S&S; Tech Review: Astro A50 Wireless Headset

If you're looking to enhance your gaming experiences and if you're looking for a great pair wireless headsets, the A50's from Astro Gaming jumps to the top of my recommended list.  If you have the cash to drop, these new headsets maybe the best bang for your buck.  
Features and Design:
When I first put the headsets on, I quickly noticed how big and bulky these sets are, while still managing to be comfortable.  They might look heavy at glance, but they feel very lightweight when they're resting on your ears.  The underside of the headsets are covered with a soft foam material, and they help make you forget that you're wearing them at all.  The .81 pound headsets may be the reason some people would be turned off, when you compare these to other headsets, they may seem a bit heavy.  Depending on your ear size, the sets might fit a little loose, they aren't as snug around the ears as a few other headsets I've tried out.  The design of the sets are very stylish, while not being to flashy.  The stealthy matte black finish looks really cool, without being to gaudy.  The mic is really bendy and easily adjustable, and similar to the Sony Pulse Wireless Headset, when you place the mic upright, you are automatically muted.  Its a pretty cool feature that newer headsets are starting to use.  Unlike the Tritton Warheads I reviewed a while back, these headsets are compatible with the PS3, as well as the 360.  They also work on the PC as well, making these sets the ultimate wireless choice for the competitive gamer who owns multiple systems. The Astro MixAmps allows you to adjust your game to voice balancing, with 3 EQ modes to tinker with.  
Performance and Quality:
The best way to describe the A50's quality is, you get exactly what you pay for.  These really give you the best audio experience possible, it feels like you're front row at a high end movie theater.  If you get chance to experience the headsets superior sound quality, you'll quickly understand the high price tag.  You're given a simulated 7.1 sound, that really brings certain games to life, like Battlefield and Call of Duty.  The newly released Black Ops 2 benefited greatly, seeing how that game's audio design is second to none, it just felt right pairing up the A50's with it.  Hearing enemy footsteps and listening to where gun shots originated from are just a few things you can expect to hear.  The three equalizer modes gives you different audio settings to get comfortable with.  The Media setting is used for you bass lovers, boosting the bass to gut-wrenching levels.  Core is just your standard setting, while Pro heightens the effects of guns shots and enemy movement.  Whether you're watching a movie or playing a shooter, the EQ settings will fit perfectly with your scenario.  These headsets are supposed to last 12 hours, but I found that a bit farfetched in the end.  On a good day, they would last about 9 hours on average.  So be prepared to have that 3 inch charging cable nearby.  Still, the Dolby Digital 7.1 sound is top notch, and previous headsets are inferior in that fact.  
Pros:

• Best quality around
• Quick and easy setup
• Compatible with all three major systems(PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Cons:

• High price tag
• Disappointing battery life

S&S Rating: 9/10 @whatsPlay