Pair the Astro A50 With PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, and Mac

Don't let the name of Astro A50 Xbox One wireless gaming headset fool you: Despite the Xbox One branding, an Astro rep confirmed that the headset also works with the PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Windows computer, and even mobile devices. Following some quick instructions will allow you to make the A50 work with these other systems.

PlayStation 4

To pair the PS4 with the A50:

1. Place the base station in Console Mode and verify that the PS4 option is active.
2. Plug the micro USB cable into the back of the MixAmp Tx transmitter and the USB end into the PS4 to power the device.
3. Open Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings and choose Primary Output Port.
4. Change the setting to Digital Out (Optical). You might also need to choose the Dolby Digital format on the next screen.
5. On the Audio Output Settings page, choose Audio Format (Priority) and change it to Bitstream (Dolby).
6. On the Settings page, choose Devices > Audio Devices, and change the Input and Output Device to USB Headset (ASTRO Wireless Transmitter).
7. Choose Output to Headphones and change it to Chat Audio.

PlayStation 3

To pair the A50 with the PS3:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the PS4 instructions above.
2. Open Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Output Settings.
3. Pick Optical Digital and then Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch. Do not pick DTS 5.1 Ch.
4. Open Settings > Accessory Settings > Audio Device Settings.
5. Enable chat by selecting ASTRO Wireless Transmitter under both Input Device and Output Device.

Xbox 360

As with the Xbox One, using the A50 on the Xbox 360 requires a special cable that you plug into the controller. You’ll have to buy that cable yourself; it’s not included with the Astro A50 Xbox One wireless gaming headset.

Also, if you’re using an older, non-slim Xbox 360, you’ll need an Xbox 360 audio dongle, too.

The instructions for setting up the Xbox 360 are as follows:

1. Complete steps 1 and 2 from the PS4 tutorial.
2. Sign in to your Xbox Live profile.
3. Connect the small end of that special chat cable to the controller and the other end to the A50 port on the left earpiece.

Windows Computer

Making the A50 work on a Windows computer is easiest if your computer has an optical port. Otherwise, you can try connecting using a 3.5mm cable as detailed on the Astro support site.

If your PC does have an optical port, take these steps:

1. Put the base station into PC Mode.
2. Plug the micro-USB cable to the back of the base station and the USB end to the PC.
3. From Control Panel, open the Hardware and Sound link. Choose the Sound applet.
4. Make sure you're in the Playback tab of the Sound window.
5. Right-click SPDIF Out or ASTRO A50 Game and choose Set as Default Device.
6. Return to the Playback tab, right-click ASTRO A50 Voice, and choose Set as Default Communication Device.
7. Back in the Sound window, open the Recording tab.
8. Right-click ASTRO A50 Voice and set it as both the default device and the default communication device.

As long as your sound card supports Dolby Digital, you should be all set up.

Mac

To connect to a Mac, you’ll need an optical-audio-to-3.5mm adapter cable.

1. Put the base station into PC Mode.
2. Using the optical-audio-to-3.5mm adapter cable, plug the optical end to the OPT IN of the MixAmp Tx and the 3.5mm connector to the 3.5mm optical port of the Mac.
3. Power on the Mac and then the MixAmp Tx.
4. On your Mac, go to Settings > Sound > Output > Digital Out.
5. Open Settings > Sound > Input.
6. Enable chat by choosing ASTRO Wireless Transmitter.

To do so without an optical cable:

1. Put the micro-USB cable into the Tx transmitter and the other end into the Mac.
2. Plug the audio cable into the transmitter and the headphone jack of the Mac.
3. Connect the headset to the transmitter.
4. Open to Settings > Sound > Output > ASTRO Wireless Transmitter.