-to-mute mic performs as promised.
The Astro A20 wireless (Gen 2) connects to your preferred gaming system via a 2.4GHz USB wireless dongle instead of connected audio, but beware—this isn’t a typical wireless connection. The included dongle. Which utilizes the same Xbox Wireless connection standard as the LucidSound LS50X, prevents the Xbox version of the A20 wireless from functioning with devices like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. It also causes Windows to identify the dongle as an “Xbox Controller” when it remains plugged into your PC. . However, you can spend an additional USD 20 for the PS5 transmitter if you wish to connect the Xbox version to your PS5.
Alternatively, you may spend more money on the A20 wireless (Gen 2) PlayStation-focused model than the Xbox model. It will work with Sony systems, PCs, and Macs, but you won’t be able to play on Xbox consoles without purchasing the Xbox transmitter. However, since Nintendo enabled support for USB devices in version 4.0.0, you should be able to utilize the PS5 transmitter with a Switch.
What Is The Battery Life Of The Astro A20 Wireless (Gen 2)?
Astro states that the A20 wireless (Gen 2) can run for up to 15 hours on a single charge; however, our tests discovered that it lasts significantly longer. The headset lasted 20 hours and 33 minutes—more than 30% longer than anticipated—during continuous accurate audio playback with a 75dB(SPL) peak. While this performance isn’t terrible. It pales in comparison to more modern models like the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless or even the SteelSeries Arctis 7+.
Compared to comparable over-ear gaming headsets, the Astro A20 wireless (Gen 2) doesn’t isolate sounds very effectively. There are probably several causes for this. First, the headset may not create a perfect seal around your ears due to its form, angle, and limited tilt capabilities; it doesn’t work around mine. Additionally, the material used to cover the ear pads doesn’t improve isolation effectiveness.
Generally speaking, this will function okay in calmer residential contexts, but even mild noise will be audible.
The Astro A20 Wireless (Gen 2) Sounds Like How?
With a few noticeable exceptions, the Astro A20 wireless (Gen 2) produces sound relatively near our goal curve. The focus increases noticeably from 3 to 10 kHz in the high range, while it decreases below 40 Hz.
Three EQ available on the headset to alter how it sounds. Studio, Pro, and Astro. Astro is the default, and we have a measurement Studio. Pro remains intended to flatten the frequency response for media consumption and competitive gaming by removing the bass output from the mix. The Astro default sounds good in most situations, even though these selections don’t seem all that different. So although it’s still wonderful to have the option, you generally won’t feel the need to change things often.
Midpoints, Highs, And Lows
Most musical genres will sound good when the default EQ preset remains used over the Astro A20 wireless (Gen 2). The vocals in King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s song The Dripping Tap are audible both in the song’s quiet opening section and afterwards when the guitar and bass are heavily distorted. Each instrument still stands out even as the song’s intensity increases in the second half, and nothing seems more difficult to hear.
Such sounds shouldn’t be problematic in games. The numerous rumbles caused by explosions and shootings in games like Fortnite may not be as bothersome due to the minor reduction in sub-bass noise, which could be a good thing.
What Ought You Purchase In Its Place? The Astro A20 Wireless
If you’re looking for a quality Xbox Wireless gaming headset, you have two options: buy something that costs less but accomplishes all you need, or get something that costs more but has more features.
For either strategy, the Razer Kaira range has a fantastic alternative. The Astro A20 wireless (Gen 2) remains replaced with the USD 99 Razer Kaira Wireless. Which is more comfortable and has all the same functionality. At USD 149, the Razer Kaira Pro retails for a bit more than the A20 wireless (Gen 2). But it also adds Bluetooth capability.
The Razer Kaira range has a fantastic alternative. The Astro A20 (Gen 2) remains replaced with the USD 99 Razer Kaira Wireless. Which is more comfortable and has all the same functionality. At USD 149, the Razer Kaira Pro retails for a bit more than the A20 (Gen 2). But it also adds Bluetooth capability. Although both headsets require an extra Xbox Wireless adapter to function with a PC, they are regularly on sale.