Compare ASUS ROG Kithara vs Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II

Clarity, speed, detail, and natural presentation are the Kithara’s defining strengths across games, music, and media. Most listeners rate it above typical gaming headsets, though a minority finds the sound underwhelming or poorly suited to music.

The broad consensus favors rich, punchy, highly immersive sound with strong detail for games, music, and movies. Its stock bass and treble are not neutral, and a minority finds the result muddy, sharp, or inferior to cheaper alternatives.

There is no active noise cancellation. The open-back design is intentionally built for awareness rather than blocking the room.

ANC is unusually effective for a gaming headset, cutting steady hums, appliances, and even nearby construction. A few users report cabin pressure, seal-related rumble, wind weakness, or occasional artifacts.

There is no built-in virtual surround or spatial-audio processing. The natural open-back stage can still feel immersive, and external options such as Dolby Atmos may work well.

Dolby Atmos adds enjoyable height, distance, and environmental detail in supported games and movies. Competitive players may prefer native game audio because virtualization can add reverb or soften precise cues.

The extremely open cups provide little to no passive isolation. Household sounds, fans, conversations, and other room noise remain easy to hear.

The sculpted cushions create a useful passive seal that blocks a surprising amount of room noise before ANC is enabled. Cloth coverings and imperfect fit can still let voices and sound leakage through.

Channel matching and overall response consistency are repeatedly praised. The velour pads provide the more linear midrange, while the stock presentation stays close to a neutral studio-style target.

The default signature is intentionally V-shaped rather than neutral, emphasizing bass and upper treble while keeping most mids audible. Listeners seeking studio accuracy will need EQ and may still notice uneven low-end character.

Sound freely escapes the open earcups and can be audible to people nearby. A few users find leakage less severe than expected, but shared rooms remain a poor fit.

The breathable cloth cushions do not contain sound as effectively as denser leatherette pads, so some audio can escape at higher levels.

Bass is fast, clean, and easy to separate from the rest of the mix, but stock sub-bass and physical rumble divide listeners. A DAC or modest EQ can add satisfying impact without obvious muddiness.

The dual-driver design produces powerful, physical bass that makes games feel cinematic without always sacrificing detail. The stock tuning can be overly boomy, and extreme boost or ANC behavior may introduce distortion.

Most users hear footsteps, reloads, and distant movement with excellent precision, making the headset strong for competitive play. A smaller group reports merely average or even poor directional placement, so game and listener fit can affect results.

Most reviewers locate footsteps, gunfire, distance, and movement with excellent precision, especially in tactical shooters. Dense action, low-volume complaints, and a few negative customer experiences show performance is not flawless for everyone.

The open-back planar design creates a broad, airy, highly detailed stage that often feels more speaker-like than conventional gaming headsets. A few FPS users disagree sharply about its directional usefulness.

The closed-back headset creates a surprisingly broad, enveloping stage with strong depth and atmosphere. It still trails good open-back designs in openness, and one customer found it narrower than an older Turtle Beach model.

Hardware noise rejection works well in several tests without software processing, especially against steady background noise and keyboards. Other users report substantial room pickup, so placement and environment matter.

AI processing and noise-gate controls can reduce keyboards, chatter, and machinery without heavily damaging speech. It is not always aggressive enough, and some reviewers prefer it off because it flattens the voice.

A recurring complaint is that no carrying case or hard case is included, despite the large headset and extensive cable bundle.

The rigid fitted case is widely praised for protecting the headset, batteries, dock, mic, and accessories. It feels suitably premium, although its large footprint makes it less travel-friendly than it first appears.

Xbox support is a major limitation: audio can work through a controller, but microphone support is absent or requires awkward workarounds.

The Xbox version works natively with Microsoft consoles while retaining broad support for PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile. It is the preferred version for buyers who own multiple console families.

There is no dedicated game/chat mix control, which makes the physical control set feel sparse compared with feature-rich gaming headsets.

The dedicated mix wheel is convenient where supported and can be reassigned. Its function depends on the headset version and platform, and mobile control behavior was inconsistent for at least one tester.

The USB-C adapter adds convenient digital connectivity, but its power and quality are inconsistent; the included DAC can feel weak and power-hungry.

Certified 24-bit/96kHz playback gives the headset ample detail and headroom over compatible USB connections. Platform caps and subtle real-world differences mean the hi-res badge matters more to PC listeners than every console player.

The cups can rotate flat, but the large wired open-back design is desk-bound and poorly suited to commuting or travel.

The removable mic and restrained styling make the headset usable away from a desk. Nearly 400 grams, deep earcups, and an oversized case prevent it from being genuinely compact travel gear.

