How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want one headset that works straight out of the box for classroom and call-center listening, choose HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset; if you need a replacement cable to revive an Astro gaming headset and plug it into an Xbox controller, choose Tobysome A50.
• HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset — biggest strength: a complete, ready-to-wear over-ear headset with 40mm drivers, in-line volume control and a chew-resistant braided nylon cord.
• HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset — biggest trade-off: it is a wired, 3.5mm TRRS-only headset with no microphone mute button beyond the volume wheel, and no wireless option.
• Tobysome A50 — biggest strength: a 6.6-foot replacement cable with an in-line mic, volume wheel, mute button and call pickup/hangup button that reconnects Astro A10/A20/A30/A40/A40TR/A50 headsets to an Xbox One controller, MixAmp, PC or Mac.
• Tobysome A50 — biggest trade-off: it is a cable only — no ear cups, no drivers, so it is useless unless you already own a compatible Astro headset.
• Who each pick is for: the Smart-Trek Mini for teachers, students and anyone who needs a durable plug-and-play headset; the Tobysome A50 for Astro owners whose original cable is lost, frayed or broken.
The Smart-Trek Mini is a finished product, not a part. You get 40mm dynamic drivers, a 50–20000Hz frequency response, 105dB ±4dB sensitivity and 32Ω impedance — numbers that describe an easy-to-drive headset that a phone, tablet, laptop or classroom audio hub can power without a separate amplifier. The 3.5mm TRRS plug carries both audio and mic over a single connection, and the in-line volume control sits on the cord so you can trim loudness without reaching for the device.
The design story is clearly aimed at schools. The headband is adjustable and snaps into position for different head sizes, the over-ear cups use leatherette cushions that are described as easy to clean and good at isolating outside noise, and the cord is a PVC-jacketed, braided nylon "Dura-Cord" built to resist chewing, kinking and knotting. That last detail matters more than it sounds — in a room of kids, cables are usually the first thing to fail.
Buy it if you want one headset that survives daily handling by multiple people, or if you simply want a comfortable over-ear wired headset for calls, e-learning and light listening. Skip it if you need wireless freedom, active noise cancellation (this model has none) or a detachable cable you can swap out — the cord here is fixed. Also skip it if your device only accepts a separate mic and headphone jack, since this is a single TRRS plug.
The Tobysome A50 is a different kind of purchase entirely. It is a 2-meter (roughly 6.6-foot) male-to-male AUX replacement cable with a 7-pin connector, made with gold-plated contacts and what the listing calls "super core wire" for clean, lossless stereo transmission. That length is the practical headline: it gives you slack to sit back from a TV, monitor or controller instead of yanking your head sideways.
What makes it more than a plain cable is the control pod. You get a volume wheel, an inline microphone, a mute button and a call pickup/hangup button. There is also a small A/B switch: position A passes your Astro headset's own microphone through, while position B activates the inline mic built into the cable itself. That second setting is also the one you need if you want the buttons to control your phone or music device, which is what turns this into an on-the-go cable for listening and taking calls.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a complete, ready-to-use headset → HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset. Drivers, ear cups, headband and cable all included.
• Best for reviving an existing Astro headset → Tobysome A50. It is the missing link between your headset and your controller or PC.
• Best for classroom or shared-device durability → HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset. The braided nylon Dura-Cord and cleanable leatherette cushions are built around heavy, repeated use.
• Best for cable reach → Tobysome A50. 6.6 feet of slack versus a standard headset cord.
• Best for comfort over long sessions → HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset. Adjustable headband plus over-ear leatherette cushions that also block some surrounding noise.
• Best for phone calls and music on the move → Tobysome A50 when it is paired with an Astro headset, because the inline mic and call button work in the B switch position.
• Best for easy amplification → HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset. At 32Ω and 105dB sensitivity it plays loud from ordinary phone and laptop outputs.
• Best for anyone starting from zero → HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset. If you own nothing compatible, the Tobysome cable gives you nothing to listen through.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the HamiltonBuhl Smart-Trek Mini Headset. In my opinion it is the safer purchase because it is a complete product: the 40mm drivers, adjustable headband, over-ear cushions and reinforced braided cord cover everything a buyer actually needs, and the 32Ω/105dB spec means it works from almost any device with a 3.5mm jack. The Tobysome A50 is genuinely good at its job, but its job is narrow — replacing a cable for Astro owners. I would only recommend it if you already own a compatible Astro headset and specifically need that 6.6-foot reach, the inline mic and the call controls. Everyone else should take the Smart-Trek.
They are not really competing products. The Smart-Trek is a full wired headset; the Tobysome A50 is a replacement cable for Astro gaming headsets. If you need to listen to something today, the Smart-Trek is the one that works on its own.
No. It is a cable with a 7-pin connector designed for Astro A10/A20/A30/A40/A40TR/A50 headsets and Xbox One controllers, MixAmps or PCs and Macs with a combined 3.5mm jack. On its own it produces no sound.
It has no active noise cancellation, but the over-ear leatherette cushions are designed to block some surrounding noise. There is no dedicated mute button — you control loudness through the in-line volume wheel.
Prices change often on both items, so check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide. I would not want to quote a number that is out of date by the time you read this.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.