ASUS - ROG Kithara Wired Audiophile Open-Back Gaming Headset with ROG-Tuned HIFIMAN Planar Magnetic Drivers - Black

If you’re like me, you probably saw ASUS and “gaming” on another headset and thought, “Oh great—here we go again. Another overhyped, RGB-covered headset with the ROG logo slapped on it.” I’m happy to report that this is actually an excellent headset, a genuinely solid collaboration between ASUS ROG and HIFIMAN. For context, my daily driver is the Audeze Maxwell, a wireless closed-back headset in a similar price range. It’s fantastic, but it offers a very different experience compared to this one. They are both Planar Magnetic Headphones. Out of the box, you get the headset, two sets of ear pads (velour and a hybrid leatherette), two cables, multiple adapters (3.5mm, 4.4mm, and 6.3mm), and a USB-C dongle with separate mic and audio outputs. The ear pads slightly change the sound, so it’s worth trying both. Going in, I expected ASUS to slap their branding on a HIFIMAN design, crank the tuning, and call it a day. Instead, this feels like a proper HIFIMAN headset with subtle ROG design touches; no unnecessary gimmicks. The tuning is where this headset really stands out. Unlike typical gaming headsets, the sound isn’t overly bass-heavy or scooped in the mids. It’s clean, balanced, and detailed. The bass is more restrained, the highs are slightly elevated, and overall it delivers a very natural sound. That said, bass lovers might find it lacking. But this is where planar magnetic drivers shine: fast response, excellent clarity, and strong separation between sounds. Games like Battlefield feel incredibly immersive because of how well everything is layered. And while the bass isn’t boosted, it’s tight and responsive; and these headphones handle EQ very well if you want to tweak the sound. That’s another benefit of planar magnetic design: they can take adjustments without distorting. Build quality is another highlight. There’s almost no plastic here; mostly metal, aluminum, with a spring steel headband. It feels premium without being overdesigned. They aren’t especially hard to drive, but like most planar headphones, they benefit from more power. Motherboard audio will work, but may not get the most out of them. Thankfully, ASUS and HIFIMAN include plenty of options: interchangeable cables for audiophile setups, a boom mic cable for gaming, and a USB-C DAC dongle that performs surprisingly well. For most people, that dongle will be more than enough. The included boom mic is a nice touch. If you already have a dedicated mic, you might not use it, but it completes the “gaming headset” package. One thing to consider; these are open-back headphones. That means little to no isolation you’ll hear your surroundings, and others may hear your audio. This can be a downside in noisy environments, but the trade-off is a much wider soundstage. For gaming, especially FPS titles like Call of Duty or Battlefield, this makes a huge difference in spatial awareness and immersion, not to mention the ability to understand where the sounds are coming from and that gives you an edge! Finally, these are wired headphones. That’s standard in the audiophile world, but it may be a dealbreaker if you prefer wireless convenience. If you can live with a cable, though, the sound quality is worth it. Bottom line: This headset exceeded my expectations. What could have been another branded “gaming” product is actually a thoughtfully designed, high-quality collaboration. ASUS and HIFIMAN clearly respected each other’s strengths, and the result is one of the best value open-back planar headsets around $300. Honestly, I’d take these over some of HIFIMAN’s own offerings.

