INSTRUCTION MANUAL
WIRELESS HEADSET
A50
QUICK
START
INSTRUCTIONS
ASTRO Gaming’s A50 Wireless headset is the perfect
gaming asset for the audio-savvy citizen who equally
appreciates business and pleasure. Professionally-tuned
ASTRO Audio paired with Dolby® Digital 7.1 Surround
Sound keep you fully immersed in the experience.
Whether you’re gaming, enjoying a feature film, or
listening to your favorite album on repeat—control over
the sound settings is just a touch away.
Congratulations on your
sound investment.
The A50s are equipped with KleerNet’s 5.8 GHz wireless
technology, designed for unimpaired performance
amongst the array of other RF traffic. ASTRO Gaming’s
integrated MixAmp™ technology allows for precise
control of game to voice balance, all fitting neatly into
the contoured design of the A50. This guide will point to
the various ways in which your A50’s can be adjusted to
a setup that’s all your own.
A50 WIRELESS SYSTEM
5.8 GHZ
EQ PRESETS
OPTICAL CABLE
Provides clear Dolby® Digital surround
sound across all platforms.
USB POWER CABLE
Powers your MixAmp™ Transmitter (Tx)
as well as voice chat for the PlayStation
Network and PC gaming.
USB CHARGING CABLE
Charges your A50 Wireless Headset from
the MixAmp™ Transmitter.
DISPLAY STAND
Holds the MixAmp™ Transmitter and
A50 Wireless Headset for storage and
charging.
Package Contents
Contents
So… you’ve breached the boxy exterior, and you’re working
your way along the inside. You’ll find that your A50 comes
bundled with some cables, each has a purpose that’s suited
to your method of gameplay.
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System Configuration // PS4
2
Plug the optical cable into the MixAmp™
Transmitter and back optical port of the
PS4 for Dolby® Digital 7.1 Surround Sound
(Be sure to remove the caps on the cable tips).
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
Back of PS4
3
Power on the PS4, then the MixAmp™
Transmitter. The headset and transmitter
should already be paired (see page 10 for
pairing instructions).
MixAmp
TM
Pro Power Button
*STAND BY *POWER ON
8
The A50 headset and PS4 are set up and
ready to go. Game on!
5
Go to settings and select “Sound and
Screen,” then select “Primary Output Port”
and choose “Digital Out (Optical).”
PS4 SOUND SETTINGS
6
Go back to “Audio Output Settings” and
select “Audio Format (Priority),” then select
“Bit Stream (Dolby).”
PS4 SOUND SETTINGS
4
The PS4 will automatically detect the
headset; sign into a user profile when
prompted.
SIGN IN
7
Under the “Audio Output Settings” menu,
select “Output to Headphones” and make
sure “Chat Audio” is selected and not
“All Audio.”
PS4 SOUND SETTINGS
1
Plug Micro-USB Cable into MixAmp
TM
Transmitter and PS4 for power.
Front of PS4 Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
2
3
8
5
6
4
7
1
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System Configuration // PS3
Power on your PS3 first, then your
MixAmp™ Transmitter and A50 Headset.
*Your headset and transmitter should
already be paired.
MixAmp
TM
Pro Power Button
*STAND BY *POWER ON
That’s it! Your A50 Wireless Headset and PS3
are set up and ready to game.
Choose ‘Optical Digital’ and only activate
‘Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch’
*Make sure that ‘DTS 5.1 Ch’ is NOT Selected
PS3 SOUND SETTINGS
To enable Voice Chat, go to ‘Settings,’ select
‘Accessory Settings,’ and then ‘Audio Device
Settings.’
PS3 SOUND SETTINGS
Under both ‘Input Device’ and ‘Output Device,’
select ‘ASTRO Wireless Transmitter.’
PS3 SOUND SETTINGS
To enable Game Audio, go to ‘Settings,’ then
‘Sound Settings,’ and select ‘Audio Output
Settings.’
PS3 SOUND SETTINGS
Plug Micro-USB cable into MixAmp
TM
Transmitter and PS3 for power.
