Logitech and Astro Gaming (now a subsidiary of Logitech) are two companies that are designing gaming headphones for esports pros, with an emphasis on audio and microphone quality. The G Pro X are very user-friendly and have high-quality audio, as well as a most impressive adaptable microphone. However, they have serious limitations when used with a console. On the other hand, the A10 also have a decent microphone and great sound, and are far better for console use. Despite their lackluster build quality, the A10 have long-lasting comfort and impressive functionality. So which pair of headphones are better overall?
Technical Specifications
Packaging and Accessories
The adage “first impressions last” is true since the packaging of both headphones have left a lasting effect on me – one far better than the other. It may come as no surprise which I prefer, as the G Pro X have a much more visually attractive box.
Astro Gaming A10
In the box:
A10 gaming headset A10 volume cable 3.5mm female to dual 3.5mm TRS splitter cable
The Astro A10 give a pretty lackluster first impression. There really is nothing to get excited about. A simple plastic cover reveals everything there is to the unboxing experience. Crammed right under it are the headphones and included accessories. The packaging is sufficient for protection and they come out with ease, but it all shows an apparent lack of effort and care.
Logitech G Pro X
In the box:
Logitech G Pro X headset Cloth and leatherette ear pads USB external sound card Detachable mic 2m cable with inline volume and mute Mobile cable with mute button Y splitter for separate mic and headset ports Travel bag
The headphones and accessories are neatly but not strenuously secured within the G Pro X box, and show great amounts of consideration for the packaging. Unlike the A10, there is a travel bag and additional cloth ear pads included with the G Pro X. The accessories are more generous overall.
Packaging and Accessories Verdict
The Logitech G Pro X provide a much better unboxing experience than the A10, which only give the bare minimum. The G Pro X are much more worth the price for what else they include. I feel like I’m getting a bundle of included accessories that would need to be purchased separately for the A10. There’s obviously more effort and thought put into the G Pro X packaging and bundled accessories.
Design and Functionality
Astro Gaming A10
The A10 do not stand out in their design. I’m not a fan of the base grey or secondary orange. They are quite dull and only have a slightly polished appearance. The square ear cups also make the headphones look boxy and amateurish. The A10 only have a couple of functionality features. The microphone automatically mutes itself when flipped up and the cord has an in-line volume control wheel.
Logitech G Pro X
The blue G Pro X pictured are the Limited League of Legends edition and as a League fan myself, I think they are incredibly stylish. They give personality to the headphones and make me want to use them. The headband is joined to the ear cups by an aluminum joint rather than directly connected, like the A10. The ear cups are oval in shape and aren’t overly big. Aside from the G Pro X having a removable mic, both headphones offer the same basic functionality. A mute mic button and a dial to adjust the volume.
Design and Functionality Verdict
Both headphones have near equal functionality, so the deciding factor is the design. Here, the G Pro X wins by a long margin. The G Pro X have the advantage of being a limited League of Legends edition, however, the standard black model of the G Pro X still look more professional than the A10. I am eager to put the G Pro X on and I can’t say the same for the A10. That tells me all I need to know about why they are the winner.
Comfort
Astro Gaming A10
Although I’m not a fan of the A10 design, they really excel in terms of comfort. Despite looking chunky, the headband never causes aches, and the headphones give me long-lasting comfort and I barely notice I’m wearing them. With that, the cloth ear cups are soft and breathable on my ears.
Logitech G Pro X
I have a few issues with the G Pro X. There is a lot of pressure on the center of my head from the headband and they constantly need adjusting and don’t hold up well for long use. The good news is I don’t experience any problems with the ear cups. They are equipped with memory foam leatherette padding and are very plush. There is an opening in the back of the ear cups to allow airflow and they never get too humid.
Comfort Verdict
The main difference between the headphones is that the A10 are comfortable for long sessions and cause no aches, and I can’t say the same for the G Pro X. Both headphones have decent ear cups, but the G Pro X have better airflow. However, that isn’t enough for the G Pro X to surpass the A10 and the A10 are the superior headphones in terms of comfort.
Build Quality
Astro Gaming A10
I’m not confident in the A10 build quality. They are constructed mainly of plastic – which isn’t promising. The headband doesn’t adjust in a fluid fashion and neither does the removable cable, which I have to force in order to plugin. The A10 are the cheapest model in the series and that is reflected in their build quality. If Astro Gaming is working to make headphones for esports professionals they need to show more care in materials and construction.
Logitech G Pro X
There isn’t much plastic in the G Pro X construction aside from the shells of the ear cups. The joint that connects the ear cups to the headband is aluminum the internal headband is steel. The G Pro X are double the price of the A10, but fittingly, you’re getting double the build quality. The G Pro X are sturdy and durable and show careful selection of material choice.
