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%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.46 (11%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.46 (11%)
-
Very negative below 1.56 (11%)
Pros
-
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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Layering, detail retrieval, and frequency separation are major strengths. Busy game scenes, instruments, dialogue, and subtle environmental sounds remain easy to distinguish.
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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.
Cons
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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.
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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.
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This is a fully wired headset with no Bluetooth. Buyers who prioritize wireless freedom will need a different model.
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A recurring complaint is that no carrying case or hard case is included, despite the large headset and extensive cable bundle.
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Xbox support is a major limitation: audio can work through a controller, but microphone support is absent or requires awkward workarounds.
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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 Ear cup swivel/rotation range, Detachable cable convenience, Software/setup simplicity, near average in Bass performance, Positional audio accuracy, below average in Game/Chat balance control, Spatial audio, Earpad replacement ease.
Comparison summary
53 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher17 (32%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts16 (30%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower20 (38%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game/Chat balance control | 1.0 | 3.7 | -2.7 |
| Spatial audio | 1.8 | 4.3 | -2.5 |
| Earpad replacement ease | 2.0 | 4.5 | -2.5 |
| Bluetooth | 1.0 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
| Noise isolation (passive) | 1.4 | 3.5 | -2.1 |
| Built-in DAC and hi-res playback | 2.0 | 4.4 | -2.4 |
| Carry case quality | 1.0 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
| Stability | 2.1 | 4.0 | -1.9 |
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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