22 Nov Astro A40 Headset Mod Kit Review: Customize Your Audio Experience
What’s up my dudes! Today we’re taking an in-depth look at the Astro A40 headset and mod kit. For all you gamers out there looking to step up your audio game, the A40 + mixamp combo has long been a go-to choice. But Astro recently released a mod kit that takes customization to a whole new level.
In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the Astro A40 headset and mod kit. We’ll look at the build quality, sound performance, and how the mod kit lets you truly pimp your headset. Let’s get into it!
Unboxing the Astro A40 Headset
Right off the bat, you can tell the A40 means business. The packaging has a premium feel, with its sleek black boxes and minimalist design.
Cracking open the box reveals the A40 headset itself enrobed in velvet. I’m not gonna lie – it feels straight up decadent. Astro clearly put thought into the unboxing experience.
In the box you get the A40 headset, detachable microphone, cables, and Quick Start Guide. Setup is super simple – you just connect the headset to the included Amp via the proprietary cable.
The amp then plugs into your PC, PlayStation or Xbox console via USB and optical input. This powers the headset and gives you fingertip control over your audio.
Astro A40 Headset Build Quality
The A40 headset oozes quality in its design and construction. Both the headband and ear cups feature a matte black plastic exterior with blue cloth undersides.
The headband is lined with plush leatherette and sports comfy padding underneath. This helps distribute the 290 gram weight and prevents that dreaded skull vice sensation during long gaming sessions.
The ear cups are huge – large enough to fit around most ears without pinching. The oval shaped cups tilt and swivel to adapt to your dome. The angular look and blue pops of color give the A40 an edgy, almost futuristic vibe.
The extendable unidirectional microphone easily clicks into place and rotates up out of the way when not in use. It captures audio clearly while rejecting noise from the rear.
All the cabling utilizes braided covers for tangle-resistance and durability. The connections are tight and secure. Overall, the A40 headset oozes a premium feel lacking in cheaper headsets. The attention to detail here is top notch.
Astro A40 Sound Performance
Alright, so the A40 looks and feels premium. But how does it actually sound??
In a word – fantastic. The A40 delivers a smooth, neutral audio reproduction that highlights detail without overhyping frequencies. Explosions rumble with authority and gunfire cracks with realistic punch.
The 40mm drivers maintain clarity across mids, highs and lows. You can crank the volume without distortion or brassiness creeping in. Whether your gaming or jamming to tunes, audio remains clean and balanced.
Imaging is another strength. The A40 provides pinpoint directional accuracy, allowing you to pinpoint enemy locations based on subtle audio cues. The expanded soundstage gives an open, spacious feel – not congested or too far inside your head.
For competitive gaming, the A40 gives you an undeniable edge. You simply hear more of what’s happening around you. The excellent imaging keeps your head on a swivel and awareness at a maximum.
Bass isn’t overpowering but still conveys impact and gravitas. Mids and highs shine through with detail and clarity. Acoustic instruments sound lively and electric guitars bite hard.
If I had to nitpick, the treble tones down a hair on the exuberant side. But boosting upper frequencies is easy enough via the amp’s onboard EQ.
For multimedia consumption, the A40 really shines. Movies and music sound expansive and immersive. You really feel part of the action thanks to the broad soundstage. Whether cranking EDM or watching action flicks, the A40 enhances the experience.
Astro A40 with Mod Kit Review
Now this is where things get interesting. The A40 headset itself offers amazing quality and versatility right out of the box. But the mod kit takes customization to a whole new level.
The mod kit includes swappable headbands, speaker tags and microphone colors. This lets you overhaul the look and style to match your tastes or gaming rig.
The headband options completely change the vibe of the headset. You can go stealthy with an all-black leather headband. Or classy with white and grey leatherettes. There’s even a blue cloth band for a sporty pop of color.
The speaker tags attach magnetically over the ear cups. You get choices like metal plates, synthetic leather, or colored textile tags. Again, this helps change the entire aesthetic.
Finally, you can swap out the mic colors for different hues like pink, green, white, grey and more. It’s a simple but effective way to customize.
Installing each mod takes just seconds – no tools required. Everything snaps or sticks into place magnetically. You can mix and match mods to create your ideal combo. Or easily change them up down the road if you get bored.
Not only does the mod kit allow for killer custom looks – it massively extends the life of the headset. As the A40 ages, just swap on some fresh new mods for a facelift. Your headset will look and feel brand new in an instant.
The mod kit adds so much versatility. Especially considering how robust the A40 is built, you can enjoy this headset for many years to come. Just refresh those mods as needed to keep things looking stylish and fresh.
Astro A40 Mod Kit Verdict
Alright squad, let’s bring this Astro A40 and mod kit review home. Here are my final pro/con bullet points:
Pros
- Excellent build quality with premium materials
- Balanced, detailed sound across all frequencies
- Great for competitive and multimedia usage
- Mixamp provides EQ customization
- Mod kit enables endless customization
- Extends lifespan through easy aesthetic upgrades
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Design may be a bit plain out of the box
- Treble is slightly subdued
If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming audio, the Astro A40 + mod kit is an elite choice. The headset itself delivers pro-level sound with ergonomic comfort ideal for marathon sessions.
But it’s the mod kit that really elevates the package. Being able to customize both form and function is a huge benefit. And extending the lifespan through aesthetic updates is genius.
If you’re serious about quality and customization, the Astro A40 and mod kit belongs in your gaming arsenal. Okay ballers, that’s a wrap on this review. Let me know if you have any other questions!
FAQs
- What platforms is the Astro A40 compatible with?
The Astro A40 works with PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. The included MixAmp gives you platform-specific EQ presets.
- What does the mod kit include?
The mod kit includes swappable headbands, speaker tags, and mic colors to customize the aesthetic of the A40 headset. You can mix and match components for your own unique look.
- Do the mods affect the sound quality?
No, the mod kit is purely cosmetic and does not affect the driver performance or sound reproduction in any way.
- Can you still use the A40 without the MixAmp?
Yes, the A40 will function as a standalone analog headset on any 3.5mm audio source like a controller or mobile device. However, you lose features like surround sound, EQ and mic input without the MixAmp.
- How does the A40 compare to other headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro?
The A40 stands up well against competitors like the Arctis Pro in sound and mic quality. The A40 has a slight edge in balanced sound, while the Arctis Pro offers more styling options out of the box. The mod kit helps the A40 compete in customization.
Conclusion
The Astro A40 headset and mod kit provides an elite-level audio experience for gamers and multimedia users alike. Between the pro-grade construction, surround sound and customization options, the A40 package is hard to beat. Elevate your gaming experience to new heights by opting for the A20 headset – a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality. If you’re ready to make a statement and take your gaming audio to the next level, the iconic Astro A40 with mod kit is also a noteworthy choice, though be prepared to invest a bit more for the premium setup. In return, you’ll secure top-notch game audio and have the opportunity to customize a headset that is uniquely your own.