Asus unveils ROG Kithara, its first planar magnetic gaming headset

Asus introduced the corporate’s first ROG-branded gaming headset with planar magnetic drivers at CES 2026. Developed at the side of HiFiMAN, the ROG Kithara is an open-backed design constructed for players who care about sound high quality as a lot as gaming efficiency.

This headset is firmly in audiophile grade territory with related performance to the much-heralded Audeze Maxwell gaming headset. Whereas most gaming headsets characteristic neodymium drivers, this one options giant 100mm planar magnetic drivers for a greater audio constancy. It additionally has an extremely vast frequency response, a full band MEMS growth microphone, and balanced connectivity.

The ROG Kithara is designed like a high-end headphone somewhat than a gaming headset. The 100mm planar magnetic drivers are thought-about enormous even for the audiophile house not to mention for a gaming headset. Asus says this permits the Kithara to maneuver air with very low distortion whereas sustaining pace and management. The frequency response is between 8Hz to 55KHz.

The open-backed design is a deliberate sound-enhancing characteristic that permits audio to go by means of freely. This idea is designed to stop sound reverberating across the headset. Whereas an enclosed earcup causes completely different frequencies to overlap, Asus claims the Kithara has glorious sound separation, permitting higher sound definition.

The headset additionally takes a severe view of gaming chat. As an alternative of a narrowband gaming mic, the Kithara makes use of a full-band MEMS growth microphone with a 20Hz to 20KHz response and a high-grade sign to noise ratio.

Crosstalk is decreased through separate sign paths for the microphone and headphone audio, maintaining voices clear and intelligible throughout multiplayer chat.

Within the connectivity division, Kithara differentiates itself once more. Relatively than locking customers right into a proprietary wi-fi system or single connector, Asus has opted for a completely analog modular strategy. The provided cable helps swappable 4.4mm, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm single-ended plugs, permitting the headset for use with most DACs, amplifiers, PCs, Macs, cellular units, and gaming consoles.

Asus guarantees the Kithara may even have a light-weight steel body for a sturdy however snug really feel whereas maintaining the load to a good 14.8 oz (420-grams), which is appropriate for lengthy gaming stints.

The headset will characteristic an 8-way adjustable headband and reminiscence foam padding. The inclusion of leatherette with cloth in addition to velour ear cushions permits customers to customise the headset’s really feel primarily based on their consolation preferences.

Asus ROG Kithara will likely be accessible in Q1 2026 with pricing to be introduced.