When comparing Astro A50 PS4 vs Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ), the Slant community recommends Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) is ranked 41st while Astro A50 PS4 is ranked 42nd. The most important reason people chose Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) is:
The mids are the star of the MHP 839’s sound signature. They are forward and have good clarity, making vocals and guitars sound really prominent, and gives the overall sound a distinctly warm feel. The bass is very good. While not very forward, it is full, has good punch and comes off as quite natural. The top highs are rolled off, which may muddle some of the music’s details. However, this also results in a smooth sound, as there is little to no harshness.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
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 Rich and forward mids with good bass
The mids are the star of the MHP 839’s sound signature. They are forward and have good clarity, making vocals and guitars sound really prominent, and gives the overall sound a distinctly warm feel.
The bass is very good. While not very forward, it is full, has good punch and comes off as quite natural.
The top highs are rolled off, which may muddle some of the music’s details. However, this also results in a smooth sound, as there is little to no harshness.
Pro Ear cup position can be adjusted in a variety of ways
You can wear these the conventional way, or you can also choose to use these DJ style, where only one ear cup is held to the ear.
Pro Two headphone cables are included
One cable is thinner and shorter which is great for mobile use. The other is longer and thicker which should work better when using the headphones indoors.
Pro Removable cable
The cable is connected to the left ear cup via a 3.5mm cable, which can easily be removed. Storing the headphones or replacing a broken cable should be very easy to do.
Pro Nice sounding headphones that are great for casual, studio or mobile use
The MHP 839 is very versatile. The sound signature is enjoyable, and can work well with a variety of genres. It also offers good passive noise isolation for studio/DJ use. The collapsible design with removable cables make it easy to bring on the go. This combination of features is rarely seen in the price range.
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 Pads can get warm pretty quickly
The ear pads do provide ample cushioning, but they also trap heat, causing your ears to get warm really quick. You may need to take these off periodically so you can cool off.
Con Strong clamping force can cause discomfort
The strong clamp may feel like it's squeezing your head which can get uncomfortable after a while.
Con Feels cheap and flimsy
These headphones can creak and flex a lot. Some may also find that these are too light for their size.