Everyone knows how important the audio can be in video games or at least, it is one of the most important features a game can have in my opinion. You can give me everything you want but, if the audio isn't there it just won't work. Now, I have a nice 7.1 audio receiver hooked up to my HDTV in the living room, I'm all set up for console gaming in absolute HD, but what about my computer?
To this I reply "Astro Gaming". Some may have heard of them, though most have never tried them. In an attempt at finding a good surround sound system for computers, I stumbled upon Astro Gaming, which sounded quite familiar since an old friend from past websites had purchased from there and was almost literally orgasming over his purchase. Here I present to you my most recent and worthwhile purchase: The Astro Gaming A40 Audio System.
Astro Gaming A40 Audio System
The A40 system is the ultimate in video gaming headphones and the headset is the official licensed headset of MLG, also known as Major League Gaming. Coupled with the Mixamp, the A40 can output some amazing 5.1 Dolby Surround sound, all while serving as a nice headset to hear and talk with friends online, all of this in a headset audo system. First off, I'll show some of the headset itself.
Different views of the A40 headset
As you can see, to be just fancy enough, it comes in a beautiful bag for protection which can be used for transportation since, after all, the A40 is mainly used in video gaming tournaments. The microphone isn't there permanently as it can be attached/removed anytime you want and can also be put on either sides depending on your preferences. A40 is meant to be over the ear, meaning that your ear typically falls right in the hole and therefore, there is absolutely no pressure on the ears or anything, as if nothing was there for them. They are ridiculously comfortable and outputs a crystal clear sound whether you are gaming, listening to music or simply speaking with friends over a live call on the internet.
Side view with the speaker tag removed, as well as a set of speaker tags
The speaker tags serves to either open or close the sound. When removed, it allows the sound outside such as your telephone or girlfriend calling you out of the shadows to be heard. With the speaker tags attached, it entirely shuts off every incoming sound and you are then left alone with your headset and video games. They are extremely easy to manage since they are held with 4 small yet powerful magnets, allowing for a quick removal without bruises, screws, twists and turns or everything you can think of. A pair of foams are included with the headset to insert between the tags and headset to close out the sound even more. While the ones I currently have are the basic sets, you can create your own, entirely personified speaker tags over at Astro Gaming's website, allowing you to be stylish and show off your personality everywhere you take them. It is in my plans, no worries there, though I have to come up with a design for such. As can be seen, a set comes with 3 speaker tags: 2 full solid tags and one containing a hole for the microphone. This is so you can use two completely filled tags to cover both sides if you do not use the microphone.
The Mixamp is the most important accessory for your new A40 headset
The Mixamp is the key to delivering astounding sound quality in Dolby Surround. It is also the only way to hook up your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 to the A40 headset. How is that possible? With these little things right here:
The different inputs offered on the Mixamp
Here we have a TOSlink (optical cable) entry, a regular left and right stereo channel, a coaxial entry, a PC mic and one MP3 entry. The USB entry serves to be used with the optional rechargeable battery pack, which I gladly bought. Personally, I am currently connected to my PC via Optical, giving me 5.1 abilities within PC games that support it. The way it works is quite simple: You plug in your desired source (for me it's Optical from PC to Mixamp), and on the other end, you plug in the A40 headset. As simple as it sounds, I now have access to 5.1 Dolby Surround sound on my computer, all while gaining the ability to use the microphone for online gaming or friends over a messenger.
Here comes something great too, let's take a closer look at the Mixamp:
Close-up of the Mixamp controls
At the top we quickly recongnize a volume controller, allowing you quick volume change at the tip of your fingers. Below this big wheel, we see a smaller controller written "Game" and "Voice", this is called "Balance". The purpose of this one is to even out how exactly you want your sound, which is mostly used for online gaming with voice chat functionalities. Yes, you can actually decide to hear more of the voices, or more of the game by the simple turn of a button. For my part, it's always maxed out on Game since I don't play online and when in Ubuntu, it strangely has to be on Voice, but that's not an issue for me. Otherwise you can see the master power button in the bottom left corner and the Dolby ON/OFF button in the bottom right corner.
Overall, the A40 Audio System has been my best purchase in a long time. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me or to visit the guys at Astro Gaming's website to see more features. Yes they are expensive, but they are entirely worth the price, trust me on this one. Also note that I didn't include every cables in the pictures as I had to unplug the system in order to take the pictures, so some of the cables were missing from the boxes in the pictures.
Thank you for reading, especially those who actually survived reading through this.
Astro Gaming Official Website
A40 Audio System Page
