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If you want a complete wired Xbox gaming headset with pro-style audio tuning, an on-controller amp and a headset you can convert to closed-back noise isolation later, choose Astro Gaming A40; if you need a cheap, breathable mesh memory-foam ear cushion set that kills outside noise on Razer BlackShark V2 / V2 Pro cans, choose G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions.
• Astro Gaming A40 — biggest strength: a full gaming audio system: ASTRO Audio V2 tuning, 20–20,000 Hz dynamic drivers, a swappable boom mic, reversible Speaker Tags, and the MixAmp M80 that clips onto an Xbox One controller for master volume, mute, EQ and Game:Voice balance.
• Astro Gaming A40 — biggest trade-off: it arrives as an open-back headset, so real noise isolation only comes if you add the Mod Kit (sold separately) with its synthetic-leather noise-canceling cushions and closed-back Speaker Tags.
• G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions — biggest strength: noise-isolating adaptive memory foam wrapped in breathable mesh fabric that resists sweat and doesn't flatten out, sold as a direct snap-fit replacement for the BlackShark V2 and V2 Pro.
• G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions — biggest trade-off: it is a pair of ear pads, not a headset — no drivers, no mic, no cable, and it only fits Razer BlackShark V2 / V2 Pro.
• Who the A40 is for: Xbox players who want one wired headset for competitive play plus live streaming, and who like being able to reposition the mic and change the look.
• Who the GVOEARS set is for: BlackShark V2 / V2 Pro owners whose original pads are worn, hot or leaking noise, and who want a cheap comfort and isolation refresh.
The A40 TR is one of those headsets that makes sense the moment you look at the whole package rather than the earcup. It's a wired 3.5 mm over-ear headset with 20–20,000 Hz dynamic drivers tuned with ASTRO Audio V2, which the spec sheet frames as pro-quality audio for competitive play and streaming alike. The cloth cushions are backed with synthetic leather — the cloth side keeps your head from overheating, the leather side is there for acoustic performance. That's a deliberate comfort-versus-seal compromise, and it tells you what kind of buyer this is aimed at.
Two design details stand out. First, the patented Speaker Tag system: you can swap printed tags for a custom look, and you can move the boom microphone to either side of the headset. If you've ever had a mic that sat on the "wrong" side for your setup, that's a genuinely useful bit of flexibility. Second, the MixAmp M80 mounts straight onto the Xbox One controller and is wireless to the console, putting volume, mute, EQ and Game:Voice balance under your thumb. Balancing how much game sound versus party chat you hear without leaving the game is the single most practical feature here.
So: buy the A40 if you play on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, want a wired headset with a controller-mounted control hub, and value customization and repairability. Skip it if you want sealed, isolating sound out of the box, or if you're gaming on a platform where a 3.5 mm wired headset with an Xbox-specific amp doesn't fit your setup.
G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions: Who It's For
This is a much narrower product, and it should be judged on that basis. The GVOEARS cushions are replacement ear pads built specifically for the Razer BlackShark V2 and BlackShark V2 Pro. They're not universal, and they're not a headset. What they are is a surprisingly complete little kit: one pair of earpads, two VELCRO cable wraps, a pry bar for lifting the old pads off, and two wipe pads. For a job most people attempt exactly once, having the removal tool and cleaning wipes in the box matters more than it sounds.
The materials are where the noise-isolating angle lives. The foam is adaptive memory foam, and GVOEARS describes it as soothingly resilient — it springs back instead of compressing flat over months of use. The cover is a breathable mesh fabric that's sweat-resistant and non-slip, so long sessions don't turn into a heat-and-slip problem the way worn-out pleather does. The wrap-around ear design is meant to keep your ears from being squashed against the driver housing, and the larger, softer pads are pitched as improving sound insulation over the stock ones. That's the logic behind the "noise-isolating" claim: better foam density plus a fuller seal around the ear equals less outside noise getting in and less of your audio leaking out.
Installation is the part that makes or breaks aftermarket pads, and GVOEARS claims the snap fit is identical to the original — the backing is designed to match the mounting posts inside the BlackShark V2 cups so the pads click in the same way. If that holds up, it's a ten-minute job with the pry bar.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a complete gaming setup → Astro Gaming A40. Headset, boom mic, Speaker Tags and MixAmp M80 in one box.
• Best for noise isolation out of the box → G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions. Memory foam plus a full wrap-around seal is the whole point of the product.
• Best for noise isolation on the A40 → the A40 with the Mod Kit. Closed-back Speaker Tags and synthetic-leather noise-canceling cushions are what flip it from open-back to isolating.
• Best for Xbox controller-side control → Astro Gaming A40. Volume, mute, EQ and Game:Voice balance sit on the MixAmp M80 at your fingertips.
• Best for long-session comfort without heat → G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions. Breathable mesh plus memory foam that resists deforming beats a worn-out pad.
• Best for mic placement flexibility → Astro Gaming A40. The boom mic can sit on either side thanks to the Speaker Tag system.
• Best for reviving gear you already own → G GVOEARS Replacement Ear Cushions. It fits BlackShark V2 and V2 Pro only, and the kit includes the pry bar and wipes.
• Best for platform flexibility → neither, strictly. The A40 is wired 3.5 mm with an Xbox-tuned amp; the GVOEARS pads only fit two Razer models.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Astro Gaming A40. It's the only one of the two that's an actual gaming headset, and the combination of ASTRO Audio V2 tuning, the reversible boom mic, the swappable Speaker Tags and the controller-mounted MixAmp M80 gives you far more to work with — plus a clear path to closed-back noise isolation via the Mod Kit if your room is loud.
That said, I'd only recommend the A40 to Xbox players who want a wired setup. If you already own a BlackShark V2 or V2 Pro, the GVOEARS cushions are the smarter, more targeted buy: breathable mesh, memory foam that holds its shape, and a snap-fit replacement that restores the seal and comfort your originals lost. Different jobs, different answers — and both make sense for the person they're built for.
FAQ
what is noise isolation headphones
are noise cancelling headphones good for gaming
Active noise cancellation and passive isolation are different things, and for gaming the passive kind is usually what matters, because it doesn't color the audio or add latency. The A40 leans on sound isolation and a closed-back conversion rather than active cancellation, and the GVOEARS pads isolate purely through foam and fit.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
In my opinion, the better question is which headset isolates well for your platform. On Xbox, the A40 with the Mod Kit is a strong pick because you get isolation plus ASTRO Audio V2 tuning and Game:Voice balance on the controller. If you already run a BlackShark V2 or V2 Pro, the GVOEARS memory-foam pads are the simplest way to tighten up isolation.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
There are gaming headsets built around isolation and closed-back designs rather than active cancellation. The A40 ships open-back and becomes a closed-back noise-isolating headset with the Mod Kit, while the GVOEARS replacement cushions are a straight noise-isolating upgrade for Razer BlackShark V2 and V2 Pro owners.
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