Compare Asus ROG Cetra Open vs SoundPEATS Clip1

Sound quality is good for many gaming-focused users, especially for dialogue and positional cues, but it is not a universal win. Some reviewers hear clean, detailed audio while others describe the presentation as thin, compressed, or harsh.

Reviewers overwhelmingly say the Clip1 sounds unusually good for an open-ear clip-on, with clear, lively tuning and detail that often rivals pricier models. The open design still imposes limits in noisy places and at the deepest bass frequencies.

Bass is the most divisive part of the tuning. Phantom Bass can add useful punch, but many reviewers still hear weak sub-bass or thin impact compared with sealed earbuds, while a smaller group finds the low end surprisingly satisfying.

Bass is better than many reviewers expected from an open-ear design, especially with Dynamic EQ, with punchy mid-bass and useful warmth. Deep sub-bass remains the main limitation, and several reviewers say sealed earbuds still hit much harder.

Immersion Mode only softens steady background noise and is nowhere near full ANC. A few users notice a small benefit, but most reviewers treat noise reduction as secondary to the open-ear design.

There is no listening ANC, and reviewers who need isolation consider that a meaningful limitation. The Clip1 is better suited to situations where hearing the environment is desirable.

Default tuning was described as reasonably clean and usable, though one reviewer still preferred the flatter EQ setting.

One detailed review found the tuning notably balanced, with no frequency range dominating the mix and a natural overall presentation.

Passive isolation is essentially nonexistent by design. That is useful for awareness, but it makes noisy environments and fully immersive gaming poor fits.

Passive isolation is intentionally weak because nothing seals the ear canal. That is excellent for awareness, but external noise readily competes with music in loud environments.

Leakage is better controlled than some open-ear designs, though nearby people may hear faint audio in quiet rooms or at higher volumes.

Leakage depends heavily on volume. One reviewer found colleagues could not hear a podcast at about 75%, while others heard noticeable leakage and said maximum volume was audible to people nearby.

Low-latency gaming is one of the clearest strengths. The 2.4GHz dongle repeatedly delivers near-wired responsiveness and excellent sync for shooters, rhythm games, handhelds, and console play.

Most reviewers found video and gaming sync good, especially with Game Mode, but Android video playback was problematic in one review and another still detected residual gaming lag.

The open design generally creates a spacious presentation, with several reviewers praising the wide soundstage and stereo image.

The Clip1 usually sounds open and spacious, with Dolby Audio adding extra width for movies and games. Some reviewers found the stage more tall than wide or relatively two-dimensional compared with pricier open-ear models.

Positional performance is strong for games, especially footsteps and directional cues. A few tests find rear localization or Dolby Atmos rendering less convincing.

Dolby Audio can add width, depth, and immersion, especially for movies and games. Music results are more subjective, with some reviewers loving the added space and others hearing little benefit or preferring it off.

Reliability is the biggest technical concern. Multiple customer reviews report disconnects, one-sided audio, distortion, failed updates, beeping, or erratic behavior, although some users find later firmware dramatically improves performance.

Software stability is the weakest technical area in a handful of reviews, with wireless hiccups, an early mono/channel issue, Dolby crashes, and occasional dropouts. Other reviewers had stable connections, suggesting firmware version and environment matter.

Noise suppression works well in many tests, keeping speech understandable while reducing fans, background media, and ambient chatter.

AeroVoice and environmental noise reduction usually keep speech intelligible around traffic, wind, and steady background noise. Strong wind is the main exception reported by some reviewers.

At high levels, clarity can break down with sharp treble or bass distortion. The earbuds have plenty of headroom, but pushing them hard is not their best use.

One reviewer found very little distortion even above 75% volume, suggesting the drivers stay clean when pushed hard.

Treble is another polarizing area. Some reviewers praise crisp detail, but many hear excessive brightness, sibilance, or piercing highs at louder levels.

Treble is generally crisp, airy, and detailed without becoming harsh or fatiguing. A few reviewers found the top end slightly restrained or bright at higher volumes, but the consensus is favorable.

Presets and Phantom Bass can improve the listening experience, but results vary. Some users call Phantom Bass essential, while others find presets subtle or dislike the default communication profile.