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter Front of PS3
Plug Optical cable into MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
& PS3 for Dolby® 7.1 Surround Sound.
*Be sure to remove caps on the cable tips
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
Back of PS3
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System Configuration // x360
2
3
5
6
4
1
That’s it! Your A50 Wireless Headset and Xbox
360 are set up and ready to game.
Plug the micro-USB cable into the MixAmp™
Transmitter and the USB port of the Xbox
360 for power.
To use Xbox LIVE® Chat: Connect the Xbox
LIVE® Cable from your Xbox 360 controller
to the port located on the left earpiece of
the A50. **Cable not included
Plug the optical cable into the MixAmp™
Transmitter and optical port of the Xbox 360
for Dolby® Digital 7.1 Surround Sound (Be
sure to remove the caps on the cable tips).
Power on your Xbox 360 first, then your
MixAmp™ Transmitter and A50 Headset.
The headset and transmitter should
already be paired.
Sign into a user profile when prompted.
MixAmp
TM
Pro Power Button
*STAND BY *POWER ON
SIGN IN
**If you have a non-slim Xbox 360 and you use
HDMI to connect to the TV, you will need an Xbox
360 Audio Dongle (not included). You may be able
to pull audio from your TV’s optical pass-through.
See Home Theater System Configuration page.
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System Configuration // PC
2
3
8
5
6
4
7
1
Power on your PS3 first, then your MixAmp™
Transmitter and A50 Headset.
*Your headset and transmitter should already be paired, see
front page for pairing instructions. (page 2)
MixAmp
TM
Pro Power Button
*STAND BY *POWER ON
That’s it! Your A50 Wireless Headset and PC
are set up and ready to game.
Select ‘SPDIF Out’ or your digital output, then
‘Set as Default Device.’
CONTROL PANEL
To enable Voice Chat; go to ‘Control Panel,’
select ‘Sound,’ then ‘Recording.’
CONTROL PANEL
Select ‘ASTRO WIRELESS TRANSMITTER,’ then
‘Set as Default Device.’
*To guarantee full functionality, be sure your sound card
supports ‘Dolby Digital’ Technology.
CONTROL PANEL
To enable Game Audio on PC using Windows 7
Pro; go to ‘Control Panel,’ select ‘Sound,’ then
‘Playback.’
CONTROL PANEL
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
Plug Micro-USB Cable into MixAmp
TM
Transmitter and PC for power.
USB Port on PC
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
Plug the optical cable into the MixAmp™
Transmitter and PC for Dolby® Digital 7.1
Surround Sound (Be sure to remove the
caps on the cable tip
Optical Port on PC
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System Configuration // MAC
2
3
5
6
4
1
Power on the Mac, then turn on the MixAmp™
Transmitter and A50 headset. The headset and
transmitter should already be paired
MixAmp
TM
Pro Power Button
*STAND BY *POWER ON
That’s it! Your A50 Wireless Headset and MAC
are set up and ready to game.
To enable Voice Chat; go to “Settings,” select
“Sound,” then “Input.” Select “ASTRO WIRELESS
TRANSMITTER.”
CONTROL PANEL
To enable Game Audio, go to “Settings,” select
“Sound,” then “Output” and choose “Digital Out.”
CONTROL PANEL
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
Plug micro-USB cable into the MixAmp™
Transmitter and USB port on the Mac
for power.
USB Port on MAC
Back of MixAmp
TM
Transmitter
Attach a 3.5mm optical adapter* to the mini-
optical cable provided, then plug into MixAmp™
Transmitter and Mac 3.5mm optical port.
3.5mm on MAC
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System Configuration // HOME
Optical pass-through gives you the ability to output the same optical signal your MixAmp™
Transmitter is receiving, allowing you to add an additional peripheral device without having to
adjust any cables.
To Connect:
OPT-OUT to AV Receiver: Connect optical cable from the OPT-OUT port on the MixAmp™ Transmit-
ter to the input on your AV Receiver.
Television Setup:
If your television comes equipped with optical pass-through functionality, simply connect the
optical output on your television to the OPT-IN port on your MixAmp™ Transmitter, bypassing the
optical port on your Xbox 360.
