I know turn my audio to the half point volume and have the MixAmp turned up. I even jumped in the software and configured my own settings and set it to option 1 when I play games like Days Gone or God of War. Unbelievable difference and recommend the MixAmp to anyone just using headphones plugged into the PS4 controller. Driver finder key.
Hardwired for streamers
The Astro A40 2019 TR + MixAmp Pro 4th Generation are great gaming headphones that have a pretty good audio reproduction and a great microphone for online games. They keep the same comfortable and sturdy build of the previous Astro A40 model. They have a newly designed MixAmp, but it still offers the same multiple inputs and controls, just on a. Consisting of an ASTRO A40 TR headset and a MixAmp Pro TR mixer/amplifier, this kit is the premium gaming audio solution for professional gamers. The headset delivers serious gaming sound from its 40mm drivers. The swappable parts offer you the ability to customize with extra mic, speaker tags, ear. How To Update Astro Mixamp Firmware. Astro A50 Gen 3 software update and eq. How to get sound from your PS4 and computer at the same time using a Astro A40 PRO TR Mixamp. A40 TR Headset. USB Power Cable, Optical Cable, and A40 Inline Mute Cable. First, ensure the MixAmp TR has the most recent firmware installed. Ensure the MixAmp TR is connected to the USB Port on your PC in order to update it on your PC through the ASTRO Command Center. Connect the MixAmp TR to your PC.
Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR – Design and Features
While Astro doesn’t make the most outrageous looking headsets out there, there’s no denying the A40 is a gaming headset and little has changed in the way of the aesthetic. For better or worse, it’s still the same design—with oversized ear cups, shiny metal rods, and a bendable microphone. However, the newest A40 TR is more subtle, featuring black plastic, chrome rods, and either cobalt or black speaker tags. (Side note: the Xbox One version features black and red accents which look undeniably classy but not particularly Xbox-y.)Like its predecessors, the A40 TR is ready for lightweight customization. The microphone is detachable, as are the speaker tags and fabric headband cushion. And also like its predecessors, Astro’s still nickel and dime-ing for Mod Kits, which feature synthetic leather noise-isolating ear cups, a voice isolating microphone, a different headband, and closed-back speaker tags. I definitely believe these should be included in the box of this $250 wired headset, but they’re by no means a must-have purchase unless you require improved noise isolation.
More Expert Tech Roundups
The main feature on display here is the MixAmp Pro TR, which boasts new features to go with its entirely new design. For those unfamiliar, the MixAmp is a small mixer that allows you to change volume, flip between EQ presets, and adjust the game and voice balance of your mix on the fly. It’s been a significant boon to pro gamers and streamers, and has helped cement Astro’s place in the esports scene.The new MixAmp features two oversized, horizontally positioned nobs with easy to spin dials. One adjusts volume, the other adjusts the mix. There are also two buttons on the front of the device—one to activate Dolby and one to switch between any of the four customizable EQ settings. On the back of the MixAmp, you’ll find a surprising number of ports. There are two spots to daisy chain your MixAmp—a feature centered straight toward Pros—an optical audio port, a switch that lets you toggle between your console and PC, an Aux input, and a Streaming output. The A40 plugs into the only port on the front of the device.
If that sounds like a lot, well, the A40 isn’t for you.
Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR – Gaming Performance
There’s been a ton of thought put into the design of the new Mixamp. It’s easy to adjust the inputs without actually looking at it, thanks to the lopsided design and lights on the dial. These lights are a bit too bright for me, but they do make it easy to tell which dial you’re grasping, and I’m thankful they don’t pulse, flash, or do whatever other obnoxious behavior gamer gear is always up to. I also love that the only port on the front is the headphone jack, which makes the heavy little box look clean from the front, while everything else is relegated to its unsightly but highly functional backside.Astro A40 Mixamp Pro Software
However, nothing about the Mixamp and headset are going to look clean if you have to stretch the cords across your entire living room. If you game on a couch across the room from a TV (a pretty standard use case) your place will be overrun by wires. And because one of the cords plugs into the optical audio on the back of your console, and one likely to the USB on the front/side, unplugging the Mixamp isn’t as convenient as you might think. On the other hand, if you’re a desktop gamer—be it on PC, Mac, or desktop console, the Mixamp looks sleek and, honestly, pretty professional. Still, that was a small consolation while cords were draped across my hardwood floor.
