In this comparison review, we will be taking a look at two popular models, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 vs Astro A50. Both SteetSeries and Astro are known for producing sublime models in the gaming market.
It is not surprising that you can see their units in the hands of professional gamers. Which of the two is better? Let us read on to find out.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 comes with a sleek and impressive design. Besides, the battery working life is powerful. The microphone is exceptionally designed well for capturing your voice. Gamers can use them in noisy environments without hassle.
Additionally, you can wear them for several hours without feeling uncomfortable. You can use them passively when the battery is out of charge. But they can come with a tight fit; their inconsistency in bass & treble can be terrible sometimes.
On the other hand, the Astro A50 is an exceptional headset that is also popular for being the best wireless gaming market today. The design is top-notch and appears elegant. Besides, the material used in the build is good, and so are the earcups.
You can make use of the EQ’ed sound profile to your preference that is well-balanced. Gamers can do that with the help of the app. We also found the boom microphone offering you with a stunning performance.
We felt that battery performance could be a bit turn-off as it takes very long to charge. At times, the auto-off timer turns off when you do not move your head correctly. The headset is ideal for gamers wanting to search for a robust and durable product.
Let us delve into each of their main features and learn about them briefly. In the end, we have decided on the winner between the two sensational models.
 |  |
|---|---|
| STEELSERIES ARCTIS 7 | ASTRO A50 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| It is a robust unit with a durable design. This is a premium model. It has low latency for entertainment. The unit has great companion software. The microphone is retractable and powerful. | The design is quite sturdy and compact. It has a powerful audio ability. Due to the EQ and presets, its sound quality is flawless. It has a good microphone that can filter noise. The unit is compatible with many devices. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The headset can be tight for few users. | Its software is not as good as the hardware. |
| SPECIFICATIONS | STEELSERIES ARCTIS 7 | ASTRO A50 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Arctis 7 Wireless DTS Headphone Gaming Headset | ASTRO A50 + Base Station RF Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones |
| Brand | SteelSeries | Astro Gaming |
| Sound Mode | Stereo | Stereo |
| Connection Type | Wireless | Wireless |
| Wireless Connectivity | Radio Frequency (RF) | Radio Frequency (RF) |
| True Wireless | No | No |
| Built-In Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Fit | Over-the-Ear | Over-the-Ear |
| Adjustable Headband | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours | 15 hours |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
DESIGN & COMFORT
If you look at the design of the SteelSeries Arctis 7, they have a sober look. You cannot term them as a head-turner like other models. The appearance is casual, which is a good thing. However, the ski-band headband can turn heads, and the boom microphone is retractable.
As we say often, you can change the headband straps if you want a vibrant look. They are very comfortable units. Their padding is soft and breathable, besides the headband can be adjusted accordingly.
But we felt that the length might not be adequate for gamers with large heads. It may feel tight for few gamers. We were delighted to use the control buttons on the headset. They were pretty accessible and pleasant to use.
You can find two sets of buttons on both earcups. You also have a channel mixing wheel. Besides, there is an on/off button on the left earcup, and the right earcup comes with a volume wheel along with a disable microphone button.
We felt that the control does not have versatility as it does not come with music controls. Overall, the Arctis 7 is exceptionally breathable and offers you ample ventilation inside. At no point did we feel uncomfortable or sweaty.
However, like all over-the-ear design models, they can be cumbersome to wear during a hot climate and exercise. Likewise, the Astro A50 gaming headset looks and feels just like gaming headphones.
The color tone on the headset is quite flashy, and you can use them for outdoor purposes. Sadly, you cannot remove the microphone, and the unit looks premium and knightly. Besides, the material used in making it is sublime.
The Astro A50 was extremely comfortable, and we felt happy wearing them. They are very spacious, and the headband has comfortable padding on them. The earcups distribute the pressure evenly on both sides.
The A50 speaks to the gamers in a grown-up manner. The unit has a shrunken headset stand. You can find a LED display that is found on high-end headsets. You can find out the charge, mode, and surround sound on/off the figure.
Our tester did feel a little fatigued after some time, but they were not a major issue. But they were able to have them for long hours without any problem. All in all, the A50 is a sublime unit. Its comfort is on par with some of the top-end models in the market.
BUILD QUALITY
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 has a top-notch build quality, and it is very sturdy. During testing, the unit was able to handle several drops without getting damaged. We found that the metal headband is flexible, and the boom microphone is retractable.
It also provides you with ample stability, and the tight fit enables you to move around comfortably without much hassle. Since it is a wireless device, you do not have the risk of getting the unit yanked when you suddenly get up or turn around instantly.
The same can be said about the build quality of the A50, Astro’s flagship make. It comes infused with velour-effect covers on the earcups. They give you a breathable feeling. It is also quite comfortable on your ears and can fit effortlessly.