I'm not an audiophile and never planned to be one. But after buying this product, I get it. If your use-case is specifically only for gaming, this is an amazing product. It is the first headset/headphones/earbuds that truly lets you hear "footsteps" and directional sound in a truly precise way. Does it help me? No, I really just find out where I'm going to get shot from a few milliseconds earlier. But what is great about these is the level of quality & precision of the audio. I'm so used to "bass quantity" and these let you hear "bass quality." --- The explosions and gunfire in Battlefield & Call of Duty are not just huge blasts, but these headphones are much more precise and immersive. I also have been using them to watch movies and shows. With newer movies & shows, the sound is incredible. On older shows/movies, I didn't find any difference (i tried watching the Sopranos and it wasn't any different). But any media that is mastered with precise audio and it's a great experience. In terms of "noise canceling" -- these are not. If you are on an airplane or on a bus or in a busy office etc. -- it will be a problem if you want to block out that sound. But in any other environment, I didn't notice a difference from my noise canceling headphones in terms of any quality. When family members were walking around or talking you can hear them muffled, but these aren't something I feel I need to be in a dead quiet space to wear or use. Now, the thing you should realize before purchasing these is you'll need to buy an AMP. I am not an audiophile and didn't know that would be required to truly get the value out of these. The reason is these types of headphones simply require more "power" that the typical 3.5mm or usb-c adapter can provide on its own. I decided to buy the Fosi Audio one and it was another $200. But there are other cheaper options out there as well. There are a lot of youtube videos about AMPs if you need to know more.

Not all headphones are created equal, there are those that stand above them all in all their audiophile glory and Asus Kithara stands right there with them. These are sickest headphone that I have used by far. They combine sleek ROG style with crystal clear, open back audio that every shot, foot step and explosion come alive. The Kithara combined designed, quality, and comfort all into one package to provide you with the best gaming/audio experience possible. So, lets go over what the new Asus Kithara have to offer. Setup and Design: First of all, I love the exceptional design and build quality of these headphones, everything from the packaging to the headphones just scream quality. The headphones have a hefty metal construction that weigh almost 1 pound. The headphones also feature an open back that creates such an airy, detailed soundstage allowing you to easily pick up on subtle environmental sounds or footsteps sneaking up behind you. The audio feels open and natural, putting you in the game instead of just hearing it. Inside the box you will find the Asus Rog Kithara headset, Dual 3.5mm-to-dual 3.5mm Boom Mic Cable, Dual 3.5mm with 3-in-1(3.5/6.3mm Single-Ended, 4.4mm balanced) Plug Cable, USB-C to Dual 3.5mm Adapter, 2x Ear Cushion Sets: 1x ROG Hybrid Fabric Set, and 1x ROG Leatherette Set already attached to the headphones. The fabric set is under the foam in the box so don’t throw away the box just yet. The headphones are compatible with multitude of devices ranging from the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, MAC, android and apple phones and pretty much that will accept a 3.5 mm audio jack or a USC-C connector. The detachable boom mic is another highlight—it’s clear, crisp, and doesn’t pick up unnecessary background noise. When I’m done gaming, I just pop the mic off and use the Kithara to listen to music or watch movies—it delivers clean, spacious audio that works just as well for your playlists as it does for your online battlefield. Comfort: The ear cups on the Kithara are rather large, measuring about 5 inches in height and about 3.5 inches in width allowing room for people with larger ears. Because of the oversized ear cups, the headphones sit around the ear for a more comfortable fit without the pressure and heat build up that usually happens with extended gaming/audio sessions. The headband fits snugly without the unnecessary pressure. Sound Quality: The secret behind the ROG Kithara’s amazing sound isn’t just its open-back design—it’s the tech packed inside those stylish ear cups. Asus co-developed the Kithara with HIFIMAN, featuring the 100mm Planar Magnetic drivers that were designed for audiophile-grade sound and placed them in a gaming headset. Those drivers bring out everything from crisp gunfire to deep, cinematic rumble with astonishing precision and vivid detail. The open back acoustic chamber adds another depth to the audio with these headphones. So, unlike the traditional headphones that trap the sound, the open back design let the air flow naturally, widening the soundstage giving you that “live” audio feel. As much as I love wireless headphones, the wired connection minimizes audio latency and interference. Not so Good: Even though I am a fan and just absolutely love these headphones there are things about the Kithara that may turn away some individuals. First of all, these are rather large headphones and do feel a bit bulky at times. Secondly, while gaming the wires do get a bit bothersome while moving around a bit, because I do get into the game. Lastly, because of the open back design that allows for airier audio, also allows the audio to leak out, so anyone sitting next to me hears what I hear. At the end of the day, the Asus ROG Kithara isn’t just another gaming headset—it’s a full-on audio experience. While, it may have some minor drawbacks, those aren’t enough to overcome the shear audiophile trance these headphones put you in. If you’re ready to level up your sound, the Kithara is the headset that makes ordinary audio feel legendary.