The default preset was criticized for underselling the hardware; one reviewer found the Clip1 noticeably better after changing the EQ.

One video describes the controls as responsive and intuitive, giving them a very positive usability assessment.

Touch controls are mixed. Some reviewers found them fast and reliable, while others reported oversensitivity, slow or ambiguous taps, accidental commands, or difficulty with triple-tap timing.

Android use is generally workable, though one test still found the volume curve aggressive. The earbuds remain usable on Android without the sharper low-volume problem being quite as severe as on iOS.

Settings carried cleanly from an iPhone to a OnePlus phone in one review, showing smooth Android use and preserved customization.

The built-in microphones are considered decent for an earbud design, especially for casual chat rather than broadcast-quality recording.

The built-in microphone performed very well on phone calls in one hands-on test, supporting the broader positive call-quality consensus.

The dongle works across a wide range of PCs, handhelds, phones, and consoles, but platform-specific quirks appear on Steam Deck, Mac, and PS5 in some reviews.

One reviewer reported stable, consistent operation for Apple users while other reviews used Android, laptops, and tablets successfully, supporting broad everyday compatibility.

Overall opinion is polarized but leans positive for the right niche. Fans love the comfort, awareness, and gaming responsiveness, while critics are pushed away by price, sound compromises, or software instability.

Overall sentiment is exceptionally positive, with many reviewers adopting the Clip1 for daily use or calling it one of the best open-ear values they have tried. Complaints center on the case, controls, isolation, and fit quirks rather than the core experience.

Game-audio separation is consistently strong. Reviewers can distinguish footsteps, dialogue, and competing sounds clearly enough for competitive play.

Separation is consistently excellent for the form factor, with reviewers easily following guitars, vocals, and individual instruments. LDAC often improves the sense of space and separation further.

Wear detection is a useful convenience, automatically stopping playback when the earbuds are removed.

Wear detection and related sensors are usually reliable and convenient, automatically pausing and resuming playback. A few reviewers found detection hit-or-miss or encountered accidental behavior.

The case draws mixed reactions. Some owners like its quality and dongle storage, but many reviewers criticize its bulky size, plasticky feel, or missing premium touches.

The case draws some of the most consistent criticism: several reviewers call it cheap, plasticky, slippery, flimsy, or awkward to open. Others like its finish, charging behavior, and easy bud placement, so opinions are mixed.

Portability is a recurring weakness because the charging case is unusually large and thick. Several reviewers say it is barely pocketable or not pocket-friendly at all.

The earbuds themselves are tiny, but the charging case is a recurring portability complaint. Several reviewers call it bulky, chunky, or larger than rival earbud cases.

The dongle and charging cable are useful additions, while the reflective neck strap is more mixed because some find it stiff or uncomfortable.

The package is basic and typical for clip-ons, with little beyond the case, cable, documentation, and occasional stickers. One reviewer judged the contents about average rather than generous.

Mids are usually a strength, with clear dialogue, vocals, and footsteps. A few reviewers hear lower-mid thinness, but speech intelligibility remains strong.

Vocals and mids are a major strength, repeatedly described as clear, natural, forward, and well defined. A few reviews note slight recession or occasional muffling when positioning is off.

Glasses compatibility is consistently excellent, with thin hooks and low pressure working well alongside frames. One expert also found the fit comfortable with hats and sunglasses.

The clip design works especially well with glasses, masks, helmets, and even hearing aids in the reported use cases. Reviewers consistently found it avoids the pressure conflicts common with over-ear hooks.

The earbuds get very loud, but the volume curve is uneven. Several reviewers complain that even low settings are too loud, while others appreciate the strong headroom.

Volume is one of the more divided areas: some reviewers found it plenty loud, while others said it cannot overcome traffic or crowded environments. Buyers who listen loudly outdoors are the most likely to be dissatisfied.

Physical fit is highly secure for most users. The hooks stay put during running, workouts, and active movement, though a few ear shapes struggle with fit.

The secure fit is another major strength: reviewers ran, jumped, exercised, and shook their heads without the buds falling off. Positioning can be fussier for some ear shapes, but once set they usually stay put.

