ASUS ROG Kithara Gaming Headset Review @ ThinkComputers
ThinkComputers finds the ASUS ROG Kithara Gaming Headset to deliver outstanding audio clarity that stands out even among high-end gaming headsets. Music and movies benefit the most from its open-back design, with sound described as crisp, clean, and highly detailed, revealing nuances that are often lost on typical gaming-focused headsets. This sense of openness and clarity translates especially well to story-driven and open-world games, where immersion, atmosphere, and environmental detail matter more than precise positional cues. In titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the headset enhances the overall experience by pulling the player deeper into the game world through its rich and natural sound presentation.
"Earlier this year at CES 2026 ASUS was really excited about their new ROG Kithara gaming headset. They told us that it was a collab with HiFiMan and that the headset makes use of 100mm planar magnetic drivers. Not being an audiophile all of these was like a foreign language to me. I did however had a change to actually test these headphones at the ASUS booth and I was quite impressed. Fast forward about a month and I've been using this gaming headset for a couple of weeks now as my daily driver, not only for gaming but listening to music and watching media on my PC. In the review we are going to see if someone who isn't an audiophile can tell the difference between this headset and a more standard gaming headset. Let's jump in!"
When it comes to competitive gaming, particularly fast-paced FPS titles, the Kithara is more specialized. While positional audio is present, it does not match the pinpoint accuracy offered by closed-back headsets with surround or spatial audio processing, which remain better suited for competitive shooters. The lack of dedicated software support also limits fine-tuning options such as FPS-focused EQ profiles, which may be a drawback for players who like to tailor audio to specific genres. The open-back design further means external noise can be heard and some sound leakage is unavoidable, although microphone performance remains unaffected. Ultimately, ThinkComputers positions the ROG Kithara as a premium wired headset best suited for casual gamers, single-player enthusiasts, and users who value exceptional sound clarity for games, music, and movies, earning it an 8 out of 10 score despite its higher price point.
Related Web URL: https://thinkcomputers.org/asus-rog-kithara-gaming...
