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Overview
ASTRO Gaming is an American consumer electronics manufacturer specializing in video gaming headsets, peripherals, and accessories. The ASTRO Gaming Team lives by the motto, “living at the epicenter of technology and design”. The company was founded in 2006 by Brett Lovelady and Jordan Reiss in San Francisco, California where the company remains headquartered today.

ASTRO Gaming’s predecessor, ASTRO Studios, partnered with Microsoft on the industrial design for the Xbox 360 gaming console and controller. After operating independently for several years, ASTRO Gaming was acquired by the headphone manufacturer, Skullcandy in 2011. ASTRO Gaming operated under the Skullcandy brand for six years and was acquired by Logitech in 2017.

History
In August 2006, ASTRO Gaming raised its first round of funding of $2 million dollars with the help of Seraphim investments. At that time, ASTRO had a total of 7 employees. By 2010, ASTRO was up to 23 employees and had raised more than $5 million in additional funding.

In 2011 Skullcandy, the publicly traded Utah-based company, purchased ASTRO Gaming for $10.8 million, acquiring all assets. In 2016, Mill Road Capital purchased all outstanding stock of Skullcandy and its subsidiary ASTRO Gaming. In 2017, Logitech acquired ASTRO Gaming from Mill Road for $85 million dollars.

Products
Headsets: ASTRO Gaming has an extensive line of gaming headsets, with the current line compatible with PC and Mac and a variety of consoles including the Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. The A40 Tournament Ready (TR) Headset + MixAmp Pro TR is the company’s flagship product and is celebrating 10 years being on the market in updated iterations. The A50 Wireless + Base Station is ASTRO Gaming’s premium wireless headset. In 2017, ASTRO Gaming broke into the lower price point market and introduced the A10 Headset, which is compatible with all 3.5mm audio ports for an expanded usability. Later that year, they launched an affordable audio solution: the A20 Wireless Headset for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

Licensed Headsets: ASTRO Gaming additionally has an extensive line of licensed products in collaboration with several partnerships since the company’s founding. The collection of Special Edition headsets spans across many gaming and lifestyle brands, including Call of Duty, Activision, 343 Productions, Halo, and Adult Swim’s Rick & Morty.

Accessories: In addition to headsets, ASTRO Gaming often collaborates with licensed partners to produce licensed A40 TR Mod Kits including the Call of Duty A40 TR Mod Kit, soft goods including the Scout Backpack and the FLAK Jacket, and collectible accessories including ASTRO Gaming Pintrill pins.

Speaker Tags: The A40 TR Headset comes with interchangeable magnetic covers known as “Speaker Tags” that allow users to customize the appearance of their headset. ASTRO Gaming began creating customizable, swappable Speaker Tags for Esports teams and branched out to include licensed Speaker Tags, and user-created custom Speaker Tags. ASTRO Gaming has developed numerous Speaker Tag collections over the last 8+ years, including licensing deals with 343 Industries, Ubisoft, Cartoon Network, and Electronic Arts. Their most popular tags to date include DeadSpace 3, Call of Duty Blacks Ops III, and Rick and Morty.

Speaker Tags
The A40 TR Headset comes with interchangeable magnetic covers known as “Speaker Tags” that allow users to customize the appearance of their headset. ASTRO Gaming began creating customizable, swappable Speaker Tags for Esports teams and branched out to include licensed Speaker Tags, and user-created custom Speaker Tags.

ASTRO Gaming has developed numerous Speaker Tag collections over the last 8+ years, including licensing deals with 343 Industries, Ubisoft, Cartoon Network, and Electronic Arts. Their most popular tags to date include DeadSpace 3, Call of Duty Blacks Ops III, and Rick and Morty.

MixAmp Technology
The MixAmp Pro TR, companion to the A40 TR Headset, is an all-in-one audio solution for professional gamers. The MixAmp Pro TR functions as an audio DAC and Amplifier for gaming audio. It features the ability to connect multiple MixAmps locally, known as “daisy chaining”, to create a private voice network without the need for VoIP software such as Discord, Team Speak or Mumble. Other features include Dolby Headphone output, Game: Voice balance control and four pre-programmed audio EQ presets. The current version of the MixAmp Pro TR also features ASTRO Command Center software for customization for input and output parameters, auxiliary input/output ports, and full PC sound card functionality. The MixAmp Pro TR is the communications backbone for numerous Esports tournaments including the Call of Duty World League, Halo Championship Series, and Gears of War Pro League.

Mod Kit Innovation
In 2016, ASTRO Gaming released Mod Kits for the TR line of A40 TR Headsets. Mod Kits feature swappable leatherette ear cushions, special Speaker Tags with a silicone gasket to create a closed-back seal, a leatherette swappable headband, and a noise-isolating microphone. The application of a Mod Kit to an A40 TR Headset transforms the headset from an open-back design to a closed-back headset, improving performance in loud tournament and streaming environments. Mod Kits have been released with colors that complement the A40 TR Headset design aesthetic including Red, Green, and Blue, as well as licensed versions for Halo and Call of Duty.

Awards
In addition to being nominated for the best hardware provider of the year at the Esports Industry Awards 2017, ASTRO Gaming has won numerous design and technology awards.

Below is a list of accolades ASTRO Gaming has received for its gaming headsets, accessories, and gear products.


 * A50 Wireless Headset
 * IDSA Finalist
 * Best Gaming Headset of 2014
 * Gamescom Best of 2016 Hardware
 * A40 Audio System
 * Industrial Design of Excellence- Silver
 * CES Innovations Awards Honoree- Headphone
 * A30 Headset
 * Industrial Design Excellence Awards Finalist
 * CES Innovations Awards Honoree – Headphone
 * Top 25 Gadgets – Complex Magazine
 * A10 Gaming Headset
 * Best Hardware E3 2017 - Nomination

Esports Sponsorships
ASTRO Gaming has deep roots in and a strong affinity for the Esports scene. Over the years, the company has worked with professional teams, organizations, and leagues to help develop its full line of gaming products. ASTRO has sponsored some of the most prestigious domestic and international Esports gaming events including Major League Gaming (MLG), Call of Duty World League (CWL), Evolution Championship Series (EVO), Dreamhack, and Halo Championship Series (HCS).

In addition, ASTRO Gaming has partnered with many high profile professional teams over the years including Evil Geniuses, Team SoloMid, OpTic Gaming, Team Envyus, Team Infused, and MindFreak.

Current Sponsored Teams:
 * eUnited
 * TeamMVP
 * Team Infused
 * MindFreak Pro

ASTRO Stream Team
In 2013, ASTRO Gaming launched the Stream Team, a program that partnered ASTRO Gaming with online content creators as a way to reach out, lend support, and give back to the gaming community. The ASTRO Gaming stream team supports streamers and YouTube content producers through sponsorship, exclusive product giveaways, and promotions. With the launch of this program, influential streamers and YouTube content producers such as Father Son Gaming, Soma, Lirik, and Tmartn have helped drive awareness to the brand. Over 100 influencers are currently part of the ASTRO Stream Team.