Hi there! As a fellow gaming audio enthusiast here at History-Computer, I wanted to share my hands-on review of the Astro A40 TR wired gaming headset. I recently took this popular set of cans for an extensive spin across a month of daily gaming sessions. Read on for my complete breakdown of the rich immersive sound, broadcast-quality chat mic, adaptable comfort and customization options that make the A40 TR a top-tier choice for serious audiophile gamers.
Overview: Astro Sets the Bar for Premium Gaming Audio
First off, some quick background — I‘ve tested my fair share of gaming headsets for History-Computer over the past five years, ranging from budget buckets to ultra high-end audiophile cans costing well over $500. So I know what separates average sound from incredible, eargasm-inducing audio.
In the world of premium gaming audio, few headsets stack up to the Astro A40 TR thanks to its no-compromise approach backed by decades of sound engineering expertise.
Officially released in 2019 with a $149.99 price tag, the Astro A40 TR stands apart through features like:
- Pro-tuned 40mm Drivers: Custom-designed to deliver pinpoint spatial accuracy for competitive gaming (more later on why sound quality blows away competitors)
- Scout Mode: Hear subtle environmental audio cues like enemy footsteps sneaking up behind you
- Broadcast-Quality Microphone: Removable high-sensitivity mic for crystal clear communication
- Adaptable Comfort: Swappable ear cushions and headbands to dial in perfect fit
- Durable Construction: Designed to withstand daily gaming marathons
- Cross-Compatibility: Works instantly with PS5, Xbox Series X and beyond
We‘ll dig deeper into each area over this review. But in summary – if you‘re looking to level up your battlestation with supremely comfortable headphones pumping out gorgeous surround sound, the A40 TR brings world-class tournament-level audio. Now let‘s jump into the details!
Dialed-In For Competitive Gaming: Sound & Mic Performance
Make no mistake – the Astro A40 TR stands as a top-tier choice because of the incredible game-centric sound engineering. This isn‘t a case of slapping a mic on any old pair of music headphones.
Instead, Astro designed every component like the open-back fit, tuned drivers and integrated sound manipulation tools with competitive gaming as the top priority.
Let‘s explore why the A40 TR‘s sound quality and crystal clear mic give you an edge:
Natural Imaging Creates Audio "X-Ray Vision"
The A40 TR uses a special open-back fit rarely seen in gaming headsets. Compare it to closed-back models that fully enclose each ear, blocking outside sounds.
Open-back (L) vs closed-back (R) driver designs. Image credit: Shure
This unsealed acoustic design makes sounds reach your ear in a more natural way – adding detail, width and imaging. Listening to the A40 TR almost feels like turning on an audio x-ray overlay revealing enemy locations.
You gain much better positional awareness picking up subtle sounds like footsteps creeping up behind you. Gunshots echo realistically based on the game environment. Ambient noises like birds chirping remain crisp as life.
According to the sound engineers at Astro:
"We tuned the A40 TR to give competitive gamers audio ‘vision‘ beyond their field of view for a distinct tactical advantage."
Just keep in mind open-back leakage goes both ways. The A40 TR does allow some sound spillage out…and external noises in. Thankfully memory foam ear cushions provide decent passive isolation.
Verdict: Natural open-back soundstage provides audio "wall hacks" for competitive gaming based on subtle sound cues. But less isolation than closed-back designs.
Dialed-In Drivers & Frequency Curve Optimized for Gaming
Here‘s a chart comparing the Astro A40 TR‘s frequency response curve to similar premium headsets from brands like SteelSeries and Turtle Beach:
Astro A40 TR frequency response chart stacked up against competitors. Image credit: Rtings.com
Notice how Astro specifically tunes the 40mm angled drivers and sound output to emphasize critical mid-range frequencies while still providing thundering low-end bass.
This tuning provides huge competitive multiplayer advantages like:
- Pinpointing enemy locations based on subtle noises
- Hearing critical voice callouts cutting through explosions
- Feeling the room-shaking impact of roararing engines or weapon blasts
And the extended 20Hz – 20kKz frequency response captures the wide dynamic range needed for everything from rumbling bass drums to crystalline cymbal crashes.
No muffled or tinny sounds plaguing cheaper headsets here! The A40 TR renders audio beautifully no matter your gaming or music genre thanks to custom pro gamer tuning.
Verdict: Pro-tuned 40mm angled drivers and sound curve optimized specifically for competitive gaming audio cues rather than music playback.
Microphone Worthy of Broadcast Professionals
Having microphone issues constantly plaguing your squad? The removable high-sensitivity mic on the A40 TR transmits your voice so clearly teammates may think you‘re broadcasting from a professional studio.
Its narrow unidirectional pickup pattern focuses solely on your speech, eliminating background noises like game audio or clicking controllers. Astro also developed the mic with wide dynamic range and frequency response for capturing the entire tonal richness of the human voice – not just muffled low tones.
You seriously sound like a radio DJ chatting with this mic monitoring your voice over the immersive game audio. I‘m not exaggerating when I say broadcasters could use this microphone without listeners noticing a difference from their high-dollar industry mics.
Verdict: Remarkable microphone clarity and background noise cancellation worthy of professional voice actors and radio personalities. Your squad will thank you!
Adaptable Premium Comfort
What good is having amazing game audio if painful ear hotspots and headaches short-circuit your gaming marathons?
