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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord — biggest strength: It's a purpose-built replacement aux cord for Astro A10, A40, A40 TR, A50 and A30 headsets, with a built-in volume roller wheel and two different connector sizes (3.5 mm 4-pole and 5-pole) so you plug the 5-pole end into the headset and the 4-pole end into your device.
• Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord — biggest trade-off: It is a cable, not a headset. It only makes sense if you already own a compatible Astro headset; it adds no microphone, no drivers and no earbuds of its own. It's also a 3.5 mm aux cable, not a USB-C connection.
• ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones — biggest strength: A 3-pack of wired USB-C in-ear earbuds with a built-in DAC chip, dynamic drivers, a microphone, remote volume control and sound-isolating in-ear silicone tips, aimed at modern USB-C phones, tablets and laptops.
• ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones — biggest trade-off: It's a complete earbud set, not a spare part, so it can't revive an existing Astro headset. It also plugs into USB-C only — no 3.5 mm jack option.
• Who each pick is for: Cypher.V for Astro headset owners who need a working cable with inline volume control; ANLTOXLUS for anyone who wants USB-C earbuds they can use for calls, music and casual gaming on a phone or tablet.
The Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord is a single-purpose product, and that's exactly its appeal. If you own an Astro A10, A40, A40 TR, A50 or A30 headset and the original cable has failed, gone missing or developed a crackle, this is the part you're looking for. It's a 2 metre / 6.5 ft aux cable built around a 3.5 mm gold-plated plug and a no-oxygen copper cord, which the spec sheet frames as the basis for clear, stable sound transmission during gaming and streaming. The headline feature for a gamer is the inline volume roller wheel: instead of reaching for a software mixer or a keyboard shortcut, you roll the wheel on the cable itself.
Setup is genuinely simple. There are two connector sizes on the cable — a 3.5 mm 5-pole end and a 3.5 mm 4-pole end. The intended routine is to plug the 5-pole connector into the headset and the 4-pole connector into your device, then play. The 4-pole end is what makes it work with a broad range of gear: Xbox consoles, PS4, PC, laptops, tablets, smartphones and even car stereos are all listed as compatible, which makes this a handy cable to keep around beyond the desk. It's a male-to-male aux cable with four pins, finished in black plastic with a round, tangle-free cable design, and it's rated for both indoor and outdoor use.
Who should skip it? Anyone who doesn't own a compatible Astro headset. This is a replacement part, not an upgrade — it won't add a microphone, better drivers or a USB-C connection to anything. If you're shopping for earbuds or a headset from scratch, this cable isn't the product for you. And if your device only has USB-C with no 3.5 mm jack, this cable has nothing to plug into. For Astro owners, though, it's a straightforward, low-drama fix that restores inline volume control in one move.
The ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones are a different kind of purchase entirely: a 3-pack of wired in-ear earbuds built for USB-C devices. The spec sheet lists a dynamic driver, a built-in DAC chip, HiFi stereo sound with an emphasis on bass, and sound isolation from the in-ear silicone tips. Because they're wired over USB-C rather than 3.5 mm, they sidestep the headphone-jack problem that affects most recent phones — the compatibility list covers iPhone 16/15 series, iPad Pro, Mini and Air, MacBook Pro and Air, Samsung Galaxy S24/S23/S22 and Google Pixel 9/8/7, plus other Type-C devices.
The control situation is where these earbuds overlap with the cable above. There's a remote on the cord for volume and playback, plus an integrated microphone so you can take calls and manage music without touching your phone. For a gamer on a phone or tablet, that means you can adjust volume and mute yourself from the cable while playing — the same hands-on-cable convenience the Cypher.V cable offers, just in an earbud form factor. The reinforced anti-tangle cable, ergonomic in-ear shape and silicone enclosure point to a set designed for daily carry: commuting, workouts, travel and long listening sessions. ANLTOXLUS also backs them with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for repairing an existing Astro headset → Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord. It's built specifically for the A10, A40, A40 TR, A50 and A30.
• Best for inline volume control on a console or PC headset → Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord. The roller wheel sits on the cable, so volume is always within reach.
• Best for USB-C phones, tablets and laptops → ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones. The DAC chip and Type-C plug are made for modern devices with no headphone jack.
• Best for calls and voice chat on a phone → ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones. The built-in microphone and remote cover calls and music hands-free.
• Best for portability and everyday carry → ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones. In-ear silicone buds and an anti-tangle cable travel far more easily than a 6.5 ft headset cord.
• Best for cable length and reach at a desk → Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord. At 2 m / 6.5 ft, it gives you slack to move around a setup without tugging.
• Best for a spare or a multi-device household → ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones. It comes as a 3-pack, so there's a set for the bag, the desk and a spare.
• Best for sound isolation in a noisy room → ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones. The in-ear silicone seal is designed to block outside noise, something the bare cable obviously can't do.
In my opinion, this comes down to what's already in your drawer. If you own a compatible Astro headset and the cable is the problem, I'd buy the Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord — it's the specific part that fixes the specific fault, and the inline volume roller is the feature you'll actually notice every session. If you don't own an Astro headset, or your devices are USB-C only, the Cypher.V cable has nothing to do for you, and I'd go with the ANLTOXLUS USB C Headphones instead: a complete, self-contained set with a mic, remote volume and a 3-pack to spread around. Two different jobs, two different answers.
FAQ
Yes. The compatibility list covers the iPhone 16 and 15 series, along with iPad Pro/Mini/Air, MacBook Pro/Air, Samsung Galaxy S24/S23/S22 and Google Pixel 9/8/7.
No. They're a USB-C wired connection only, with no 3.5 mm plug, so they need a USB-C port on the device.
They solve unrelated problems, so value depends on your setup — one is a single replacement cable, the other a 3-pack of earbuds. Compare the current price on Amazon for each and match it to what you actually need.
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