The ASUS ROG Kithara paired up with HiFiMan's planar headphone expertise, offering a strictly wired, open-back experience designed for pure audiophile-grade sound rather than software gimmicks. Let's see how this unique, premium headset performs. Overview and Specs ========================== There's no doubt that the ROG Kithara is a premium gaming headset. Yes, it's wired-only, and instead of standard dynamic drivers, it boasts massive 100mm HiFiMan planar magnetic drivers with a frequency response of 8Hz to 55kHz. Planar drivers are known for their low distortion, detailed bass, and accurate transient response. It comes with a detachable MEMS boom mic and an impressive bundle of cables and connectors, including 3.5mm, 6.3mm, a 4.4mm balanced plug, and a USB-C adapter that gives you a place to plug in the separate headphone and mic connections. Feel free to use whatever you need to connect to your PC, PS5 or Switch! Best of all, it requires absolutely no software to run—you can plug it into practically anything and it works straight out of the box. As a gamer that likes multiple brands, this was a big relief - no need to install yet another app! Design and Build ========================== The headset features a gunmetal frame and a suspension-style headband, giving it a high-end, studio-quality look. The vented open-back earcups even resemble the rear vents of the Asus ROG Ally X and are a unique take on the slotted planar headphones of competing brands. Despite weighing a substantial 420g, I thought they were surprisingly lightweight and well-balanced on the head, remaining comfortable during long gaming sessions. I think the suspension headband works perfectly to keep the all-metal build feeling light, but don't go banging your head to the music too much! There's no strong clamping force, so it's comfortable, but I have had them slide a bit during some intense listening and gaming sessions. It includes two sets of earpads (breathable mesh/leatherette and softer velour) so you can tailor the acoustic feel and comfort. Additionally, the earcups cannot be folded down for travel, and there's no hard case or carrying case included. Chances are, you're not taking this with you when you're traveling since they're open-backed anyway. Performance ========================== Performance is where the Asus ROG Kithara truly shine. The open-back design and planar drivers create a spacious, airy soundstage with very good positional accuracy, making it seem easy to pinpoint footsteps and gunshots in competitive games. I can't say it made me a better player in the frantic games like Fortnite, but I really enjoyed the detailed sound and music in the Sniper series where the details like walking on gravel, footsteps in offices, soldier's chatter, and the bold music all sounded great. The planar drivers help avoid artificial, muddy bass, instead offering detailed low-end bass and mid bass where it was easy to separate the instrument types and sounds. The midrange and vocals were spot-on, and the highs were a touch bright for my tastes, but your mileage may vary. Overall, I'd consider this closer to a "reference" headphone than the bass-heavy ones I typically lean to for a fun music listening session. The detachable MEMS mic is also pretty darn good, delivering crystal-clear voice comms for gaming and possibly streaming. It also did a pretty good job rejecting background noises like mechanical keyboard clatter and frantic mouse clicking. I wouldn't use the mic for voiceover work, but it's definitely good enough for gaming with your friends (and enemies). For those coming from closed back headphones, because it is an open-back headset, there is zero noise isolation! You will hear everything happening in your room, and everyone else will hear your game audio or music. Additionally, its volume output can depend heavily on your source device, with the included USB-C adapter providing noticeably more power and volume than plugging it directly into most PC audio jacks, though they are low impedance and should run well enough on anything. Note - don't forget that there's an analog volume wheel on the gaming headset wires! If your volume is low, check that first! Summary ========================== The Asus ROG Kithara is a highly specialized, top-tier headset for gamers who value reference-grade audio quality over modern wireless conveniences. If you play in a quiet room and don't mind a wired connection, it's a rare all-in-one device that can pull double-duty as a gaming headset and as an accurate music listening headset. I'd say that if you value music more than gaming, these are the headphones for you and they're priced aggressively if you think about the technology and other competitors in the market. If you're more of a gamer than an audiophile, you may prefer the "modern conveniences" of 2.4Ghz wireless, BT wireless, and other software-powered features. Strengths: Incredible 100mm planar magnetic drivers, spacious and accurate soundstage, premium build that remains comfortable despite its size, huge array of included connectors, operates perfectly without installing any software. Weaknesses: Expensive, wired-only connection, open-back design offers no noise isolation and leaks sound, lacks features like wireless or active noise cancelling, no storage pouch included for the cables. This could be a cable nightmare for some desktop setups.