IPX5 earbud protection is viewed as well suited to workouts, sweat, and light rain, supporting the product’s gaming-and-fitness crossover use.

IPX5 protection is considered well suited to workouts, sweat, light rain, and outdoor use. Reviewers consistently treat it as practical protection, while noting the earbuds should not be submerged.

Situational awareness is nearly universally praised. Reviewers can hear conversations, doorbells, traffic, children, and room activity without removing the earbuds.

Situational awareness is a defining success: reviewers can hear traffic, coworkers, family, and outdoor surroundings while listening. That makes the Clip1 excellent for running and office use, but less suitable when isolation is the goal.

The open-ear effect was judged more natural and effective for hearing surroundings than typical electronic transparency modes.

The open-ear fit acts like a natural transparency mode, letting outside sound through without electronic processing. Reviewers who prioritize awareness strongly value this behavior.

USB-C implementation is excellent where discussed, particularly the case-friendly dongle plug and passthrough charging that keeps handhelds or phones powered.

USB-C charging is straightforward and quick, with one reviewer specifically praising how rapidly the earbuds and case charge.

Price is the most consistent purchasing objection. Even positive reviewers often call the $230 class price steep, and several experts say cheaper gaming earbuds or headsets offer better overall value.

Value is one of the strongest points of agreement. Reviewers repeatedly say the Clip1 competes with much more expensive open-ear earbuds while delivering premium features around the $50-$70 range.

AAC and SBC are considered adequate for the gaming-focused use case, though one expert would have preferred higher-bandwidth codec options.

The codec selection is unusually broad for the price, giving buyers more high-quality wireless options than expected from budget clip-ons.

Multipoint is excellent when it works, with fast switching and useful dual-device behavior. Several reviews, however, criticize unpredictable switching or the lack of simultaneous audio in certain setups.

Multipoint usually switches smoothly between two devices and is useful for phone-and-computer workflows. A small number of reviewers saw awkward source switching, and LDAC cannot be used at the same time.

Setup experiences vary sharply. Some users get simple plug-and-play operation, while others encounter hidden apps, multiple utilities, web-only controls, or convoluted firmware update steps.

Initial Bluetooth setup was described as easy, and the companion app recognized the earbuds without much friction after pairing.

Physical buttons are easy to find and tactile, but the default multi-press scheme is contentious. Four presses for volume and three presses for mute or assistant functions feel unnecessarily cumbersome to several reviewers.

The tap-based control scheme works for basic playback, but volume adjustment is a recurring usability complaint. Reviewers often wanted simpler volume gestures or the tactile certainty of physical buttons.

Bluetooth works well for ordinary listening in several reviews, but reliability is inconsistent. Some owners report slow pairing, disconnects, or worse sound than the 2.4GHz dongle.

Pairing is typically fast and stable, with good everyday range and quick reconnection. A few stutters appear in congested wireless areas or through floors and body obstruction.

Gear Link is polarizing: several reviewers love the browser/mobile flexibility and deep controls, while others find it buggy, hidden, web-dependent, or awkward during firmware setup.

The PeatsAudio app is powerful but inconsistent across reviewers. Some praise its clean layout and reliable customization, while others call it basic, unpolished, registration-heavy, or buggy.

Mic quality is mixed but generally usable. Many reviewers find voice chat clear and good for earbuds, while several customers report thin, robotic, or poor-sounding voice transmission.

Call quality is generally above average for an open-ear design, with many reviewers reporting clear voices indoors and usable outdoor calls. Performance can dip in strong wind or noisy situations, and one reviewer found the mic weak.

Manual voice-assistant activation via a triple press was viewed as redundant and not a good use of the control scheme.

Siri support is a notable omission for Apple users who rely on hands-free message reading or voice commands. Reviewers otherwise viewed the limitation as understandable at the price.

The EQ is highly useful and often materially improves the sound. Several reviewers say tuning or Phantom Bass turns a mediocre out-of-box presentation into something much better.

EQ flexibility is a major strength, with presets, manual multi-band adjustment, Adaptive EQ, and Dynamic EQ giving users meaningful control. Dynamic EQ in particular often improves bass and overall balance.