The planar drivers maintain very low distortion and tolerate aggressive volume or bass EQ cleanly, providing substantial headroom when properly driven.

The headset can play very loudly while staying impressively clean in many tests. At the extremes, boosted bass or sharp treble can become distorted, fatiguing, or painful.

The detachable MEMS mic is clear enough for chat, calls, and meetings, but opinions range from excellent to disappointing. Common complaints include nasal tone, plosive sensitivity, position dependence, and room pickup.

The detachable 9mm boom is one of the strongest headset microphones in this class, often described as clear, warm, and suitable for meetings or casual content creation. Some listeners hear thinness or sibilance, and a few launch units suffered severe bugs.

The box is unusually complete, with two pad sets, multiple cables, modular plugs, a USB-C adapter, and a unit-specific tuning card. Several buyers consider the bundle a major part of the value.

The package is generous, with a hard case, two batteries, charging transmitter, second dongle, detachable mic, and cable. Some buyers still wanted another transmitter or charging cable included at this price.

The large cups offer generous rotation and can sit naturally on the head or lay flat for packing.

The cups generally swivel and tilt far enough to sit flush or rest comfortably around the neck. One customer found the movement slow enough to make single-ear listening awkward.

The headset can slide or drop a notch when the clamp or suspension sliders are loose, especially on smaller heads. Properly adjusted replacement units may remain stable.

The main 2.4GHz link is usually rock-solid, reconnects quickly, and reaches through walls farther than most rivals. Isolated low-battery hiccups, Bluetooth pairing problems, and defective dongles temper that strength.

The suspension band offers broad sizing and can fit very large heads, but loose early units and slipping sliders are a repeated concern. Later replacement or retail units sometimes hold their position correctly.

The metal sliders hold their position securely but can require excessive force and are awkward to change while worn. Several users also need frequent repositioning or cannot size the headset down enough.

Console support is not fully plug-and-play: PlayStation mic use may require USB-C, controllers can sound underpowered, and Xbox microphone support is the biggest gap.

The Xbox model offers the broadest native compatibility, while the PC/PlayStation model cannot connect to Xbox. Game/chat mixing and certain codecs are also tied to the selected version, creating avoidable fine print.

The removable boom mic is useful when switching to music-only listening. Its cable-based design is practical, though balanced listening cannot be combined with the mic in some setups.

Removing the boom mic quickly converts the headset into a cleaner-looking pair of everyday headphones, while flip-to-mute is usually convenient. A few users prefer retractable designs or trigger mute accidentally when moving the boom.

Volume is highly source-dependent. Some devices drive it extremely loudly, while controllers and motherboard outputs may require the USB-C adapter or a dedicated DAC/amp.

Output ranges from extremely powerful on some PCs to unexpectedly quiet on PS5 or Bluetooth for several users. Coarse wheel increments and occasional control bugs make level adjustment less consistent than it should be.

Layering, detail retrieval, and frequency separation are major strengths. Busy game scenes, instruments, dialogue, and subtle environmental sounds remain easy to distinguish.

The dual drivers usually keep layered effects, music, and ambience distinct, even in busy shooters. Separation can become less convincing in chaotic battle-royale mixes or beside strong open-back and planar competitors.

The stock tuning favors clarity, speed, and competitive detail over heavy bass. Many enjoy it immediately, while others prefer a small low-shelf boost or find it better for gaming than music.

The built-in profiles provide quick tonal changes and several reviewers enjoy them. Bass-heavy or competitive modes can sound exaggerated or hollow, making custom EQ the more reliable option.

PC, PlayStation, Switch, phones, and DAC setups are broadly supported, but the required cable or adapter changes by device. Console microphone support is the main complication.

The Xbox version works across Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch, and mobile, making it the safest all-platform purchase. The PC/PlayStation version is similarly flexible except for its complete lack of Xbox support.

The swappable 3.5mm, 4.4mm, 6.3mm, dual-3.5mm, and USB-C options cover PCs, consoles, phones, DACs, and amps. The flexibility comes with more cables and setup complexity than a typical gaming headset.

CrossPlay switching, dual wireless audio, and optional transmitters make the headset exceptionally flexible across rooms and systems. Extra dongles cost more, only one 2.4GHz stream plays at a time, and some launch setups were unreliable.

The premium box, sound-signature certificate, and organized presentation make the unboxing feel special, though the large number of parts can initially feel overwhelming.

The presentation feels premium and carefully organized, matching the headset’s flagship positioning.

Treble is highly detailed and often cleaner than sharper planar rivals, but the tuning varies with pads and can sound bright, forward, restrained, or fatiguing depending on the listener.

