You may need an adapter
Sony and Microsoft have already laid out how current-generation controllers will work on their next-gen consoles, but if you’ve spent money on a headset you really like, you might be wondering if you can still use those when you pick up a PS5 or Xbox Series X. The good news is, if you use Astro Gaming headsets, they’re most likely going to be compatible with the new consoles.
Xbox Series X
Let’s start with Xbox as its headsets are going to have the easiest time upgrading to be compatible and feature-complete with the Xbox Series X.
- A10 – This first-generation wired headset will support game sounds and voice chat through its 3.5mm port.
- A20 – If you are using the first generation of the A20 headset, you will need to update the firmware via the Astro Command Center program.
- A40 & A40 TR – All four generations of the A40 headsets will support sounds and voice chat via the 3.5mm port.
- A50 w/ Base Station – The 3rd and 4th generation A50 headsets will require a firmware update. A50 headsets created during the Xbox 360 era will not be updated to work with the Xbox Series X.
If you use a MixAmp with your headsets, the M60 and M80 will work via the 3.5mm port. If you have a MixAmp Pro TR, know that only the 3rd and 4th generation units will receive an update to work with the Series X. The A50 and MixAmp Pro can also be updated for Dolby Atmos for no extra cost. Any firmware updates made to your Astro equipment will not impact their use with current generation systems.
PlayStation 5
Compatibility is a bit trickier with the PlayStation 5 hardware, depending on the equipment you’re using and what it is you’re looking to get out of your headphones. All headsets will be compatible with the PS5, however, you may need extra equipment to achieve feature-complete status
- A10 – This first-generation wired headset will support game sounds and voice chat through its 3.5mm port.
- A20 – First-generation A20 headsets will support game sounds and voice chat, however, in order to mix the audio, you will need an HDMI Adapter or optical splitter.
- A40 & A40 TR – All four generations of the A40 headsets will support sounds and voice chat via the 3.5mm port.
- A50 w/ Base Station – The 3rd and 4th generation A50 headsets support game sounds and voice chat but will require an HDMI adapter or optical splitter to enable audio mixing.
If you use the MixPro Amp TR, you will also need an HDMI Adapter or optical splitter for mixing. Additionally, the MixAmp Pro TR and the A50 headset will be able to utilize Dolby Audio through the Astro hardware. A10 and A40 controllers have access to Sony’s 3D Audio via the PS5 controller.
During a Zoom call with members of the press, a representative from Astro Gaming stressed that while you can use an optical splitter for your A20 and A50 headsets on PlayStation 5, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to achieve Dolby 5.1 audio. To make those headsets feature-complete with PS5, the company has developed its own HDMI splitter. The passthrough device will not create any lag or affect 4K video. If you have registered your Astro Gaming headsets with the manufacturer, you will be entitled to a $15 discount on the HDMI splitter if ordered through the company’s website. More information about the discount will be given closer to launch.
