The ASUS ROG Kithara is a gaming headset built for audiophiles
The ASUS ROG Kithara is here, and it’s the company’s first gaming headset developed with HiFiMan. Priced at $299, the wired open-back headset employs 100mm planar magnetic drivers, the kind we typically only see in premium audiophile headphones. Here’s everything you need to know about this high-end gaming headset.
HiFiMan 100mm planar magnetic drivers
The Kithara’s audio foundation features ROG-tuned HIFIMAN 100mm planar magnetic drivers with Neo Supernano diaphragm and Stealth Magnets technology. The drivers deliver an 8Hz to 55kHz frequency response with 16-ohm impedance and total harmonic distortion below 0.03% at 1kHz/94dB, which is impressive for a gaming headset.
The Neo Supernano diaphragm uses nanoscale construction for faster response and more uniform movement than conventional diaphragms. Stealth Magnets maximize acoustic transparency by reducing interference. ASUS refined the tuning through listening tests with competitive gamers and audiophiles alike, aiming for a balanced sound signature with enhanced bass for clearer battlefield audio cues.
The HiFiMan planar magnetic drivers deliver accurate sound reproduction.
The planar magnetic design moves uniformly across its entire surface rather than from a single point, providing a wide frequency extension with minimal distortion. The speed at which drivers reproduce sudden sounds should allow critical audio cues, such as footsteps and weapon reloads, to remain well-defined. Each driver pair undergoes rigorous matching to ensure consistent frequency response between channels for accurate stereo imaging.
Open-back architecture for spatial audio
The Kithara’s open-back earcup design fundamentally changes how the headset reproduces audio compared to traditional closed-back gaming headsets. The architecture allows sound waves to pass through freely instead of bouncing around inside enclosed earcups, which can cause unwanted reflections and resonances. This improves spatial depth and width while enhancing separation across the frequency range, preventing low frequencies from masking critical cues like footsteps.
ASUS conducted detailed acoustic evaluations during development, testing angled textures, internal structures, and venting ratios in collaboration with HifiMan engineers to optimize spatial awareness. The trade-off for improved immersiveness is, of course, the absence of noise isolation—environmental sounds enter freely and audio leaks out to the surrounding environment, making the headset unsuitable for noisy spaces.
Full-band MEMS boom microphone
The defining feature that separates the Kithara from other planar magnetic headphones is the inclusion of the removable boom mic. Unlike traditional audiophile headphones that lack integrated microphones, the Kithara features a full-band MEMS boom microphone with 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response—matching the full bandwidth of human hearing—along with 74dB signal-to-noise ratio and total harmonic distortion below 0.1%. This significantly outperforms typical condenser microphones found in gaming headsets (100 Hz-10kHz, below 65dB SNR), offering more natural voice reproduction and clearer sound with minimal background noise.
You can chat in-game without needing to buy an external microphone.
The microphone cable uses separate audio and microphone inputs via dual 3.5mm plugs. This dedicated, separate wiring architecture effectively eliminates crosstalk that occurs in almost all analog headsets when audio and microphone signals share the same ground on 3.5mm TRRS cables. The separation ensures clean, uninterrupted communication without game audio bleeding into voice chat. The unidirectional (super-cardioid) boom features in-line mute and volume controls, with a detachable design so you can remove it when not needed.
Balanced cable with swappable plugs
The Kithara ships with a comprehensive cable system designed for versatile use across audiophile and gaming setups. The package includes a 1.8m balanced headphone cable with swappable plugs: 4.4mm balanced, plus 3.5mm and 6.3mm single-ended for compatibility with DACs, amplifiers, and PCs. A 1.8m dual-3.5mm boom microphone cable and USB-C to dual-3.5mm adapter provide broad compatibility with laptops, consoles, and mobile devices.
The Kithara comes with a variety of cable connection options.
The 4.4mm balanced connection theoretically enables higher output power with lower noise and crosstalk for cleaner, more detailed audio. Both earcups feature 3.5mm jacks on left and right sides, allowing users to connect their preferred cables for customized sound. Connection options support PCs (dual 3.5mm or USB-C), notebooks and mobile phones (USB-C), PlayStation and Switch consoles (USB-C), and DAC/amplifier setups (dual 3.5mm with microphone to PC and audio to DAC).
Premium comfort and build
Weighing 420 grams, the Kithara employs multiple design elements to optimize comfort during extended gaming and listening sessions. The headset features a multi-layer headband pad with three-layer construction—leatherette exterior, breathable mesh middle layer, and memory foam—to provide lasting comfort and reduce pressure. The extended headband length enhances stability and weight distribution, minimizing lower-cheek pressure over long play sessions. An aluminum hinge with 8-level adjustment adapts the fit to different head shapes and sizes.
ASUS includes two ear cushion types to tailor comfort and acoustic performance. The leatherette-with-mesh-fabric pads are built for durability, resisting cracking and peeling with daily use. The smooth mesh-fabric surface enhances airflow to keep users cool during long sessions. The denser material provides a snug fit and better seal, improving isolation and preventing bass frequencies from leaking. You also get velour pads, which offer a softer, skin-friendly surface with a slightly warmer sound. Each earpad is shaped to distribute pressure evenly around the ear for enhanced long-session comfort.
The two included ear pad options are designed for long gaming sessions.
The materials passed a ton of durability testing, including the Jungle test (five weeks at 95% humidity and 70°C, equivalent to five years of general use) and 7,000 abrasion cycles. The open-back design enhances airflow and reduces listening fatigue. Large oval earcups fit various ear shapes and sizes, while the refined earcup angle balances clamping force and minimizes jaw pressure. A metal plate with diamond-cut craftsmanship on the earcup exterior completes the premium ROG aesthetic.
The ROG Kithara are available for $299. At that price, the Kithara positions itself in the same category as other high-end gaming headsets, though it takes a fundamentally different approach with its wired, open-back design prioritizing audio quality over features.
