If you want better Noise isolation (passive)
Choose HyperX Cloud Alpha. It scores 4.3 vs 1.6 for Noise isolation (passive), with a 3.9 overall score.
ASUS ROG Kithara Review
Bottom Line
Choose ASUS ROG Kithara if you want wired, open-back planar sound, wide staging, and strong accessories. Skip it if you need wireless convenience, quiet isolation, Xbox mic support, or bass-heavy listening.
Best for
Best for desk-based PC or PlayStation users who want open-back planar clarity, wide staging, and a headset-style microphone without building a separate headphone-and-mic rig. It fits quiet rooms and listeners who value detail over heavy bass.
Not for
Not for users who need wireless freedom, strong isolation, low leakage, simple Xbox mic support, or a bass-heavy closed-back sound. It is also risky for smaller heads or buyers sensitive to headband/sliding fit issues.
Verdict
Across the reviews, the ASUS ROG Kithara lands as a specialized wired headset built around sound quality rather than gaming convenience. Reviewers repeatedly praise its planar clarity, wide open-back staging, strong separation, comfort, sturdy build, and unusually complete cable bundle. The tradeoff is that the same open design leaks sound and blocks little noise, while several reviewers note bass restraint, loose headband behavior, sensitive or basic controls, and device-dependent volume. The microphone is usually good enough for chat and calls, but rarely treated as studio-grade. Its value depends heavily on whether the buyer wants audiophile-style wired listening more than wireless features, isolation, RGB, or simple console use.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
45 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.013 (29%)
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Positive 3.5-4.418 (40%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.46 (13%)
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Negative 1.5-2.48 (18%)
Pros
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One review credits the low distortion and driver control with giving the headset headroom when pushing volume or applying EQ.
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Connectivity versatility is a major strength thanks to the cable bundle, swappable plugs, balanced option, USB-C adapter, and broad desk-device support.
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Footstep and cue clarity is repeatedly praised, especially for shooters, where reviewers hear footsteps, reloads, and distant movement clearly.
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Hinge durability is praised in the reviews that mention it, with the hinges and headband described as robust or able to take abuse.
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Reviewers consistently describe the Kithara as an exceptional-sounding wired headset, with only a few noting that its sound-first approach is niche.
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Reviewers often highlight strong separation, detail retrieval, and the ability to distinguish instruments or game sounds without smearing.
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The open-back planar design is repeatedly praised for a wide, airy soundstage that helps games, music, and spatial presentation feel larger.
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Build quality is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers praising the metal frame, solid construction, and premium materials despite some control/headband caveats.
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Measurements and reviewer impressions point to strong response consistency, clean presentation, and studio-leaning tuning, though the target is not bass-heavy.
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The large pads are widely praised for plushness, breathability, and comfort, with a few caveats about scratchiness, warmth, or fit behavior.
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The accessory bundle is repeatedly praised as generous and complete, though one reviewer thinks the many pieces may feel fiddly to gamers.
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Multi-platform compatibility is broad across PC, PlayStation, Switch, mobile, and some Xbox audio use, though functionality varies by connector.
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One review praises the included alternate earpads as high-quality, though the replacement ecosystem is limited by the proprietary mount.
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Positional accuracy is mostly strong for shooters, but a few reviewers say it is good rather than class-leading or report cue-location issues.
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Clamp is usually described as moderate, relaxed, or well balanced, helping comfort without creating excessive jaw or temple pressure.
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Most reviewers find long-session comfort strong despite the size, though weight, clamp, or headband fit can create issues for some users.
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Swivel and rotation receive positive notes for helping the headset sit naturally, lay flat, or adapt to different heads.
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Packaging receives positive notes for a premium presentation and the included ROG-style unboxing experience.
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Microphone noise handling is better than many headset mics, with several reviewers noting low background pickup despite limited or no digital processing.
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Midrange earns praise for clarity and balance in some reviews, while one reviewer hears voices and instruments sitting slightly farther back.
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Setup is praised for being simple and plug-and-play, but that simplicity also means no app-driven feature suite or software customization.
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Design reactions range from stylish, premium, and restrained to comically oversized or odd-looking on smaller heads.
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Cable impressions are mixed: the premium braided cable is praised, while the mic cable can feel merely okay, short, or somewhat plain.
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Treble is generally detailed and helpful for cues, though reviewers split on whether it is bright, restrained, or potentially fatiguing.
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Value is divisive: some see a standout planar bargain, while others think the price is hard to justify without wireless convenience or easier driveability.
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EQ potential is mixed: the drivers respond well to EQ, but the headset has no built-in software EQ and may need extra gear or PC tools.
