When comparing Astro A50 PS4 vs Bose QuietControl 30, the Slant community recommends Bose QuietControl 30 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Bose QuietControl 30 is ranked 34th while Astro A50 PS4 is ranked 42nd. The most important reason people chose Bose QuietControl 30 is:
You can get around 8 to 10 hours of use from a full charge.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Solid construction
The A50 is mostly made of quality plastic with a soft touch finish. It can flex well without feeling like it will break. The plastic on the headband and ear cups are complemented by metal rods that add more rigidity to the headset while also giving it a metal accent for a more premium look.
Pro Balanced sound with a slight emphasis on the bass
The sound signature leans more on the neutral side with highs that have good clarity and mids that are full but not forward or recessed. Audio details can easily be heard, and in-game or movie dialogue does not get lost in the mix. The bass is slightly boosted so explosions and gunshots definitely have a lot of kick. The low frequencies do not get out of hand though, so the sound is not muddy in any way.
Pro Enhances soundstage with a surround sound feature
With this feature on, you’ll be able to better tell what direction explosions are happening, or where gunshot sounds are coming from. This can give you an extra edge when gaming competitively as well as make your games more immersive.
Pro Very soft ear pads and headband
The ear pads and headband have very thick foam for cushioning which helps to minimize pressure on the head
Pro Good battery life
From a full charge, these headphones can get up to 15 hours of playback time.
Pro Base station has a lot of functionality
The base station primarily functions as the A50’s stand and charger. The headset magnetically locks into place when on the base, ensuring it charges properly and does not fall off. The base also handles connectivity with audio sources and is the transmitter that communicates with the headset.
Pro Mic is easy to position
The microphone has good clarity. It is attached to the left ear cup and can be pushed upwards when not in use. It is also bendable so you can position it closer to your mouth if needed.
Pro Works with a PC
This headset can save you money if you are looking to improve audio not just on your PS4, but also on your computer. The A50 is compatible with a PC/Mac so you do not need to buy a separate headset.
Pro Good battery life
You can get around 8 to 10 hours of use from a full charge.
Pro Earphones stay in place well
The earpieces won’t easily fall from your ears when using these on the go. You get Bose’s StayHear+ wing tips which securely fit inside the ears. Also, since the noise cancelling electronics are in the collar instead of an inline module, there is not a lot of weight that pulls down on the earpieces.
Pro Very good noise cancelling
While the noise cancelling does not eliminate all of the ambient noise, it does a good job of preventing most of it from mixing in with your music. With the audio turned up to a good volume, you aren’t likely to hear your surroundings except for the loudest of sounds.
Pro Adjustable noise cancelling
You can dial in the level of noise-cancelling that you want using the Bose Connect app which is available for Android and iOS. This gives you more flexibility with active noise cancelling compared to other earphones.
Pro Full sound with good detail
The bass of the Quiet Control 30 sounds full, with good punch and power. It doesn’t add any bloat though, preventing the sound from getting too muddy. The mids are quite forward with a slight boost. Vocals and guitars can easily be appreciated, though heavy guitars may sound quite aggressive due to the slight elevation. The highs are clear and offer a good level of detail yet do not get harsh in any way. These earphones are good for general music listening, and should excel in vocal-heavy tracks.
Cons
Con Mic is too sensitive
The A50's mic easily picks up ambient noise and voice pops. This can be annoying for your teammates when using voice chat while playing.
Con Clamping force can be too strong
The headset clamps tightly on the head. While the thick cushioning in the ear pads and headband can minimize the pressure, you might find this uncomfortable if you are sensitive to clamp force.
Con Can feel heavy on the head/neck
The A50 is one of the heaviest wireless headsets at around 380 grams The weight can make your head or neck feel tired quickly.
Con There is no way to secure the earpieces when not in use
The earpieces will dangle off of the collar and flop around when they are out of your ears. There are no magnets in the ear pieces to keep them together, and there are no fasteners or docks in the collar to secure the earpieces. Other collar style earphones have this feature.
Con Bluetooth only
You won’t be able to continue using the QuietControl30 when the battery runs out. You only get Bluetooth connectivity, with no wired option, so you’ll have to charge these earphones in order to use them again.