The styling splits opinion. Some like the flashy gaming look and RGB accents, while others call the buds chunky, angular, oversized, or unattractive.

The earbuds are widely praised as refined, modern, low-profile, and more jewelry-like than many budget clip-ons. The case styling is less universally admired.

The earbuds themselves are generally seen as solid or premium, but impressions are less consistent around the plastics. Several reviewers think the materials feel good, while others say parts of the package feel cheaper than the price suggests.

The earbuds generally feel sturdy and durable despite their low weight, with the flexible N-Flex arch inspiring confidence. The charging case often feels less premium than the buds themselves.

Comfort is the product’s strongest consensus advantage. Most reviewers can wear the buds for hours without ear-canal pressure, though a minority experience cartilage pain or poor fit depending on ear shape.

Comfort is the Clip1's clearest strength: reviewers repeatedly forgot they were wearing the 5g clips and used them for hours without ear-canal pressure. A minority with smaller ears or tighter fit experienced fatigue after longer sessions.

The ear-hook design applies little pressure for at least one reviewer, helping the buds stay comfortable during long sessions.

The clip is generally gentle and secure without painful pinching. A few reviewers noticed tighter pressure than on softer competitors, so ear shape can affect long-session comfort.

Low weight is consistently praised and helps the earbuds disappear during long sessions despite their visibly chunky shape.

At about 5g per bud, the Clip1 feels exceptionally light. Reviewers frequently describe it as barely noticeable or effectively disappearing during long use.

Charging is a strong part of the package, especially the USB-C passthrough on the dongle and quick top-ups. One defective unit failed to charge, but most reviewers praise the convenience and speed.

Fast charging is universally well received: about ten minutes in the case yields roughly two hours of playback. Full charging times are also considered reasonable.

Battery life is usually strong, often lasting through long gaming sessions and in some tests approaching the advertised figures. Heavy use of RGB, Immersion Mode, Phantom Bass, or the mic can cut runtime substantially.

Battery life is broadly strong, usually around eight hours on standard codecs with roughly 40 hours including the case. LDAC can cut single-charge endurance sharply, and a few reviewers measured closer to five or six hours in mixed use.

The Clip1 does not support aptX, and one reviewer specifically called that omission a disappointment despite the presence of LDAC.

One reviewer specifically praised the onboard DAC and found the resulting sound natural, clear, and dynamically capable for the price.

The included charging cable received a positive mention and was viewed as a useful part of the package.

The 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is central to the appeal, delivering excellent low-latency gaming and useful passthrough charging. A few units show disconnects or awkward port blocking, so reliability is not universal.

The rounded arm allows useful rotation around the ear, making it easier to dial in a comfortable position.

The in-app find function is useful when it works as expected, but reviewers disagree on its execution. One wanted the feature entirely, while others praised sound or map-based locating and one found the stop behavior awkward.

Fit is excellent for many ears, but a few reviewers found positioning sensitive or the loop a little large for smaller ears. Getting the speaker angle right can materially affect bass and clarity.

LDAC is widely praised for adding detail, clarity, and separation at an unusually low price. Its tradeoffs are substantial: shorter battery life and incompatibility with features such as multipoint or Dynamic EQ on some settings.

One customer received a unit that appeared used or refurbished, with misaligned protective films and a dead earbud.

The open design provides a very natural ability to hear your own voice during chat, which one reviewer particularly appreciated.

One reviewer tried scratching the glossy case with a fingernail and found it stayed shiny without visible marks, suggesting a surprisingly resilient finish.

Xbox support is absent, which one reviewer flags as a concrete platform limitation even while noting the broader USB-C ecosystem constraint.

The case has no lanyard attachment point, which one reviewer found inconvenient for carrying and keeping track of the slippery case.

ASUS acknowledged a reported Steam Deck issue and said it was being investigated, but did not promise a fix.

AutoSense is a standout convenience feature: either bud can go in either ear and the channels usually correct themselves automatically. Most reviewers love the friction it removes, though one review found occasional channel/control mix-ups.

RGB controls are extensive and easy to personalize, with effects, brightness, and colors available. Some reviewers enjoy the style, while others see lighting as garish or unnecessary battery drain.