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GAMING FEATURE

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THE JUICE! Not only does the base station keep the A50 X charged and ready to rock, it also indicates battery level via four LEDs. In use, you can expect around a marathon 24 hours from a single full charge.

GO STRATOSPHERIC WITH THE ASTRO A50 X

gets an A-plus, and the thoughtful design continues to the rest of the headset, which weighs just 363 grams. Easily plopped onto the magnetic base station for charging as well as safe keeping, it provides several options for getting the comfort just right on your head. This includes swivelling magnetically detachable cups – each clad with super-comfy soft foam – as well as a cushioned pad on the underside of the headband. Visually, the headset follows classic Astro lines, with an angular look using matt black – or white – combined with two prominent metal posts for height adjustment. It feels pleasingly solid in-hand. The broadcast quality bendy flip to-mute mic sits upright at attention on the left earcup when not in use, easily pulled down and manoeuvred into perfect place when required. All the functionality and looks mean nothing, however, if a headset doesn’t deliver sonically. If you pulled apart the A50 X – which we really, really don’t recommend – you’d find two 40mm graphene drivers, which deliver a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. In real world

When it comes to gaming headsets there’s a lot of choice, ranging from cheap and cheerful to high end with all the bells and whistles. Logitech G’s Astro A50 X Wireless Headset + Base Station sits at the head of the premium table. Words Amy Flower I f you’re really into your gaming, you’re likely set up with a PC rig, a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X or S, and

through all the latest HDMI 2.1 benefits such as VRR, ALLM, and 24-bit audio as it does so. The base station also houses your PC connection

possibly a Nintendo Switch as well. When it comes to wireless headsets, this can provide a challenge, in that one size rarely fits all due to various

via USB-C, looks after console microphone connection (via two

terms, be it gaming, watching a movie, or taking in some tunes,

more USB-C sockets), and acts as a hub for Bluetooth devices such as

this headset delivers seriously sumptuous sonic oomph, with a great range from bass through mids to highs, and often startling clarity. Thanks to Logitech’s LIGHTSPEED wireless tech, connection remained rock solid no matter where we roamed in our flat during testing. All of the various console audio formats are supported, including Dolby Atmos on Xbox and PC, and Tempest 3D on PS5. If you’re after a one-unit-suits all gaming headset solution that doesn’t skimp on high-end features, and also delivers sensational sound, then the Astro A50 X may just belong at the head of your wish list.

different compatibilities, so you juggle different ear gear for different consoles. The Astro A50 X provides a very neat solution to support all of these formats - and does it while offering a raft of other features as well. If you have all of these games

a Switch or your smartphone as well.

• The Logitech G Astro A50 X Wireless Headset + Base Station is out now

Logitech’s PLAYSYNC makes it a doddle to switch between devices on the fly without even getting up – a handy button on the right earcup of the headset toggles between consoles and PC. A Bluetooth button handles the others. There’s also an easy to fumble for volume roller, power off/on, and the cup cover works as a rocker switch that easily adjusts the balance between game sound and voice. The functionality certainly

G-HUB Logitech G’s free mobile app or G-Hub PC software lets you tweak various settings to get the A50 X sounding just how you want. Functions include everything from mic settings to a 10-band parametric EQ, and beyond.

machines set up, you’ll likely have encountered the need for more HDMI ports into your TV or receiver - there just never seem to be enough of them! The compact yet power-packed base station in the Astro A50 X package is a godsend here, in that it can take two HDMI devices – say your PS5 and Xbox – and then connect them to one TV or receiver HDMI socket, passing

12 MARCH 2024

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