The headset is made of heavy plastic. I firmly believe a headset that costs $230 should feel elegant. I once owned a $300 headset that was made of metal and Italian sheep leather. It felt like a steering wheel in a luxury car. In contrast, the A50s feel like, well, plastic. But despite the plastic frames, the A50s are manufactured exceptionally well. You can spin and contour the ear cups with a satisfying twist, or flip the attached mic up to mute it, which locks with a satisfying snap. The microphone is bendable, although it never stays in place after shaped. In short, it's almost exactly like the A50s that came before it. But there are some cosmetic differences. The oblong base station has been shortened, and now occupies a much smaller footprint than its predecessor, which is a welcome addition for small gaming desks and TV consoles. You might not be able to tell – I initially couldn't – but the headset is smaller too. The A50's button layout has been streamlined. There's a slide...