OPT-INOPT-IN
AV Receiver TV
OR
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LED Indicator on A50 Headset:
Solid Red, USB connected: Charging finished.
Solid Red, USB disconnected: Powered on.
Blinking Red + Audible Beep: Low Power,
Charge Immediately.
Solid Orange: Charging Lithium-Ion Battery.
Blinking White: Pairing mode.
A50 LED BEHAVIOR
LED Indicators on MixAmp™ Tx:
Power LED
Off: Powered off.
Solid Red: Powered on.
Blinking White: Pairing mode.
Dolby® LED
Off: Dolby® Headphone disabled.
Solid Red: Dolby® Headphone enabled.
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Xbox LIVE®
Cable Port
USB
Charging Port
Microphone
Power / Pairing
EQ Mode Select
1. Media Mode
2. Core Mode
3. Pro Mode
Master Volume
Game / Voice Balance
A50 User INTERFACE
A50 USER INTERFACE
A50 Controls
Game/Voice Balance: The A50’s integrated game and voice
mixing functions are located on your right earpiece. The A50s
come preset to a 50/50 balance. To adjust, press the button for
the audio function you wish to incrementally increase. Holding
down “Game” will cause the mixing function to isolate game
sounds, quieting the voice. Pressing “Voice” will cause the mixer
to decrease game sounds, amplifying voice.
While using this feature you may find your A50 emits a series of
intermittent beeps. Rest assured, you haven’t been tricked into
an ASTRO hearing test.
A50 Game/Voice Balance Beeps:
At 50/50 Game + Voice: Emits a single beep
At 100% Voice: Emits a two-tone beep (unique to max voice)
At 100% Game: Emits a two-tone beep (unique to max game)
Master Volume: The Master Volume wheel located on the
bottom of the right earpiece adjusts overall volume control.
Use the Master Volume in conjunction with Game/Voice Balance
for total audio domination. Lecherous laughter is optional (but
encouraged).
Microphone: The A50 fixed microphone operates when in the
down/forward position. To activate the microphone’s mute
feature, simply swing the microphone arm up to the vertical
(12 o’clock) position, where the microphone will click into place.
Equalizer (EQ) Modes: EQ modes are controlled by a switch
located on the back of the right earpiece. The A50s come
equipped with three separate EQ modes for better listening:
1. Media: Enhanced bass, for movies and music
2. Core: Balanced for single player gaming
3. Pro: Boosted high frequencies for competitive gameplay
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MixAMP® TX USER INTERFACE
MixAmp™ Tx – Top:
Left Button: Power/Pairing
Right Button: Dolby® Headphone Virtual 7.1 Digital Surround
On/Off
MixAmp™ Tx – Rear:
PWR: Connect the USB Power Cable from this port to a free port
on your console or PC to power the MixAmp™ Tx and enable
voice capability*.
AUX: Auxiliary In. Plug your media device into this port with an
optional 3.5mm cable in order to wirelessly stream audio to
your A50 headset. Intended for use with MP3 players, phones,
and PCs (when optical digital out is not available).
OPT-OUT: Optical Out Pass through, use this input to connect
your home theater system.
OPT IN: Use this input to connect the Optical Cable from TV, PC,
or console
USB: USB: Insert the USB Charging Cable into this socket, and
attach the other end to the port on your A50s when not in use.
This port is also utilized when updating to the latest firmware
and is also needed to power Optical Passthrough.
*Additional setup may be required for some systems. Don’t panic. Simply refer to the
System Configuration for your gaming console or PC to get you all sorted out.
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USB
Charging Port
AUX In
Optical In from TV or Console
USB Power /
Voice
Optical Out
Passthrough
Power / Pairing Dolby® Headphone
Button
PAIRING
Your A50 and MixAmp™ TxD come pre-paired. It is only
necessary to initiate the pairing process if there is no
audio after setup is completed. Got it?
Locate the Power button on the face of the MixAmp™
Transmitter and on the right side of the A50 headset.
Begin pairing mode by simultaneously holding
the power button on the MixAmp™ TxD unit and on
the A50 headset until both of the buttons blink white.