Build Quality Verdict
I say it’s worth spending the extra coin for the G Pro X. The A10 are primarily plastic, and the G Pro X barely have any, apart from the ear cups. The A10 use low-quality materials and may be prone to early breakage. This simply isn’t the case with the G Pro X.
Mic Quality
Astro Gaming A10
While testing the A10 mic in a quiet environment on CS:GO, my friends say that my voice is clear and that I don’t sound muffled. I have no trouble making clearly understood call-outs, and for the most part, am satisfied with the mic performance. The mic doesn’t do a great job blocking out background noise. I sound muffled when I speak while watching a video or if my fan is on in the background. It’s not unusable, but it’s definitely bothersome. You can hear what I’m talking about in the mic recordings below.
Logitech G Pro X
In the same CS:GO session, I swapped to the G Pro X for my friend’s opinion on how the mic compares. In a quiet environment, the verdict was the same, my voice is audibly clear, it’s not muffled, and there’s no static noise. Through the software, I’m able to customize everything from the mic lows/mids/highs, and to improve the performance when in a noisy environment. There are professional preset options and a community hub to share presets for specific situations. I have included basic mic recordings below and one where I use a specific community G Hub preset to block out the background noise.
Mic Quality Verdict
The A10 mic gives clear and crisp transmission in a quiet environment, but has a poor time combating background noise. I can say the same for the G Pro X, but, the G Hub software effectively eliminates background noise.
Connectivity
Astro Gaming A10
Through the removable 3.5mm audio jack and splitter cable, the A10 are compatible with any device. The cables are a comfortable length of 2m and don’t curl up. There is no Bluetooth, and with that, no interface to counter the G Hub functionality. The only way to further expand the A10 connectivity and interface software requires purchasing an Astro MixAmp.
Logitech G Pro X
The G Pro X are compatible with all devices via the removable 3.5mm audio jack and sport a similar 2m long cable as the A10. However, the Logitech headset does have the added benefit of the G Hub USB dongle that has a 3.5mm female to male USB converter.
Connectivity Verdict
Both headphones are nearly identical in basic connectivity. They are both compatible on all devices and have the same length of cable. The added functionality of the USB G Hub dongle means the G Pro X takes the edge in connectivity.
Sound Quality
Comparing sound quality on PC
Astro Gaming A10
With the A10 on CS:GO I get an even sound and am able to distinguish the lows, mids, and highs clearly. The 7.1 surround sound pinpoints were footsteps and shots are coming from.
Logitech G Pro X
The G Pro X give me a similar impression to the A10. The lows and mids are distinct and never drown out the highs. The G Pro X do have better noise cancellation than the A10, resulting in a slightly more distinct 7.1 surround sound. However, when the G Hub comes into play, I have an extensive and handy list of options and presets to adjust the audio. The G Hub boosts the G Pro X performance signifigantly.
Comparing sound quality on Console
Astro Gaming A10
Using the A10 to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on my PS4, they give me an equal experience as on PC. I can clearly distinguish the direction of shots and the 7.1 surround sound matches the level of delivery on PC.
Logitech G Pro X
Here is the G Pro X’s downfall. They don’t have the G Hub on console, with that, they lose 7.1 surround sound functionality. This makes a very noticeable difference in their sound quality. Without its sidekick, the G Pro X doesn’t perform to the same degree on console. Bass takes over the mids and highs, and the headphones are weak in pointing out sound direction. It’s not necessarily bad, but compared to the A10, the G Pro X performance is merely average on console and lags far behind the PC experience.
Sound Quality Verdict
Whether you use the headset on PC or on console determines which one is superior. The G Pro X beats the A10 on PC with the G Hub software and better surround sound. However, on console, the G Pro X are missing both features. If you’re gaming on PC, go with the G Pro X. If you’re mainly on console, you’re better off saving your money and getting better audio performance from the A10.
Overall Winner
Winner of each section
Packaging and Accessories: Logitech G Pro X Design and Functionality: Logitech G Pro X Comfort: Astro Gaming A10 Build Quality: Logitech G Pro X Mic Quality: Logitech G Pro X Connectivity: Logitech G Pro X Sound Quality: Tie: Logitech G Pro X & Astro Gaming A10
Conclusion
The Logitech G Pro X are better for what they offer, especially if you are a PC gamer. They cost more, but they bring more to the table. The G Pro X have better microphone and sound quality with the G Hub, otherwise, it’s a fairly close battle between the two headsets. Although, you also get a better design, build quality, packaging, and accessories included with the G Pro X. That said, if I mainly played on console I would go with the A10 as they are low-cost, have above-average mic quality, great comfort, and good sound quality. For console gamers, the A10 are all you need. But if you want the best and most professional experience on PC, go with the G Pro X.