Highs are crisp and reveal fine effects, but the stock tuning often pushes them too far. Sensitive listeners report sibilance or painful sharpness, which is usually reduced with EQ.

Midrange detail is generally clean and well separated, but pad choice changes the presentation. Velour sounds more linear, while some listeners hear vocals and instruments sitting slightly farther back.

Mids and vocals are generally detailed despite the strong bass, supporting both games and music well. The stock tuning can recess dialogue in dense scenes or become muddy before EQ correction.

The included USB-C adapter expands phone, laptop, Switch, PlayStation, and PC compatibility and supports high-resolution playback. It can add volume, but it is not consistently powerful enough to replace a dedicated DAC/amp.

USB-C supports charging and wired digital playback on compatible PC and PlayStation setups. Wired platform support and included cable types are limited enough that some users will need an adapter.

Both leatherette-mesh and velour pads are plush, roomy, and generally comfortable. Velour runs cooler, while a few users find the pads scratchy, thin, pressure-inducing, or insufficiently durable.

The angled memory-foam cushions are usually described as soft, breathable, plush, and glasses-friendly. A minority find the cloth scratchy or warm, and it isolates less completely than leatherette.

The roomy pads and forgiving planar bass work well with glasses, with little loss of low-end response from an imperfect seal.

The large cushions and ProSpecs relief channels are repeatedly praised for avoiding painful pressure on glasses arms. Even long-session glasses wearers generally report a comfortable fit.

Most buyers are enthusiastic about the clarity, comfort, and unusual audiophile-gaming blend, often calling it a favorite or endgame headset. Returns and low scores are concentrated around mic limitations, insecure fit, and quality-control failures.

The dominant view is that this is a flagship headset with exceptional audio, battery convenience, microphone quality, and platform flexibility. The premium price, polarized headband comfort, and early software bugs keep it from being universally safe.

The included USB-C adapter improves compatibility and often raises volume, but results vary by device and some users report limited power or inconsistent Windows behavior.

The included second transmitter is a major convenience for switching between separated systems without moving cables. Expansion units cost extra and have sometimes been unavailable, defective, or unrecognized by Swarm II.

Two pad sets are included and meaningfully change comfort and tonality. Velour is softer and smoother, while the hybrid set offers a tighter seal and stronger focus.

The stock pads can be removed with easy twist locks, simplifying replacement or reseating when the ANC seal is wrong.

This is a fully wired headset with no Bluetooth. Buyers who prioritize wireless freedom will need a different model.

Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio is excellent for calls, music, and gaming at once, with separate volume control. Pairing and call-volume bugs appear in some units, and this is not true multi-device Bluetooth multipoint.

The analog plug-and-play design requires no Armoury Crate or other app. That simplicity appeals to purists but removes built-in EQ, RGB, and surround controls.

Basic pairing and source switching are often instant and intuitive out of the box. Firmware updates, first-time CrossPlay configuration, and Swarm II detection caused serious friction for a notable minority.

The inline mute and volume controls are convenient, but the wheel can be overly sensitive and some users heard clicks or artifacts when toggling the mic.

The physical wheels and buttons are generally tactile, logically placed, and partly remappable. Some find the controls crowded, the volume steps too coarse, or individual functions hard to identify by touch.

Voice clarity is good for Discord, Teams, and ordinary calls, but it still sounds like a headset mic and is not a substitute for a dedicated streaming or podcast microphone.

Teams, Discord, party chat, and work calls usually sound clear and full through the boom mic. The integrated microphones are less dependable, and one customer experienced unusably low voice volume.

Although there is no dedicated app, the planar drivers respond extremely well to external EQ. Small bass adjustments can add substantial low-end weight without obvious distortion.

The onboard-saving 10-band EQ can tame the strong bass and treble or create game-specific profiles. It is effective, though some reviewers want finer bands, more presets, or a truly neutral starting point.

The included pads can be swapped, but the small proprietary clips feel fiddly and potentially fragile. Aftermarket choices are also limited by the mounting system.

The cushions use simple twist locks, making them straightforward to remove and reinstall without tools.

At around $299, many buyers see unusually strong audiophile sound, comfort, and accessories for the price. Others consider it too expensive once a DAC/amp is added or when compared with more convenient wireless headsets.

At about $350, the headset is undeniably expensive, but enthusiasts often see the money in its audio, ANC, mic, batteries, case, and connectivity. Casual players and comfort-sensitive buyers can obtain solid results for much less.

The oversized frame works especially well for large heads and glasses, but smaller heads may struggle to achieve a secure fit. The low clamp can cause slipping even when the acoustic seal remains forgiving.