We liked the capability of the headset to rotate. You can place the earcups flat if you want and save space in your baggage. So, it is ideal for travel too. Additionally, the headband is flexible, and you can find an accurate position.
There is no denying the fact that this is a top-end model and comes with the features. The materials used to make it and the design is captivating. It comes with plastic and finishes on the unit.
On the whole, you would find it a pleasant headphone to use. The A50 comes with the ability to tick all the boxes any professional gamer would like. For the price range, it is entirely justified. We found it to be lavishly designed and robust in make.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
We will read the most exciting piece of the puzzle—their audio performance. The gaming headsets available in the market today are top-notch and offer you sublime sound quality. Manufacturers are particular about their headphones satisfying the low-end to absurd levels.
It helps in ensuring that gamers have an immersive experience when playing games. They could be shooting, racing, or just about your ordinary game. The sounds of people walking around, air moving past you, and explosions sound realistic.
A similar kind of sound quality can be obtained from SteelSeries Arctis 7. We were literally stunned by the excellent quality of the headset. It was able to offer a flat response giving you with much clarity and no distortion at all.
It can get loud at times, but they are tolerable. We found a slight wrinkle in the sound. Gamers have to use the software for infusing the virtual 7.1 surround sound. You must register your unit for having it embedded on the software.
The Astro A50, on the other hand, comes with top-notch sound quality. Their mid-range accuracy was spot on. It is pretty powerful and will be detailed. At the same time, you can also find the exaggerated lows are meant for an immersive experience.
You can manage to hear the bass from the 40mm driver. In most of the models, you can find them 50mm diameter drivers for authoritative low-end. The gaming sound was superb, and we can vouch for the music too.
The music quality was flat as possible without the EQ profile. However, when you make use of the software, it gets things done sublimely. You can find other models in the market that are pretty splendid, but the A50 was tremendous on most levels.
MICROPHONE PERFORMANCE
The microphone performance of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 is good. The recording capability and the voice were captured splendidly. But it sounds quite bright and lags the kind of airiness you would expect from a quality headset.
Our tester found that it does not crackle when you reposition. At times, however, our voices sounded slightly on the lower side. Hence, you may want to position the microphone properly next to your mouth and then speak.
This way, it becomes audible, and your voice sounds crisp. You could be a streamer who requires a more audible microphone solution. When you are particular about sound and ergonomics, then this model can satisfy you.
On the other hand, the Arctis 7 microphone provides you with phenomenal noise quality. We were astounded to find that the speech and the ambient noise were accurately separated. You can use it seamlessly in loud environments without any disturbance in your voice.
Coming to the recording ability, it was fabulous, and we had a pleasant experience. Your recorded voice sounds pretty understandable but not opulent as it should. Though the person on the other end can understand what you are saying, your voice can sound distorted at times.
COMPATIBILITY
SteelSeries gaming headsets are known for their phenomenal compatibility. It comes with the companion software offering you ample customization. We were happily using it because everything went on a single page, including graphic EQ with presets, DTS surround sound, and the volume control.
It comes with exceptional non-Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It makes use of the proprietary audio cable. Since it is not OS-specific, you can connect it with any console of your liking. The A50 cannot be termed perfect as far as compatibility goes.
We did not test it with the PS4 (Gaming Headset for PS4), so we cannot say if it is compatible. Users have said that it has some computability issues with the PS5 (Gaming Headset for PS5) console too. You may want to use the adapter. A distinct feature of the A50 is the remarkable battery life of 15 hours.
All in all, the A50 does come with some compatibility issues. But that does not mean you want to give up on it. We found it sublime with the PC and laptop. Besides, it worked exceptionally well on the Xbox console without any problems.
PRICE
Both the SteelSeries Arctis and the Astro units are customarily priced on the higher side of things. No surprises in seeing both are expensive. Buyers may not have the option of differentiation between the two in the price factor.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is priced under $300 and can be slightly expensive. The Astro A50 is priced under $300. You may get the $30 to $50 cheaper in the sales or discount period. But that is about it.
If you are not particular about the price or can afford it, then you must go for them. So, when you are keen on owning a top-end model that can bring to you sublime features, then these two units have it all.
VERDICT
The SteelSeries Arctis gaming headset offers you an immersive experience. We were pretty impressed with its compatibility too. The A50 is good and lets you tune the input and the output, like adjusting the microphone level and designing your own EQ modes.
You can use the Arctis 7 for mixed usage. The boom microphone can be retracted, but they are not ideal for offices or travel. Besides, they are not portable, and the audio reproduction can vary across users.
They produce balanced sound quality, good battery life, low latency, and compatibility with gaming consoles. The A50, on the other hand, is suitable for listening to music due to its exceptional audio reproduction.
You may find it challenging to use it for travel. Choosing a winner between two outstanding models can be a tough ask. Our decision would go with the Arctis 7 gaming headset. When you want exceptional sound quality, the Arctis 7 is the best option.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.