Asus ROG Kithara Review: A Large Gaming Headset With Even Larger Sound

If there’s one factor this previous 12 months has taught me about gaming {hardware}, it’s that headsets are going premium. Sony has its Inzone H9 II, which matches massive on hi-fi sound and ANC but in addition has an MSRP of $350 to match. Then there are entrants from MetalSeries, just like the Arctis Nova Elite, which prices an eye-watering $600 and justifies that value (or makes an attempt to) with nice sound and a particular dock that permits you to combine audio streams collectively and pair with a number of gadgets directly.

In January, Asus ROG additionally determined to hop on board the super-premium headset practice with the Asus ROG Kithara, a wired gaming headset completed in collaboration with hi-fi audio model HiFiman. I lastly obtained round to making an attempt Asus ROG’s premium headset out, and the excellent news is that the Kithara is likely one of the best-sounding headsets I’ve used previously 12 months. The not-so-good information (or a part of it) is what I’m about to inform you subsequent.

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Better begin saving up now

The Kithara is $299, and there’s no getting round it: that’s some huge cash to spend on a gaming headset. Sure, it’s nonetheless lower than the 2 aforementioned gaming headsets from Sony and MetalSeries, however that’s nonetheless the worth of an Xbox Series S—or it was once earlier than RAMageddon.

If you will get previous the sticker shock, the silver lining is that the emphasis on hi-fi audio pays off. The Kithara sounds implausible. I attempted this headset out on a number of video games and some completely different platforms, and it carried out properly throughout all of them. In my first check, enjoying Fortnite on my associate’s Asus gaming laptop computer, the outcomes have been instantly noticeable. Gunfire sounded virtually weirdly sensible and nuanced, whereas footfalls and different environmental noises had a noticeable sense of area. With the Kithara on my head, there was by no means any query about what course noise was coming from, which is sweet for immersion but in addition for enjoying your finest recreation.

Similarly, whereas enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 on my Xbox Series S, the sense of area was palpable. I might inform what course in-game music was emanating from, and dialogue panned properly relying on the place my character’s head was pointed within the recreation. I’m not normally the kind of individual to placed on a gaming headset if I don’t want the microphone for on-line co-op, however I might see myself utilizing the Kithara for informal solo gaming.

I additionally used the Kithara to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on my Nintendo Switch, and whereas there wasn’t a lot wanted for the 3D sense of area right here, it was nonetheless good to play via a gaming headset that sounds as clear and nuanced because the Kithara.

While I noticed some folks complaining concerning the quantity output of the Kithara, I didn’t discover the headset to be missing. It may very well be a little bit bit louder, I suppose, however 80% quantity on my laptop computer, or Xbox, or the Nintendo Switch felt loads loud to me. If you’re in a desktop PC scenario the place there are many obnoxious followers blowing, although, I suppose issues may very well be completely different, so there’s an opportunity you’ll find yourself desirous to pair the Kithara with a DAC.

The Kithara’s nice soundstage and constancy, by the best way, are due largely to the drivers. On the Kithara, you’ll discover 100mm planar magnetic drivers from HiFiMan, that are most frequently utilized in hi-fi headphones that an audiophile would possibly purchase. I used to be curious how that audiophile strategy would translate to a gaming headset, and I don’t suppose something was misplaced within the change of surroundings. Another hi-fi audio contact is the open-back design, which means the surface of the headset isn’t totally enclosed—there’s a steel grate and a skinny layer of froth separating your ears from the world.

Personally, I’m a giant fan of open-back designs on gaming headsets specifically. Not solely are they extra breathable, however additionally they enable you to hear your individual voice higher. I personally hate listening to myself speak when my ears are blocked since my voice reverberates in my very own head however isn’t totally captured by my ears—it’s simply bizarre. The Kithara, nonetheless, mitigates that weirdness and does so with out letting too a lot environmental noise in. Another perk is that you would be able to really hear when folks tackle you. I used to be enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 at dwelling when my associate stated one thing to me, and I might hear what she needed to say instantly.

Obviously, for individuals who are on the lookout for energetic noise cancellation (ANC), this gained’t be a perk because the open-back nature precludes any type of noise cancellation, however for everybody else, it gained’t matter a lot.

