Earlier this year at CES 2026 ASUS was really excited about their new ROG Kithara gaming headset. They told us that it was a collab with HiFiMan and that the headset makes use of 100mm planar magnetic drivers. Not being an audiophile all of these was like a foreign language to me. I did however had a change to actually test these headphones at the ASUS booth and I was quite impressed. Fast forward about a month and I’ve been using this gaming headset for a couple of weeks now as my daily driver, not only for gaming but listening to music and watching media on my PC. In the review we are going to see if someone who isn’t an audiophile can tell the difference between this headset and a more standard gaming headset. Let’s jump in!
Special thanks to ASUS for providing us with the ROG Kithara Gaming Headset to review.
Main Features of the ASUS ROG Kithara Gaming Headset
- ROG-Tuned 100mm HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers: Audiophile-grade fidelity across an ultra-wide 8Hz–55kHz frequency range with vivid detail and exceptionally low distortion
- Open-back design: Spacious, natural soundstage with clear separation across bass, mids, and treble to enhance spatial awareness
- On-cable full-band MEMS boom microphone: Accurate voice pickup with a wide 20Hz–20kHz response and high SNR for clean voice; dual 3.5mm input prevents crosstalk for uninterrupted communication
- Broad compatibility and plug-and-play convenience: 4.4mm balanced plug included, plus 3.5mm and 6.3mm single-ended plugs, and a USB-C® adapter for seamless compatibility with DACs, amps, PCs, consoles, and mobile devices
- Premium build for durability and comfort: Soft adjustable headband, robust metal frame and hinges, and sleek earcup with signature ROG elements
- Personalized fit and acoustics: Interchangeable earcup cushions (leatherette with fabric, velour) for customizable comfort and sound
ASUS ROG Kithara Packaging
The ASUS ROG Kithara comes in your standard ROG retail packaging. On the front we have a picture of the headset and it does let us know that the headset does support PlayStation 5. Flipping over to the back we find an exploded view of the headset giving us more detail on the drivers, etc.
Opening the box up we are first greeted with a sound signature certificate. The is their measurement of the frequency response of the headset. It also lets us know that every unit is individually measured. After we remove the certificate section there is a quick start guide to let us know how to properly connect the headset.
Getting everything out of the box you’ll find the headset itself, a 1.8m dual-3.5mm to dual-3.5mm boom mic cable (with in-line controls), a 1.8m dual-3.5mm with 3-in-1 end connector cable, 3.5mm end connector, 4.4mm balanced end connector, 6.3mm single-ended end connector, USB-C to dual-3.5mm adapter, a user’s guide, warranty card, and an extra set of ear cushions (not pictured). The second set of ear cushions is not pictured in my first photo as they are actually in the bottom of the box (you have to remove the foam insert to find them).
