Astro A10 Gen 2 Headset Review – Budget Gaming Hero

To be a budget gaming hero, the Astro A10 Gen 2s need to have a few things going for them. They need to have good sound, a comfortable feel and be built to last.

Analog joys

Analog headsets offer versatile connectivity options which not only allow you to use multiple devices to listen on them, but give you the option to boost quality with a DAC, or increase volume with an amplifier. This allows you more options to get the sound you want out of your audio devices than with, say, a bluetooth headset. You’re also very likely to use your analog headset on a wide variety of devices.

We received the Astro A10 Gen 2s and the first thing that I appreciated was good build quality and comfort. This is a snug and warm headset which cuts out background noise with padding. At the price point of ZAR 1100 or thereabouts, you’re not going to get ANC (active noise cancellation), so I appreciated having this by design.

For longer gaming sessions, the comfort was good and I didn’t feel fatigued using the A10 Gen 2. I must admit that the clamping force of the headset was a little strong but not overbearing. The Astro A10 Gen 2 unit we received is compatible with PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC/Mac, Switch and mobile.

Good quality for the price

The Astro A10 Gen 2’s audio quality is decent, but you shouldn’t expect sparkly highs or well-tempered mids. You’re paying for build quality and comfort above audio quality.

The mid-range frequencies (mids) were a little too muddy and overwhelming. The highs are not sharp enough to hear hi-hats in some of the more diverse pieces of music I listened to. Bass on this unit was tight and clear though, which is what I expect out of a budget headphone.

I could describe the A10 Gen 2s as a “gamery” looking headset with bright colours and “loud” aesthetic. For a headset marketed toward gamers, it’ll have the looks. The unit we received was the Salvage edition, and I quite liked the look of it, even if my tastes are a little conservative.

I compared audio quality to these sets of headphones using a FIIO A1 mobile headphone amplifier:

1. Audio-Technica SJ55
2. Audio-Technica SJ33
3. AKG K240 Studio monitors

I wore the drivers in for every headphone in the list above. I also used no equalisation to listen to the “natural” sound of the headphones above along with the A10.

No hearsay

I tested the boom microphone on the unit on Zoom calls and multiplayer sessions and had no issues with audio quality. The one complaint, if I could call it that, was that my voice came up a bit loud. Not a biggie then.

The mic isn’t replaceable, so you’re going to have to get the headset replaced or repaired if you have any issues.

Solid overall

The Astro A10 was a great unit to use over long periods and held up very well. I would suggest the A10 Gen 2 headset, not only for gaming but for working too, thanks to the solid compatibility of the analog jack it employs.

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Specifications

Primary

Microphone: 6.0mm uni-directional microphone
Ear Coupling: Over-Ear
Connection: 3.5mm 5Pole Jack
Drivers: 32mm Neodymium Magnet

Technical

Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Distortion: < 3% at 1 kHz
104dB +/- 3dDB AT 1 kHz
DC impedance 32 ohms

Physical

Headband Pressure: 4.5N
Weight w/o Cable: 246 grams
Height: 17.3cm (Slider closed)
Width: 18.3cm
Depth: 7.7cm

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