I doubt receivers would introduce hiss. And I dunno about you but the E17 is dead silent. No way that any hiss coming off it would ever be an issue. USB noise was probable though, as I have a few noisy usb ports.

The first gen Mixamp was almost hiss free. Perhaps even the Mixamp Pro (pre-2013).

Im not too worried about hiss, as when youre in the middle of a match, hiss is such a non-issue, even on the hissy AX720.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 12/14/12 at 10:31pm

Of course. I use my cans for more games than just FPS. The main reason I specifically mention FPS (and third person shooters) games, is because they are the ones that hold the most importance in terms of positional cues. Other types of games don't tend to highlight positional cues as well.

Most of the games I play AREN'T shooters, lol.

Upon unboxing the A40+Mixamp 2013 bundle, I'm greeted by a very lovely looking Mixamp (SO much better looking and feeling than the first gen).

What it comes with:

A40 headset (with removable speaker tags, though I don't hear much of a difference between having them on or off).

Mixamp 2013 Edition

Microphone for the headset

Male Y cable to allow the A40s to attach to a PC. This is NOT a female Y cable that will allow use of other headsets with the Mixamp, so make sure to order your own if that is the case.

Optical cable (fairly lengthy AND of good quality.... not like the flimsy, short optical cable that came with the Mixamp 5.8. One end is of the mini optical variety to directly connect to the Mixamp)

2.5mm Controller cable (for 360)

3.5mm cable with a mic mute switch for connecting directly to the A40s. (very nice to have a removable cable)

3.5mm male/male cable (apparently for connecting an MP3, but obviously works for anything)

USB to mini USB (I have a million so I'll leave this one alone)


All the cables are of good quality.

Looks good so far.

Things I have to note... if you sit far from your setup, you're gonna need your own long USB cable, and long optical cable (as well as getting a mini optical adapter). None of the cables supplied are long enough to have the Mixamp next to you if you are some distance away from your consoles.

Still, not happy that the Mixamp only has one optical input. Most gamers have MORE than one game system, so it's a hassle to constantly unplug just to switch to the other system. They need to rectify this with the next Mixamp model. We need more inputs, not less.

One impressive thing, is that the A50s don't seem much heavier than the A40, yet it has DH built in directly to the headset.

Note: Doesn't look like the A40s accept any other cable other than the one supplied, as I tried the Slyr and other cables, and none work. The A40 cable is 4 channels (I assume one is for the Stream channel), and the plug is pretty long. So you'll have to use the A40 cable, though an extension cable works fine if you're not using voice chat.

quick impression of sound for music (through my ODAC > SA-31)

I already feel it sounds better than the A50. It sounds airier, and less bloated in the bass. It definitely sounds better than I remember of the first gen A40s. It has a nicely balanced sound, whereas the old A40s were hollow, and lacking bass, and the A50s are muddy and bass bloated in comparison. I'll call it early and say the A40s are gonna be better than the A50s. The mids are considerably distant compared to the SLYR, and the SLYR has more bass impact, while still remaining tight. The soundstage on the A40 in stereo is pretty good.

So far, and surprisingly, I STILL prefer the SLYR's sound signature.

I have a feeling the A40s will be better for gaming than the SLYR though.



I will at least be able to compare all three headsets at the same time:

PS3 to A50
A50's optical out to Mixamp 5.8 - Slyr
Mixamp 5.8's optical out to Mixamp 2013 - A40


edit: Just compared Mixamp 5.8 hiss vs Mixamp 2013 hiss. They are similar. Meaning, they are non-issues! They certainly aren't AX720 level of hissy.

The Mic on the A40 is damn good. Zero complaints.

edit 2: Not even close. The A40s walk all over the A50s. I mean, seriously. Hooked up the A40s to the 5.8 and Mixamp Pro, and the A50s sound... sad next to it.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 12/15/12 at 7:43am

So the A40s are pretty good for gaming, so far. Not 100% sure on positioning yet, but balance is good. The Mixamp EQ presets are good, but I stick to the top right, which is flat. Top left is Pro mode which lowers bass and raises detail, but I didn't find it necessary.

There is a point on the volume knob (around 60-65%) where there is a noticeable crackle/distortion when turning the knob. It is always in the same spot. It doesn't affect anything, just when turning the knob and passing that point. I dunno if it's just something that happens with this specific Mixamp I got. Just wanted to note it.

Anyone else with a 2013 Mixamp hear this crackle? Just keep turning the volume past this point and back.

So I am pleased with the A40s. Not PC360 great, but it is a legit headset. I need to test more for positional cues. Right now, I'm not keen on ANY of the headphones I have on hand, for pure positional cues. They are all merely good on the positional cue front (with Dolby Headphone). I guess I'm just too used to open headphones, and going back to closed headsets like this takes some getting used to. At worst, the A50's are about a 6 for both fun and competitive (decent). At best, the A40s get a 7.5 for competitive, the SLYR gets at 7. For fun, the SLYR gets a 7.5, and A40 gets a 7. This are numbers made up on the spot, and don't reflect final scores. 7s are GOOD, 7.5s are almost great. Remember, these are PERSONAL scores, and not ones to compare to one another. A K701 with a 6.5 still sounds considerably better than the A40's even though they are a 7. This is why I say NOT to compare scores unless I specifically mention it.

I do feel the A40s are better performers for gaming than the SLYR, as the SLYR's soundstage can't quite match the A40's.

I'm glad to see that my worries about the A40s have been mostly baseless. Glad I held back on OLD A40 review. They WERE my very first gaming headphone/headset, and was at a time when I wasn't too experienced (well not experieneced at all) with all of this.

The SLYR doesn't have a Dolby Processor, but it does come with a 3.5mm cable that you can hook up to the Mixamp and works just as easily as the A40s on it. It does have it's own stereo mixer, but you don't have to use it, and opt out for the 3.5mm cable instead.

I don't know how to recommend it, other than for those that play in stereo, and those who have a processor without a headset. If you don't have any, I'd say it's probably best to save up for the A40 bundle, which is better suited for gaming from what I've heard so far. I still do prefer the SLYR for everything else, and they are still good for gaming. Still, is is assuming you have no setup.

Mixamp + SLYR = $210 or so.

Mixamp + A40 bundle = $250

Mixamp + A30 = $200 (and I definitely wanna hear them at some point, because if they are good, they may be the best cost effective Mixamp solution).

Again, this is early impressions on the A40s. I do like them for gaming quite a bit, SO FAR. Not as much for music, which I prefer the SLYR pretty definitively.

PC360 is still the best headset overall that I have heard. The combination of balance and open design put it quite a bit ahead for me.

I do find the A40s better than the AX720.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 12/15/12 at 9:04am