Question 1

Can you setup this headset with a gaming laptop that (has only a headphone, microphone, and usb ports)does not have an optical cable? Will you still be able to have surround sound along with mic functionality?

Accepted Answer

You can use these headphones in a multitude of ways.  First, there is obviously the optical input.  This is the only way to get full surround sound from the headphones.

You can also use a 3.5 to 3.5 (headphone) cable to connect a stereo source (like a laptop or MP3 player), but that will only be stereo.

Finally, you can also get the unit to play audio with just the USB connected (tested on both my laptop and desktop, Windows 7 on both).  However, this produced the worst sound quality (even worse than the 3.5 to 3.5 cable).

In short, you can use them without optical, but there is really no reason to get a surround sound headset if you are only going to use it with a stereo source.  Save some money and get a headset that doesn't have the surround sound, or spend some extra money to get a USB sound card or something for your laptop (I have not done any research on USB sound cards, so I can not make any recommendations).

I hope this helps!

Question 2

can it be used for ps4?

Accepted Answer

i can't say for sure if it will being that I don't have a PS4. However, this headset connects with a USB and optical port so as long as your system has that I would think it would. But I would get a definite answer before you buy. Hope I helped some

Question 3

how does the mic communicate with the computer?

Accepted Answer

The little base that's pictured on the stand is a receiver/transmitter for audio in/out. I haven't actually used it on my computer, but I do know that you'll need an optical port to connect it in addition to a free USB port to power it. The majority of the functionality is built into the headset though.

Question 4

are the Astro A50 compatible with the optical output on my Sony XBR4 TV or my Blue Ray player?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The A50 uses a TOSLINK cable (standard optical cable) for it's optical input.

Question 5

Is the ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 compatible with the Astro A50s?

I've read that they require DDL (Dolby Digital Live) for the full 7.1 experience and I can't find anything in the ASUS control panel that points to it having this feature.

I don't want to drop this kind of money and not be able to experience the 7.1 awesomeness that these pump out!

Thanks all!

Accepted Answer

Hi Josh L
The Xonar DG 5.1 will work with the A50s but it does not have DDL, that means that surround sound will only work with pre-render sounds like blueray movies.
The Xonar DX and the Xonar D1 do support DDL. They are more expensive but among the cheapest PCI cards with DDL support.

Im using the A50s with the Xonar U3, its a USB sound card with DDL support and is about half the price of the PCI cards i mentioned.

Question 6

Is this still the old version as pictured or has the product been updated to the newer released set of a50s with the Black with blue lettering?

Accepted Answer

I would like to know the same, as i saw the "blue" ones on Astros Webpage

Questions & Answers