Asus unveils ROG Kithara gaming headset with 100mm planar drivers and HIFIMAN tuning

Asus is breaking away from the usual gaming headset formula with the announcement of the ROG Kithara – a model that puts sound quality over flashy RGB lighting or wireless features. To achieve this, Asus teamed up with HIFIMAN, a brand highly respected in the audiophile community.

The ROG Kithara is an open-back headset equipped with massive 100mm planar magnetic drivers, a rarity in the gaming world where dynamic drivers dominate. Priced at $299, it’s clearly aimed at enthusiasts rather than the mainstream gamer.

Its open-back design offers a wider, more natural soundstage, which is great for competitive gaming where pinpointing footsteps and other audio cues is crucial. The tradeoff, though, is zero noise isolation.

Asus claims the headset covers a frequency range from 8 Hz to 55 kHz – extending way beyond human hearing. It’s expected to offer a balanced sound profile with clear separation between lows, mids, and highs, avoiding the exaggerated bass that often muddies game audio detail.

Unlike most gaming headsets, the ROG Kithara supports a 4.4mm balanced connection, along with standard 3.5mm and 6.3mm jacks. It also comes with a USB-C adapter. The detachable mic uses MEMS technology and operates within the usual 20 Hz to 20 kHz range.

Build-wise, the headset incorporates metal in the hinges and headband mounts. It includes extra ear cushions, and weighs around 420 grams – typical for planar designs but something to consider for long gaming sessions in terms of comfort.

Notably, the ROG Kithara forgoes wireless connectivity, active noise cancellation, and any decorative lighting. Fans of classic ROG aesthetics might find this underwhelming, but the minimalist approach seems very much intentional.

In the end, the ROG Kithara feels like a hybrid between audiophile headphones and a pro gaming headset, marking an interesting new direction for Asus’s Republic of Gamers lineup.