Delivering sound to your ears is just half the battle of a gaming headset, although. You additionally must take note of how good the microphone is for delivering your voice to others. I’m pleased to report that, within the Kithara’s case, the microphone high quality is simply nearly as good as its sound. After a spherical of Fortnite, my teammate rated my audio high quality a 9/10 when it comes to readability and nuance, which isn’t stunning given the truth that Asus ROG opted for a MEMS growth mic, which makes it nice for beamforming—zeroing in on a voice—for instance, and in addition blocking out environmental noise.

Obviously, how your vocals sound will depend upon how different individuals are listening or what methodology they’re utilizing to play video games (cloud gaming drastically degrades audio high quality, as an illustration), but it surely’s nonetheless good to have a microphone that offers your voice a combating likelihood even in less-than-ideal eventualities.

An enormous boy gaming headset

You ought to know that the worth isn’t the one draw back of the Kithara—there’s additionally the comfort issue. Probably the most important knock towards the Kithara (I’m talking actually) is the dimensions. This gaming headset is gigantic. Just take a look at it draped round my neck like some sort of wild animal. As ridiculous because it seems on my neck, it seems doubly as ridiculous on my head.

In order to get it to suit, I needed to alter the dimensions to its smallest doable possibility, too, which creates a whole lot of adverse area arching excessive of my head. Don’t get me unsuitable, the Kithara continues to be snug. I discovered the earpads soft, and I like that they’re detachable in case they put on out otherwise you wish to clear them. And even regardless of the load—a formidable 420g—this headset felt fairly good on my head. Still, there’s no denying that the Kithara is an absolute unit, so for those who’re planning on gaming in a scenario the place seems actually matter, it is best to hold measurement in thoughts.

Another factor to notice is that this can be a wired gaming headset, which means you will should be okay utilizing cables—every kind. In the field, there are two completely different cables. There’s one which has the growth mic hooked up to it and is a break up 3.5mm connection on the backside in addition to a braided 3.5mm cable and not using a growth mic hooked up. Those ends might theoretically be hooked right into a desktop PC with separate jacks for sound and a microphone, however most of the time you’re going to have to make use of an included dongle that converts each right into a single USB-C. With the USB-C dongle hooked up, you’ll be able to connect with most gadgets, together with consoles just like the PS5 or a Nintendo Switch, in addition to a laptop computer, gaming handheld, or desktop PC.

One main factor to notice for those who’re an Xbox proprietor is that the Kithara shouldn’t be natively appropriate. You can use the three.5mm cable with out the growth mic hooked up to hook into the Xbox controller, for instance, however you can not use the cable with the microphone since neither the Xbox Series S nor the Series X has a USB-C connection. As for PS5 and the Nintendo Switch, you can join utilizing the USB-C dongle with the growth mic cable, however you’ll should go straight into the console and never via the controller. In the Switch’s case, meaning you’ll be able to’t cost the console whilst you have the Kithara related, which is a little bit of a bummer.

That’s all to say that the cables do complicate issues a bit, although Asus ROG does embrace a number of methods to attach relying in your desire. In addition to the USB-C dongle, there’s a 4.4mm balanced plug, a quarter-inch adapter like the type you’d use to hook into an audio interface, and a extra frequent 3.5mm adapter. Those might be pushed onto the top of the braided 3.5mm cable after which screwed on.

Overall, the Kithara feels sturdy as hell from a construct high quality perspective. There’s an aluminum body and steel accents on the outer ear the place the grate is, and there’s even a separate set of earpads included. The default is a “leatherette with fabric,” that are apparently extra centered on one of the best sound signature, however these might be swapped out for an included “velour” pair that’s a bit softer to the contact. This is a headset that feels prefer it’s value a number of hundred {dollars}.

Cost vs. comfort

The fundamentals of the Asus ROG Kithara gaming headset are there. They sound nice—nuanced, spatial, correct, and clear—even when the quantity isn’t tremendous excessive. That efficiency extends to the microphone, too, which additionally delivers high-quality, clear audio. Where the Kithara loses factors, although, is comfort.

Messing round with wires isn’t for everybody, even when wired audio does ship the absolute best sound, and having to make use of so many various cables and adapters is objectively sort of annoying. The measurement of this gaming headset doesn’t precisely assist the typically cumbersome expertise of utilizing it, both.

Whether the Kithara feels value it to you’ll rely in your setup and your tolerance for wires and heft, however for those who’re okay screwing round with that stuff, Asus ROG undoubtedly delivers on its promise of hi-fi audio. Don’t get me unsuitable, $299 continues to be some huge cash to spend on a gaming headset, however typically you do really get what you pay for, and on this case you’d be paying for sound that even an audiophile can’t flip their nostril up at.