The ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Gaming Headset Targets Audiophiles
Co-developed with HIFIMAN, the wired Kithara blends 100mm planar drivers, open-back staging and a full-band MEMS mic for competitive play and music.
Summary
- ASUS ROG has launched the ROG Kithara, its first open-back planar magnetic gaming headset, co-developed with audiophile specialist HIFIMAN and priced at around $299
- The wired headset targets gamers who want audiophile-grade sound, pairing 100mm planar magnetic drivers and an open-back design with a full-band MEMS boom mic and swappable analog plugs
- Positioned between high-end hi-fi cans and mainstream esports gear, the Kithara promises clearer positional audio, low distortion, and broad compatibility with PCs, consoles, DACs, and amps
The ASUS ROG Kithara drops into a crowded headset market by aiming straight at the overlap between hardcore gamers and headphone nerds. Co-developed with HIFIMAN and first teased at CES 2026, this is ROG’s debut open-back planar magnetic gaming headset, built around oversized 100mm planar drivers tuned specifically for play. Coverage notes an ultra-wide 8 Hz to 55 kHz frequency response and very low distortion, with the open-back architecture widening the soundstage so footsteps, reloads, and distant movement sit in their own space instead of collapsing into the mix.
Unlike typical closed-back gaming cans that lean on boosted bass and virtual surround tricks, the Kithara focuses on accuracy, separation, and a more natural presentation. Articles highlight how the planar drivers and open design help preserve subtle positional cues even when multiple effects stack up, which could be a quiet advantage in competitive shooters. At the same time, the tuning and open, airy staging are pitched as equally suited to music and long-form listening, with comfort backed by a metal frame, padded multilayer headband, and two sets of swappable ear cushions.
Despite the audiophile lean, ROG keeps the Kithara strictly wired and surprisingly versatile. There is a full-band MEMS boom mic on the cable with a wide 20 Hz to 20 kHz response and separate signal paths to limit crosstalk, plus a 3-in-1 balanced cable system offering 4.4mm, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm plugs, alongside a USB-C to dual 3.5mm adapter. With 16-ohm impedance, the headset is designed to run off gaming PCs, laptops, consoles like PS5, and external DAC/amp stacks, effectively giving sound-obsessed players a single headset they can drag between ranked lobbies and late-night album sessions.