The contoured pads and swiveling yokes usually form a secure ANC-friendly seal across varied head shapes. Small heads, unusually large heads, and seal-sensitive users report slipping, pressure, or vacuum sensations.

The metal-heavy frame, hinges, and premium finish impress most users, but several customers report serious quality-control failures such as dead drivers, popping, and defective adapters.

Most users describe a premium, sturdy mix of metal, soft-touch plastic, fabric, and tactile controls that withstands normal knocks well. Concerns center mainly on the thin suspension mesh and isolated durability complaints.

Most users find the suspension headband and huge pads exceptionally comfortable for multi-hour sessions. Comfort becomes less reliable on smaller heads or for those sensitive to the 420-gram weight.

Soft sculpted cushions and good weight distribution let many reviewers wear the headset for full workdays or marathon gaming. Others develop top-of-head pain within an hour or two, making long-session comfort the product’s most divisive trait.

The restrained metal-and-open-grille styling looks premium and mature to many buyers, though the tall frame and oversized cups can look awkward or comically large on smaller heads.

The understated metal-and-fabric design looks far more luxurious and less overtly gamer-like than earlier Turtle Beach headsets. Its large earcups remain bulky, but most reviewers are comfortable wearing it in public.

The 420-gram build is objectively heavy, yet the suspension strap distributes it well for many users. Others feel top pressure, jaw pressure, or fatigue, especially when the fit is loose.

At roughly 382–396 grams, the headset is objectively heavy, though good cushions and distribution make it feel manageable for many. Others develop head or neck discomfort quickly because the narrow mesh carries too much load.

Clamp is relaxed and comfortable for many large-headed users, but it is often too weak for smaller heads and can let the headset slide during movement.

Clamp is comfortable or moderate for many heads and helps maintain a reliable seal. Others experience initial tightness, vacuum-like pressure, or concentrated discomfort, so fit is highly head-shape dependent.

The metal headband and hinges usually feel robust, yet broader quality-control failures make long-term confidence uneven.

The frame feels robust overall, but one owner added a headband accessory out of concern that the suspension structure might deteriorate over time.

The Android version of Swarm II mirrors the useful PC controls, letting players adjust headset settings from a phone while using another gaming source.

The modular audiophile cable feels premium and the connection options are extensive. The mic cable draws more criticism for feeling cheaper, being cumbersome, or running slightly short.

The mic cable is easy to remove and exchange for the dedicated listening cable, making it simple to move between gaming and music setups.

The built-in beamforming mics are convenient for calls when the boom is removed and provide more discreet public use. They pick up more room noise, sound less polished, and were buggy or inaccessible for some reviewers.

LDAC can provide higher-quality Bluetooth listening, but support is restricted to the PC/PlayStation version rather than the broadly compatible Xbox model.

Only the battery-side faceplate is removable, so the design does not meaningfully support interchangeable cosmetic plates or broad aftermarket customization.

Mic monitoring is useful for controlling speaking volume, but current implementation is inconsistent. It can be very quiet, fail to work as expected, or become unavailable when ANC is active.

Soft-touch surfaces and ridged metal plates readily show oils, dust, and trapped debris, although fingerprints generally wipe away without much effort.

Transparency mode is useful for hearing family, calls, or surroundings without removing the headset, and its level can be adjusted in the app. On-headset mode control is less flexible than some users expect.

The 2.4GHz connection and low-latency Bluetooth options produce effectively immediate game audio, with multiple reviewers reporting no perceptible lag.

Swarm II exposes ANC, microphone controls, button mapping, EQ, and device settings on PC and mobile. Its breadth is a strength, but several launch-period users encountered crashes, stalled updates, or transmitter-detection failures.

Two roughly 40-hour removable batteries make battery anxiety almost disappear, with reported runtime ranging from about 30 to 50 hours per pack. The spare is normally charged and ready before the active one is depleted.

The compact transmitter dock keeps the spare battery charged and ejects it cleanly for a seconds-long swap. This rotation gives desk users nearly uninterrupted wireless operation.

Support for modern Bluetooth codecs such as LC3+ and LDAC can deliver high-quality wireless streams on compatible devices, though availability varies by headset version.

The headset mixes one Bluetooth source with one 2.4GHz source, but it does not provide true Bluetooth multipoint. Some users report device-priority confusion or call-volume failures when multiple connections are involved.

An incorrectly seated earpad can cause unwanted ANC noise or rumble. Reinstalling and fully twisting the pad into place resolved the issue in testing.

Superhuman Hearing can make footsteps and gunfire more obvious in tactical shooters. Its heavy rebalancing often hollows out music, dialogue, and other effects, so many prefer a custom EQ instead.