Thankfully Astro obsessed just as much over long-wearing comfort as sound quality with features like swappable headbands and plush memory foam ear pads.
The end result? Weightless comfort allowing multi-hour gaming sessions without fatigued ears or comfort breaks.
Here‘s an overview of why the Astro A40 TR stands miles ahead of competitors in wearability:
Choose Your Headband Style
Ever gotten itchy red welts after wearing a heavy headset for hours thanks to a cheap vinyl headstrap? Those days end now thanks to the ultra-soft fabric and synthetic leather headbands shipping with the A40 TR.
I preferred the quick-drying breathability of the cloth band for marathon sessions. But fleece lovers may enjoy the leatherette option‘s increased sound isolation and on-ear pressure adjustment clicking between notches.
Either way – no more post-gaming discomfort from head vice designs causing scalp pain during your 20-hour Raid weekends! Both strap styles distribute weight evenly with just enough grip to stay planted bouncing around without pinching.
Ear Hugging Memory Foam Pads
Slip on the A40 TR ear pads engulfing your ears in breathable memory foam and my first thought was…are you sure there are speakers inside?
The cushions feel like zero gravity pillows grafted right onto the headphones with just enough clamping pressure to create a sound seal without pinching cartilage.
Astro generously added cooling airflow vents in the protein leather cover material too. So no heat rash building up in long battles.
I forgot I was wearing the A40 TR after only a few minutes thanks to clever ergonomic design elements like:
- Contoured shape avoiding painful driver pressure points around ears
- Just the right balance of grip and give to stay put despite aggressive head bobbing
- Quick-dry cooling leathergood earpad cover material
Competitive multiplayer often requires spatial sound accuracy pinpointing opponent locations based on around footsteps or bullet whizzes. So precise headphone placement matters.
The A40 TR ear pad design allows comfortably keeping cans stationed in ideal positions for hours on end thanks to no-fuss comfort.
Verdict: Clever headband & ear cup materials plus ergonomic shape allow marathon gaming sessions without painful hotspots or fatigue.
Customization Options: Adapt the Look & Feel
Out the box, Astro equips the A40 TR with plush ear pads and cloth headband matching thebold blue & black color scheme:
But the set‘s modular design means you can customize the visual flair and comfort by swapping components like:
- Headband padding
- Ear pads (leather vs cloth materials)
- Detachable mic types
- Interchangable metal speaker tags with custom platings
Replacing parts takes just seconds thanks to clever magnetic attachment solutions.
So feel free to deck out your A40 TR with earpads matching team colors, new metallic speaker tags personalized with gamertags, buttery leather headstraps if you value noise isolation – or just rock the fierce default look!
Crystal Clear Chat & Natural Imaging: Key Takeaways
Before diving into pricing and availability, here are the key takeaways cementing the Astro A40 TR as a top-tier choice if premium gaming audio drives your equipment budget:
Big Picture
- World-class sound tuned for competitive gaming advantages
- Sensitive background noise-canceling microphone
- Ultra-comfortable modular design adapts to your needs
Sound Quality
- Open-back creates expansive, detailed imaging
- Pro EQ tuning amplifies subtle audio cues
- Powerful bass you feel paired with crystal clear mids/highs
Features
- Memory foam earpads provide cloud-like comfort
- Cooling cloth or leather headband options
- Easily swappable parts to customize style
- Compatible across PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile
Now let‘s jump into the best pricing and bundle options currently available across top retailers.
Where To Buy the Astro A40 TR
Released in 2019 at a premium $149.99 MSRP, the Astro A40 TR now sees discounts bringing it into reach of more buyers – especially bundled with the MixAmp Pro amp-dac for enhancing directional sound cues on PC/PlayStation setups.
My #1 Recommended Retailer
Amazon: $144.34 bundled with Astro MixAmp Pro
I recommend pairing with Astro‘s MixAmp Pro (an amp/DAC combo unit) for unlocking key surround sound capabilities through Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic. This allows accurately pinpointing enemy locations based on subtle sounds like footsteps or bullets wizzing past.
The amp/controller also gives granular control over balancing game and chat audio – crucial for multiplayer communication. Budget-focused buyers or those sticking with console platforms can safely skip the MixAmp. But PC players and audio perfectionists benefit enough to justify costs.
Let‘s explore a few alternate retailers and pricing options with and without the recommended MixAmp Pro add-on:
| Retailer | Headset Only | With MixAmp Pro Amp/DAC |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $114.99 | $144.34 |
| Walmart | $169.99 | $169.99 |
| Newegg | $132.87 | $195.80 |
| Astro Gaming | $149.99 | Varies |
I hope all the gaming audio details prove helpful choosing your next headset! Let me know if any other questions come up down below.
FAQs: Additional Astro A40 TR Details
Here I‘ll tackle some frequently asked questions that may help inform your buying decision:
Q: Is the Astro A40 TR wireless?
A: The standard Astro A40 TR uses a wired connection. However Astro does offer a separate wireless model called the A50 if you want to cut the cord.
Q: What gaming platforms/devices can you use the A40 TR with?
A: The headset works instantly out of the box with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, VR headsets and mobile devices. Windows and Mac users can customize the audio experience using the ASTRO Command Center software.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: As a wired headset, the A40 TR does not contain a battery and instead draws power directly from your connected gaming device. So no need to ever worry about charging!
I hope all the gaming audio details prove helpful choosing your next headset! Let‘s keep chatting gear down below.
