Astro A20 X | An Improved Logitech G522
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Quick Summary
The Astro A20 X has one of the best gaming headset mics on the market. It has bio-cellulose drivers and even dual console connectivity with the PLAYSYNC station. However, the A20 X is pretty much just a rebrand of the Logitech G522 with a few added features.
They look the same, feel the same, have the same lighting zones, and have same mic. Even the headphone audio quality is almost identical.
To start this review, I’ll give quick overview of the A20 X headset while pointing out what's specifically different between the A20 X and the G522.
Overview and G522 differences
The A20 X is a wireless gaming headset. It has both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, but not simultaneous audio. You have to toggle between them with the Bluetooth button on the right earcup.
PLAYSYNC base.
Back of the PLAYSYNC base.
Difference #1: The A20 X uses a PLAYSYNC base for its 2.4 GHz AKA “Lightspeed” connection. This has two USB-C ports on the back.
The base can be connected to two devices at once. So PS5, PC, Xbox, Switch and any combination of two. You toggle between which one is active with the top button the right earcup. The G522 uses a single basic USB-A dongle and it's not compatible with Xbox at all.
G522 USB-A dongle.
Difference #2: the A20 X has a game/chat volume mixer in the form of two buttons on the right earcup. This does not work on PS5, but it does on Xbox and PC. This is incredibly convenient, and I use it all the time.
Difference #3: The A20 X is 9 grams heavier at 298 grams total vs the G522’s 289 grams total.
Difference #4: Lastly, the A20 X has slightly more bass, but it's not a massive difference.
Other than that, these headsets are basically identical. So, let’s continue getting into the specifics of the A20 X anyway.
Controls
Left earcup.
Starting with the left earcup, there’s the power switch at the top. This does have auto shut off so you have to flip it off then back on when that happens. Next is the Bluetooth button for switching between Bluetooth and Lightspeed.
Underneath that is the volume wheel. On PC and Android, this controls the headset volume instead of system volume. On Xbox, it controls the system.
The mic mute button activates a red light on the mic when pressed. There’s no popping noise or static when it is pressed.
Right earcup.
The right earcup has a PLAYSYNC switch for toggling which system audio is playing from. Under that is the game/chat volume mixer wheel. Sadly, there are no media controls which makes this not as useful on the go.
Battery Life
The battery life is stated to be up to 90 hours with no lighting and 40 with default lighting. The longest I’ve gone without charging it is 12 days with the lighting on most of the time. It was at 20% power after that. So two weeks is possible, but expect about week of use.
Headphone Audio Quality
Headphone audio measured with my miniDSP EARS (not industry standard).
The A20 X has 40 mm bio-cellulose drivers. The G522 also has 40 mm drivers, but officially Logitech has always referred to them as "Pro-G drivers". However, a few media outlets that got the G522 sent to them specify them as bio-cellulose.
After listening to the A20 X, I'm pretty sure the G522 is also using bio-cellulose, just with slightly different tuning.
The A20 X is a relaxed, easy listen over long periods of time. The midrange is the most emphasized, the highs are significantly constrained, and the the bass is prominent - at least in my measurements.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 with the A20 X.
I tested these extensively across many different games and media sources. I played some of the Black Ops 7 beta, and the sound separation for pinpointing gunshots was excellent. The drivers give weapon fire a quick pop rather than a more thunderous boom.
Unfortunately, if you also played the beta, you'll know footstep audio is basically non-existent in BO7, so it doesn't really make for the best example. But I did play some other games like Armored Core VI and Silent Hill f where audio cues are way more important.
There's limited power in the sub-bass and while the measurement might make you think otherwise, the A20 X doesn't really have much vibration or rumble to it. It's just a nice, warm sound.
The Cloud III S treble is obnoxiously harsh in comparison to the A20 X.
It might be useful to increase some of the treble just a little in certain games. In Armored Core VI, there are high pitched lock on sounds that can get lost in chaotic fights.
While these resist distortion well, they also do not get very loud.
Overall, I like the tuning a lot. The G522 measured very similarly to these with the A20 X having slightly more bass and the G522 slightly more lower mids and mids. However, I want to be clear - these don't get close to the A50 Gen 5.
In terms of detail in the highs, power in the sub-bass, and overall sound separation, the A50 is just top of the line.
So overall summary, the A20 X is a fun, easy listen, but it's a step below the top devices.
Microphone Audio Quality
Logitech has been using this same microphone on all their latest headsets for good reason. It's the best on the market. It's not on the same level as a standalone mic like the Shure MV6 or even Logitech's own Blue Yeti, but for voice chats, Discord calls, and honestly even streaming it's excellent.
It has a frequency range of 70 Hz - 20 KHz. The tonality is natural even though struggles a bit with S sounds. You also get an equalizer to adjust the mic as well as many signal cleanup filters in the software.
Software
Just like the G522 and A50 Gen 5, the A20 X is compatible with the G Hub software on PC. When connected to a console, this can be controlled with the Logitech G phone app which is basically a lite version of the PC app.
I think this is still technically Bluetooth even though the headset is in console mode. This lets you control headphone audio and mic EQ (without the filters) on any system including your phone.
Logitech G phone app.
A parametric equalizer is available for both the headphone audio and microphone. EQ adjustments save to the headset itself for use on any device.
You can also control the lighting in the software, but to turn it off entirely you need to use the desktop app and disable inactivity lighting. There are only two lighting zones, so customization is limited.
Comfort and Build
The A20 X feels almost identical to the G522 except it's even heavier somehow. The A20 X is 286 grams without the mic and 298 with it.
The G522 is 277 and 289 with it. Unless you're used to heavier headsets, you will feel this unless you have excellent posture.
Same overall build though. All plastic, no swivel. The padding is cloth, but it's not particularly soft. There isn't much cushion inside, and I can only really rock these for about an hour before the pressure points become a problem around my ears.
Some people love suspension headbands. SteelSeries uses them a lot. I personally can't stand them as they always feel like something is pulling down on my head.
The mic is detachable and the angle is adjustable, but it bends back close to its original position quickly. I don't find these that well built or comfortable, but they’re not the worst I've used.
Verdict
The A20 X is a good choice if you're looking for the best gaming headset microphone out and if you want an easy to listen to sound signature.
Unless you care about the A20 X specific features like multi-console switching and game/chat mixer on Xbox and PC, then the G522 should save you some money and can pretty easily be EQ'd to sound like the A20 X.
If you're looking for the best on the market, I still recommend the A50 X or A50 Gen 5.