Both the PS4 and Xbox One are certified for Dolby Audio, but only the Xbox console has that functionality. That means that one of the two buttons on the PS4 version doesn’t do anything beneficial while gaming on PS4. On Xbox and PC, Dolby surround sound offers refined directional audio that helps you pinpoint enemies and footfalls. But as usual, I don’t think you’re missing much without it. Furthermore, the Astro A40s already boast reliable directional audio, and the number of games available for Xbox is so limited, you might never even turn it on. Still, if you’re gaming on PC and don’t have a strong preference for red hues or blues, consider this: only the Xbox version ships with a 2-year Dolby subscription.
Like all A40s, these are quite comfortable. I didn’t experience any head fatigue, no matter how long I was playing, and I have a seven 5/8ths head.
Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR – Gaming Software
Tinkerers will delight in the Command Center software, which lets you customize everything from the entire mix of your streaming output to how much atmospheric noise the mic picks up. However, for those not familiar with dealing in dB and Hz, the Command Center can feel a little mysterious. After the excellent—and accessible—Command Center software for Astro’s C40 TR controller, I had hoped their audio version would offer a bit more clarity. But customizing your EQ presets is intrinsically hardcore, and many beginners will be happy with the four preset EQs.Those EQ profiles are easily switched between with the tap of a button, but they’re not all created equal. Astro is a bass-heavy option, Natural Bass is entirely neutral (flat), Balanced is—ironically— not balanced, favoring highs and mids, and Tournament does the same while also punching bass through the roof. Ultimately, each game will beg for a different EQ—though I’d be amazed if most people ever use Natural Bass.
Thankfully, you can adjust way more than the four presets. You can adjust your USB Mic level, Side tone, noise gate, and stream levels. I found the Side tone slider to be particularly useful. Cranked to the highest levels, I could hear my fiancee in the room next door and make out the songs she was listening to, while still gaming on my own (creepy spy stuff, right?). If you live in a noisy house or sit in the presence of an old PS4 that sounds like a jet turbine—you can lower the noise gate, which makes it far less sensitive to that background noise.
Purchasing Guide
The Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR has an MSRP of $249 and it's the same price online.Atsro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR
See itVerdict
While the new A40s sound is improved, with a punchier bass and generally fuller sound, the real star here is the MixAmp. Whether adjusting the stream output or Game/Voice mix on the fly, Streamers especially will find Astro’s newest package heavenly. Those relegated to gaming on the couch will likely grow weary of the corded hell they’ve created.
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The MixAmp and A40 are both improved, creating a much better sound, but wires are still a bummer.
Recommends
I really love mix controllers for audio on Xbox One and PC. As a game streamer, being able to control the sound mix is critical for separating console game sound between yourself, the stream, and voice comms, and my daily driver has been Turtle Beach's Elite Pro Tournament combo. However, it's not the only available solution.
Say hi to the Astro A40 TR with MixAmp Pro, a similarly priced bundle that brings across many similar features. We'll be doing a deeper comparison between these two headset titans in the future, but for now, here's what sort of experience you'll get with the wired Astro A40 TR on Xbox One or PC.
Specs
- Frequency Response: 20 - 24,000 Hz
- Distortion: THD < 0.1%
- Microphone: 6.0mm unidirectional with noise gate (detachable)
- Nominal Impedance: 48 ohms
- Weight: 360 grams
- Connection: 3.5mm to headset, USB and SPDIF to Xbox and PC
- Surround: Dolby Headphone 7.1
- In the box: Headset, 3.5mm cable, optical cable, MixAmp controller,
- Price: $250
Design and comfort
Astro headsets follow a common theme of heavenly comfort, and the A40 is no different here. Whether you're using the faux leather mod kit for full noise isolation, or the softer fabric cups that come bundled with the set, your ears are going to have a good time. The over-ear configuration gives even the largest ears plenty of room to breathe, and the fact you can easily remove the cushioning (held on with nifty magnets) makes this headset supremely easy to clean. The cups are adjustable too, rotating and sliding to accommodate any head shape. The microphone can be removed and adjusted to fit your needs as well (or replaced entirely).
