If you want better Noise isolation (passive)
Choose HyperX Cloud Alpha. It scores 4.3 vs 1.4 for Noise isolation (passive), with a 4.1 overall score.
ASUS ROG Kithara Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Kithara for exceptional wired clarity, separation, and long-session comfort in a quiet room. Skip it if you need wireless freedom, isolation, reliable Xbox mic support, strong stock sub-bass, or a secure fit for a smaller head.
Best for
Best for PC, PlayStation, or Switch users in a quiet room who prioritize natural detail, wide staging, and a wired audiophile-style setup. It especially suits larger heads and buyers willing to use a DAC/amp or EQ.
Not for
Not for commuters, shared or noisy rooms, Xbox voice-chat users, or buyers seeking Bluetooth, ANC, heavy stock sub-bass, and simple wireless convenience. Smaller heads may also struggle with slipping.
Verdict
The ASUS ROG Kithara succeeds by spending its budget on sound rather than wireless features. Its open-back planar drivers deliver exceptional clarity, separation, speed, and a broad stage that can make games and music feel unusually revealing. The two pad sets, modular cables, USB-C adapter, and generally excellent long-session comfort strengthen the package. The tradeoffs are substantial: bass can feel restrained without EQ or amplification, volume varies by source, the mic ranges from very good to nasal and room-sensitive, and Xbox support is limited. Its 420-gram frame also fits large heads better than small ones, with repeated complaints about loose sliders and slipping. Most concerning, several customers report defective adapters or failed drivers. It is a compelling audiophile-style gaming headset for a quiet desk, but not a universal premium gaming solution.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
53 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.017 (32%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.418 (34%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.46 (11%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.46 (11%)
-
Very negative below 1.56 (11%)
Pros highlights
-
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.
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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.
-
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Cons highlights
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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.
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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.
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The extremely open cups provide little to no passive isolation. Household sounds, fans, conversations, and other room noise remain easy to hear.
-
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.
-
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.
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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.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Headsets, this product is above average in Detachable cable convenience, Included accessories, Frequency response accuracy, near average in Bass performance, Positional audio accuracy, below average in Spatial audio, Game/Chat balance control, Bluetooth.
Comparison summary
53 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher18 (34%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts15 (28%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower20 (38%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spatial audio | 1.8 | 4.3 | -2.5 |
| Game/Chat balance control | 1.0 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
| Bluetooth | 1.0 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
| Earpad replacement ease | 2.0 | 4.4 | -2.4 |
| Built-in DAC and hi-res playback | 2.0 | 4.4 | -2.4 |
| Noise isolation (passive) | 1.4 | 3.4 | -2.0 |
| Stability | 2.1 | 4.1 | -2.0 |
| Carry case quality | 1.0 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Spatial audio
Choose Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless Gaming Headset. It scores 4.3 vs 1.8 for Spatial audio, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Stability
Choose RIG R5 Spear MAX HD. It scores 4.5 vs 2.1 for Stability, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Clamping force comfort
Choose HyperX Cloud III. It scores 4.6 vs 2.9 for Clamping force comfort, with a 3.8 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: physical bass impact The Astro A50 X produces more physically powerful bass.
maxwell 2
- Better: overall gaming practicality The reviewer considers the maxwell 2 the better all-around gaming option.
- Worse: audio quality, comfort, and price The Kithara beats the Maxwell 2 on sound while costing less and feeling lighter.
- Worse: bass performance The Kithara delivers more sub-bass and bass than the Maxwell 2.
Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro
- Better: microphone naturalness The Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro microphone sounds fuller and more natural.
- Worse: treble tonality Its highs are less screechy than the Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro.
FAQ
Is the ROG Kithara wireless?
No. It is a fully wired headset with no Bluetooth, battery, or wireless mode.
Does it need a DAC or amplifier?
Not always, but volume and bass vary substantially by source. Many users get the best results from the USB-C adapter or a dedicated DAC/amp.
Is it good for competitive FPS games?
Most users praise its footstep detail, separation, and wide stage, though a minority reports average or poor positional accuracy in specific games.
Does the microphone work on Xbox?
Xbox audio can work through a controller, but direct microphone support is generally absent and may require an awkward workaround.
Does it block or leak sound?
It provides almost no passive isolation and leaks audio because the earcups are extremely open.
Is it comfortable for long sessions?
Usually, especially for larger heads, thanks to the suspension band and large pads. Smaller heads may experience loose clamp, slipping, or pressure from the 420-gram weight.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - BadSeed Tech
- Review score
- 3.4
Article Reviews
techradar.com
Asus and HiFiMan combine to make an excellent wired audiophile gaming headset in the ROG Kithara, though a few missing features and a complex...
- Review score
- 3.4
pcgamer.com
- Review score
- 3.4
tomshardware.com
- Review score
- 3.5
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