Here are a couple of questions before we get started. Do you like Astro headsets? Do you like the A40 headset? Do you own an Xbox One? If you’ve answered yes to all three, definitely get the Astro A40 and Mixamp M80 Xbox One headset. It’s the same A40 headset that everyone loves with the bundled M80 Mixamp, which is light years ahead of the regular Microsoft chat adapter.
The first thing you’re going to notice is, of course, how gorgeous this rebranded A40 headset it. The color scheme is this really neat blue, a light grey/white-ish stone color and a dark grey. I would have thought that an Xbox One-branded A40 headset would have the Xbox Green instead. Nevertheless, the blue is killer and the color scheme is phenomenal. You’re gonna like the way you look wearing this headset — I guarantee it.
Just like every A40 headset, this one is very comfortable. It’s really light for the size of it. I’m used to tighter headsets, so I was a bit surprised when I wore it. It felt, not loose, but like it was just gently resting on me, but it makes for a comfortable fit. A big part of that is due to the over-the-ear cushy ear pads and headband pad. It just doesn’t feel bad after extended use. I played the entire Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare campaign — and a good amount of multiplayer — with the Astro A40, and I never once felt the need to take it off. It’s great that you get this much comfort without sacrificing durability. The A40 is sturdy in its build, with a good amount of give when twisting and bending.
I consider the A40 for Xbox One the complete package, because not only does it look and wear good, but it sounds good too. It’s stereo, so if you want 7.1 surround sound, you’ll have to use it with the Astro Mixamp Pro. Still, the sound is top-notch. I raved about the sounds of the guns in Advanced Warfare, and the A40 did them proud. From the highest highs, to the lowest bass, and all the mids in-between, the Astro A40 Xbox One Edition handles everything you can throw at it. There’s a clarity to the sound that is pure. The A40 is not noise cancelling, so you will hear some background noise or your own voice. If you’re looking for a pure noise cancelling headset, you’ll have to get something else. The unidirectional mic also transports your voice clearly to your party members. My friends on Xbox Live said it’s one of the better mics I’ve used.
The equal star of this show is the Astro Mixamp M80 that comes with the A40 for the Xbox One. It is Astro’s own chat adapter for the Xbox One controller, and it’s so much better than the one Microsoft sells. The finish is a metallic gunmetal. It lets you choose from three different EQ modes, has game-to-voice balancing that you can adjust on the fly, really nice lighting to display your settings and volume, a knob to turn for volume on the bottom, and in the center of that knob is the mute button. Unfortunately, you can’t buy the Mixamp M80 on its own, so you’ll have to get it with the A40. The wire from the Mixamp plugs directly into the A40 with a 3.5mm end. The M80 contributes greatly to the sound quality, and I didn’t expect so much from such a tiny device.
Also, don’t let the Xbox One stop you from using this A40 headset with any 3.5mm device. There’s no voice monitoring, and I could never hear my own voice in my headset, but those aren’t deal breakers for me, like they might be for some. The same can be said for the stereo and not surround sound. For really serious gamers that NEED the surround sound, they’d have to buy the Mixamp Pro. Again, that might be a deal breaker for some.
If you really want just the M80, you’ll have to purchase the Astro A40 + Mixamp M80 bundle for Xbox One. Due to restrictions, it has to be purchased with the headset (probably a Microsoft rule so you have to buy their chat adapter). For people looking for a high-end headset for Xbox One gaming, it’s really the perfect solution. I can’t recommend it if you feel 7.1 surround sound is a must, though; there are better options for you if that’s the case. But the overall package of the A40’s design, quality, sound and comfort, combined with the awesome M80 Mixamp, is really great for $200.
Reviewed with a provided Review Unit.