Speaking of removable parts, every aspect of the Astro headset screams quality. There are no cut corners here, leading the field for headsets in this price bracket. Astro really typifies 'gamer' design conventions, with loud and gaudy angles and features that wouldn't necessarily find themselves welcome on regular music headphones. I'm not a big fan personally, but that's wholly subjective. What matters most is the construction, and Astro is a leader here. This headset will take a beating, the plastics feel dense and don't creak or crack under pressure, complemented by metal connectors in all the right places.
The Astro comes in both white and black flavors, with the white version sporting red accents, and the black sporting gold. You can customize the speaker plates on the outside, even with customized images via Astro's website, which is a truly awesome touch.
My only criticisms are of the MixAmp box itself. While it sports the same material quality as the headset, it falls into the same trap as similar controllers: it's just too damn light. The cables will cause this box to annoyingly slide all over the place. The rest of the design is good, however, with notched dials and LED lights which help you easily find the controls you want and need. The white version gets quite visibly dusty, however, and the glossy material doesn't help. It's easily cleaned, though.
Overall, the A40 and the MixAmp it comes bundled with is a tremendous, comfortable product, that should withstand plenty of punishment. How does it sound though?
Audio experience
The best thing about mix controllers is that they offer precision tuning over the volume of your game, and your voice. Whether you're using a basic one connected to your controller, or something more expensive like Astro's solution, I can't recommend them enough for frequent party chatters. The Astro solution is a cut above, however.
Save for my problems with the weight of the MixAmp, the ability to very precisely control the volume of chat sound in relation to game sound is a beautiful thing. Additionally, if you're a game streamer, you can hook the MixAmp up to your PC via USB for system sounds and PC voice chat, while feeding in game sounds via optical cable from your Xbox One. Set up is easy, consistent, and just works. I've had issues with echoing, drivers, volume, and firmware on some competing solutions in complex setups, but the A40 has just been a pleasure to use on both PC and Xbox One, mixing audio across both devices. Additionally, Astro eliminated the need for a 3.5mm connection to the Xbox controller as well for voice chat, which Turtle Beach's Elite Pro Tournament requires for some odd reason. Fewer cables is good.
The 7.1 surround is a far richer experience than basic stereo headsets too, and in my opinion, beats Dolby Atmos (mainly because most games do not yet support Atmos). You can also disable 7.1 on the mix controller if you want to listen to music in stereo. It supports an array of EQ presets as well, which can be configured on PC using Astro's competent command software. Far too many headset companies provide a sub-par software experience on PC, so it's nice to see quality software that matches the likes of Razer for a change. Updating the firmware was as easy as plugging the headset in.
The audio quality is crystal clear, completely distortion free, with loud and clear mic monitoring feedback so you don't end up yelling. The only downside I've found is that the mic often struggles to pick up your sound if you're being quiet, though you can configure the noise gate on the mic using the Astro's software. The A40 provides crisp audio on impact hits and sweeping ambience as creatures and other effects encircle your player. Astro has done a great job at defining the surround channels, which is free of clipping even at the higher volumes. You won't be disappointed with the sound scape here, for both game audio and chat.
Final thoughts
The A40 TR MixAmp bundle is for serious gamers, particularly streamers who want to take their set up to the next level. I'm pretty sure the vast majority of gamers will be more than happy with the convenience of a wireless solution like the Astro A20, but if you have the cash to spend, 7.1 audio is far richer and more immersive experience.
Pros:
- A pleasure to wear with premium materials.
- Rich 7.1 surround sound.
- Clear mic monitoring and voice chat.
- Customizable with personalized designs.
Cons:
- MixAmp should be heavier to anchor the cables.
Astro is an incredibly reliable brand, and I've found myself impressed with the quality, comfort, and most importantly, the sound of its products. Critically, Astro also provides high quality PC software, which makes configuration and firmware updating easy, compared with some competing solutions. This headset just works on both Xbox One and PC, even if you want to get more complicated mixing chat through your PC, while feeding in audio from your console.
The Astro A40 TR ticks all the right boxes for a $250 set. If you're in the market to elevate your Xbox One or PC headset experience, there's absolutely nothing here you'll find disappointing.
Astro Mixamp Update
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