As an audiophile, I can say that my experience with this ASUS ROG Kithara Gaming Headset has been great so far, more specifically in terms of sound quality and comfort. The unboxing experience was impressive. ASUS has well-designed packaging, in a way that not only adding a premium presentation upon unboxing but also adding great protection. The headset is securely housed in a foam base, and all the other accessories are neatly organized and well protected. Inside the box, there is a wide selection of cables and accessories, such as a dual 3.5 mm boom microphone cable with a detachable microphone, which includes inline controls for voice communication. There is also a braided balanced audio cable with interchangeable connectors. These interchangeable connectors are a standard 3.5 mm plug, a 6.3 mm plug commonly used with amplifiers, and a 4.4 mm balanced plug designed for high-end DACs and audiophile systems. In addition to a USB-C to dual 3.5 mm adapter, enabling the headset to connect to devices that only have a USB-C port while still supporting both audio output and microphone input. The USB-C adaptor has a label on each of the 3.5 ports indicating which is for mic and which is for audio, which is good. Also, there are two sets of velour ear cushions besides the default leatherette or hybrid fabric. Personally, I preferred and continued using the leatherette set for the comfort that I found during my experience. Right off the bat, this ROG Kithara is a premium gaming headset designed for those who value audiophile-level sound quality as well as a gaming-focused experience. To add a signature sound quality, ASUS collaborated with HiFiMAN to equip the headset with 100 mm planar magnetic drivers that give these headphones a high-end audiophile sound. This collaboration makes the Kithara stand out by blending the performance of audiophile headphones with the functionality of a gaming headset, rather than following the traditional gaming headset design. In addition to its open-back design, which allows air and sound to pass through the ear cups. However, this was my first experience using an open-back headset, as I usually prefer closed-back designs, but after using this Kithara for several days, my perspective changed. The open-back design provided me with a very comfortable experience during extended gaming sessions, besides its role in creating a larger, more natural soundstage, making the audio feel spacious and immersive. During my gaming, I was able to clearly identify the direction of footsteps, gunfire, and environmental sounds. That being said, these open-back headphones allow sound to leak out, meaning people sitting around me were able to hear what I was listening to, and I was able to hear the noise around me. I own an Xbox Series X, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and two gaming PCs, which allowed me to test this Kithara across several platforms. For both my PS5 and PC, I used the dual 3.5 mm boom microphone cable connected through the USB-C adapter, and overall, the setup worked well with clear audio and reliable microphone performance. However, one downside to this is that the USB-C adapter must be connected directly to the console rather than through the DualSense controller on PS5, which makes the setup a bit inconvenient in my case. Since my PS5 is connected to the TV and placed some distance away from my recliner chair. In terms of build quality and comfort, the ROG Kithara is constructed with premium materials with a solid, durable frame. The ear cushions are replaceable and comfy. My final words, the ASUS ROG Kithara is an excellent option for gamers who prioritize high-quality audio and immersive sound. Its audiophile-grade drivers, spacious soundstage, and premium build quality help it stands out in the gaming headset market. Also, the open-back design may not be ideal for noisy environments, but it remains a strong choice for users who want a headset that performs exceptionally well for both gaming and music listening.