Astro Gaming A50 wireless surround sound headset hands-on (video)

If you're serious about your sound when it comes to gaming, chances are you've at least heard of Astro Gaming. Back in 2008, the company introduced its pro gaming-focused headset solution, the A40 audio system, and since then it's been actively adding to its lineup with lifestyle headsets like the A30, and various improved refreshes of the A40 itself. In the lead-up to E3, the company announced the $300 A50 wireless audio system, marking its second major push away from the competitive gaming scene and into the living room. If you'll recall, the company first dabbled in specifically bringing its tournament headset chops to the living room last year with its first wireless solution, the MixAmp 5.8.

Although we were pleased with the 5.8's performance and versatility -- namely that it worked with any 3.5mm equipped headset across the Xbox, PS3 and PC like the wired MixAmp Pro -- we worried some users would be put-off with having to deal with a three piece setup of a wired headsets that plugs into a belt pack, which connects to a transmitter base. It appears that Astro took note as well, opting to get rid of the belt pack and basically pack its controls and radios inside of an A40, along with some other tweaks, including KleerNet lossless audio, to create the A50 -- something we'd been hoping to see for a very long while. We spent some time with Astro's Marketing Director, Aaron Drayer, to talk about the headset and try it for ourselves, and you'll find it all detailed just past the break.

Gallery: Astro Gaming A50 wireless surround sound headset (hands-on)

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Astro Gaming A50 wireless surround sound headset hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.