Astro Gaming A40 Headset vs. Sennheiser PC350 vs. ???

PianoMan

Senior member
Jan 28, 2006
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I know there's another thread on the forum regarding gaming headsets, but wanted to narrow it down to the upper end of the market (and no, I'm not talking about potentially gaming with a Stax set of cans :D).

Recently purchased Astro Gaming's A40 Audio System (headset and outboard DD decoder/amp) and am very pleased. I wanted a headset I could ferry between the XBOX 360 (when hooked up to the living room TV or bedroom) and the PC, via a convenient Toslink input. I recently sold my TB X-52's, which were great as well, but I didn't like the occassional balance issues between speakers, and especially with the 360, the game/voice balance. The A40 has a knob specifically for this, so it's easy to turn down the game volume on the fly to listen to chatter, and then dial it up later on.

Since my Senn HD650's don't have a microphone, I started to dislike screaming down at a PC desktop mic, or wrapping the 360 headset around my neck just for the mic while on the console.

I've compared the A40 headset to my Senns, and while they're close, the A40's a little more unbalanced toward the top end (a bit more sibilance), but the transient response is outstanding. Bass is a little more on the lightweight side with the A40's as well, but the sound quality doesn't make too many concessions.

Now, I know this is an unfair comparison between a $200 set of gaming headphones and a $500 dedicated audio pair of cans, so I was wondering if anyone has used the PC350's and done similar comparisons (between it and the A40 or HD650, or other good headphones).

TIA.
 

MalVeauX

Senior member
Dec 19, 2008
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Heya,

As Cheesehead pointed out, you could just get a clip on microphone. The convenience of not spending a few hundred dollars. Though the inconvenience of yet another wire some where. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD580's and love them for gaming. As for the mic, I just have one with a bendable neck coming up near my keyboard. Suits me fine. But to each their own.

Very best,
 

PianoMan

Senior member
Jan 28, 2006
505
10
81
Thanks for the quick replies!

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Zalman sells a sort of clip-on microphone that you could put on the HD650's cable.

Yup - I've got that from Newegg awhile ago for $10 or so. Didn't work too well, and I can't use it for the 360.

Also had a desktop mic (Logitech). Worked better, but late at night gaming sessions had me bending closer to keep from yelling.

The fixed microphone of gaming headsets I find indispensable.

Has anyone compared the A40 headset to something comparable? They're good headsets, just wondering if worth the price. But again, hard to determine, my only references are the HD650 (too good) and the TB X-52's (not close).
 

Jakeisbest

Senior member
Feb 1, 2008
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I have the Senn PC350 headset. The only point of reference I have is the Senn HD280 headphones. I will say the bass is not as good on the PC350s, but, that seems to be the price you pay for having the integrated mic. Overall sound quality on the PC350 is very very good. I really like that i can use it for both music and gaming with out a break in quality.

There is a web site that shows how to mod the mic from a cheap-o best buy headset, onto a pear of high end headphones and make it look good. I am sure a good google search would find the page.
 

PianoMan

Senior member
Jan 28, 2006
505
10
81
Thx for the feedback, Jake. I'm sure the Senn's are outstanding, but have been wondering why there are compromises to be made by merely adding a mic to a headset.

For the meantime, looks like I'll be holding on to these A40's.
 

vbuggy

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2005
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Well - the Zalman Mic is not that great, but it is serviceable. I used to use it with the Orpheus and the 007 and I still do with the HD650. It's cheap enough to try and discard if it doesn't work for you. My other standby is a Blue Mouse on a shock stand, with a desktop telescopic stand. I do actually have a legitimate use for it (voiceovers) but it has been known to pull double duty as a (slightly distracting) headset mic.

Some others have had good luck with higher-end webcams with built-in, noise cancelling mics. I'm going to try that too.