The LED indicators on both
devices will show solid
white for three seconds,
indicating that pairing has
occurred.
When the pairing process is
complete, the power buttons
on the A50 and the MixAmp™
TxD will show solid red.
You can pair up to four A50 headsets to your MixAmp™ TxD.
However only the first paired headset can use its microphone.
We recommend muting the mics of all other paired headsets.
For pairing multiple A50 headsets to your MixAmp™ TxD,
repeat this process for each additional headset or after doing
a firmware update.
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BATTERY & CHARGING
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Charging
To charge your A50, attach the USB Charging Cable from the base of the
MixAmp™ Tx to the charging port on the A50s. The indicator light on the A50
will show solid orange during charging and then solid red once your A50s are
fully powered up and ready for action.
Battery Life
The non-removable lithium-Ion battery built into your A50s requires a five
hour charging cycle to reach full power. Once fully charged, the battery is
good for 8 -10 hours of on-head action time, depending on your degree of
use.
USB Charging Cable
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DISPLAY STAND
Display Stand – Permanent Assembly
Your display stand arrives in three parts: Base, Spine, and Beak.
To assemble:
Slide and snap in the tabbed edges of base piece
into the corresponding edges of the spine.
Slide and snap the tabbed edge of the beak into
the top of the spine.
Once assembled, the Display Stand functions as a base for your
MixAmp™Tx and A50s for charging and display. The stand is
not meant to be taken apart.
1.
2.
Firmware Updating:
Keep your A50s and your platforms playing nice, and in
proper working order by making sure you are running the
latest firmware:
http://www.astrogaming.com/firmware
Troubleshooting
See FAQ:
http://www.astrogaming.com/faq
All ASTRO Gaming products come with an automatic 1-year warranty. Registration is
not required. If you purchased ASTRO products from a 3rd party retailer, you don’t
need to register it, but you will need to provide proof of purchase for any warranty
claims.
Register ASTRO products here:
http://www.astrogaming.com/register
Specs:
Weight w/o cable: 0.81lbs/363 grams
Max SPL: ~118 dB @1kHz
Ear Coupling: Over-Ear
Distortion: THD<1%
Kessel Run Distance: Under 12 Parsecs
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20 KHz
Connector: 2.5mm XBOX Live® chat port, Mini-USB port
Microphone: 6.0mm uni-directinal noise canceling
Power Source: Mini-USB (USB 2.0 compatible)
Battery Life: 8-10 Hours
Wireless Radio: 5.8GHz Kleernet
MixAmp
TM
Tx Inputs: Optical In, AUX In (3.5mm), USB Power, USB Chat Audio
MixAmp
TM
Tx Outputs: Optical Passthrough, USB Charging Port
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SUPPORT
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Statement
15.21
You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the part
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
15.105(b)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
∆ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
∆ Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
∆ Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
∆ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2) This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions
for satisfying RF exposure compliance. This transmitter must not be co-located or
operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
FCC RF Exposure requirements:
This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operation in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter.
THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE
CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICA-
TIONS COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
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FCC STATEMENT
INDUSTRY CANADA CONFORMITY STATEMENT / DÉCLARATION DE CONFORMITÉ
D’INDUSTRIE CANADA
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Skullcandy, Inc. declares that this product is in compliance with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of Directives 2004/108/EC. A copy of the
Declaration of Conformity for this product may be obtained by contacting Skullcandy,
Inc.
Note on environmental protection:
After the implementation of the European Directive 2012/19/EU in the national legal
system, the following applies: Electrical and electronic devices may not be disposed
of with domestic waste. Consumers are obliged by law to return electrical and
electronic devices at the end of their service lives to the public collecting points set
up for this purpose or point of sale. Details to this are defined by the national law of
the respective country. Failure to dispose of electronic devices properly may have
harmful effects on the environment and human health as a result of the presence of
hazardous substances in the products. This symbol on the product, the instruction
manual or the package indicates that a product is subject to these regulations. By
recycling, reusing the materials or other forms of utilizing old devices, you are making
an important contribution to protecting our environment.
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CANADA CONFORMITY