Is the ASTRO Gaming A50 Gen 5 worth the upgrade from the Shure Srh440a?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Shure Srh440a to the ASTRO Gaming A50 Gen 5 buys you 13.2 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.0 to 8.2). On paper it adds usb-c. Worth checking: weight goes 268 g to 363 g. That costs $151 more, or about $11 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.08.2
- Value7.57.4
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Srh440a | A50 Gen 5 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 268 g | 363 g | |
| USB-C | No | Yes | |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 22 kHz | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Srh440a to A50 Gen 5". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.