ASUS Republic of Gamers has announced ROG Kithara, its first high-fidelity planar magnetic gaming headset, developed in partnership with HIFIMAN. Positioned at the intersection of gaming and audiophile-grade audio, the Kithara is designed to deliver precise imaging, wide soundstage, and low distortion for competitive and immersive gaming.
Unlike conventional gaming headsets, the ROG Kithara adopts a fully open-back design, prioritizing spatial awareness and natural sound reproduction.
Planar Magnetic Drivers Tuned for Gaming
At the core of the ROG Kithara are ROG-customized 100mm HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers, offering an extended 8Hz–55kHz frequency response. Planar magnetic technology allows the diaphragm to move uniformly, reducing distortion and improving clarity across the frequency range.
This design enables precise sound placement, helping gamers identify subtle in-game cues such as footsteps and directional effects.
Open-Back Design for Spatial Accuracy
The open-back construction allows sound to move freely through the earcups, minimizing internal reflections and resonance. This results in improved separation between bass, mids, and treble, and contributes to a wider, more dimensional soundstage.
ASUS also emphasizes strict driver matching to ensure consistent left-right channel balance, which is critical for accurate positional audio.
Full-Band MEMS Boom Microphone
Voice communication is handled by an on-cable full-band MEMS boom microphone with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency response. Separate signal channels are used to reduce crosstalk, while a high signal-to-noise ratio helps maintain clear and natural voice reproduction during gaming and streaming.
Broad Device Compatibility
The ROG Kithara includes a high-quality OFC cable with swappable plugs, supporting 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm connections. This makes the headset compatible with a wide range of DACs, amplifiers, PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. A USB-C to dual 3.5mm adapter is also included for added flexibility.
Availability
Pricing and availability of the ROG Kithara in India have not yet been announced. ASUS is expected to share more details closer to launch.