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Fit and seal are mixed: one review praises a solid seal, while another reports the earcups sliding during movement.
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The microphone is usually good enough for calls, gaming chat, Discord, and meetings, but it is not treated as a replacement for a dedicated mic.
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Reviewers agree the headset is heavy, but opinions split between excellent weight distribution and fatigue or pressure from the 420 g frame.
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Overall microphone impressions are mixed: clear and practical for chat, but sensitive, plosive-prone, nasal, or not standout in several reviews.
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Bass is controlled, textured, and sometimes impactful, but several reviewers say it is restrained compared with closed-back or bass-heavy gaming headsets.
Cons
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The USB-C dongle is useful for compatibility and sometimes volume, but reviewers disagree on whether it improves sound or behaves consistently.
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USB-C support is useful and can boost volume in some setups, but it is not always an audio upgrade and can still leave low output on some devices.
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Earpad replacement is generally possible and sometimes easy, but proprietary or clip-based mounting can feel limiting or fiddly.
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Portability is limited by the large wired open-back design, even though the earcups can lay flat for packing.
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Volume output is highly device-dependent: some sources get very loud, while controllers, onboard audio, or certain USB-C setups can feel limited.
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Inline control usability is mixed to negative: controls are convenient in theory, but the wheel or mute/control housing can feel cheap, sensitive, or touchy.
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Sound leakage is an unavoidable open-back tradeoff, with most reviewers warning that nearby people can hear audio and outside sound comes in.
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Stability is a recurring weakness when reviewers experience sliding earcups, loose sliders, or tension-band movement during play.
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Several reviewers criticize the headband or sliders for looseness or weak adjustment, making this one of the more repeated build-control complaints.
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Console compatibility has important caveats, especially around Xbox and controller/USB-C behavior, with some reviewers discouraging console-first use.
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Because the Kithara is open-back, reviewers consistently warn that it offers little passive isolation and works best in quiet rooms.
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Xbox support is the weakest platform story, with reviewers noting limited compatibility or no microphone input in key setups.
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One reviewer specifically faults the lack of a bag or hard case given the number of included cables and adapters.
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The gaming-control feature set is limited, with one review specifically calling out the lack of chat mix adjustment.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Headsets, this product is above average in Connectivity versatility, Frequency response accuracy, Hinge durability, near average in Ear cup padding quality, Microphone noise reduction, below average in Game/Chat balance control, Headband adjustability, Noise isolation (passive).
Summary
45 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher14 (31%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts15 (33%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower16 (36%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game/Chat balance control | 1.5 | 3.7 | -2.2 |
| Headband adjustability | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Noise isolation (passive) | 1.6 | 3.5 | -1.9 |
| Stability | 2.1 | 4.0 | -1.9 |
| Carry case quality | 1.5 | 3.1 | -1.6 |
| Xbox compatibility | 1.5 | 3.0 | -1.5 |
| Button control usability | 2.6 | 3.8 | -1.2 |
| Sound leakage | 2.1 | 3.0 | -0.9 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Headband adjustability
Choose Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless Gaming Headset. It scores 4.0 vs 2.0 for Headband adjustability, with a 3.7 overall score.
If you want better Stability
Choose Sony Inzone H6 Air. It scores 4.0 vs 2.1 for Stability, with a 3.8 overall score.
If you want better USB-C
Choose RIG R5 Spear MAX HD. It scores 4.5 vs 3.3 for USB-C, with a 3.9 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Worse: openness and refinement The Kithara is described as more open and refined than the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2.
- Better: physical bass impact The reviewer says the Kithara does not match the Astro A50 X for physical bass power.
- Worse: openness and refinement The Kithara is described as more open and refined than the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.
FAQ
Is the ASUS ROG Kithara good for competitive shooters?
Yes, most reviewers praise its footstep clarity, separation, and wide soundstage. A few still say positional audio is good rather than class-leading, so it is strongest for players who also value overall sound quality.
Does the Kithara have strong bass?
It has controlled, textured bass, but it is not a basshead headset. Several reviewers say the low end is restrained because of the open-back design.
Is the microphone good enough for calls and chat?
Generally yes for Discord, team chat, work calls, and meetings. Reviewers describe it as clear enough, though not studio-grade and sometimes nasal, sensitive, or plosive-prone.
Does the open-back design leak sound?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly warn that nearby people can hear what you are listening to and that outside sounds come through, so it works best in quiet spaces.
Is it comfortable for long sessions?
Mostly yes, with many reviewers praising the large pads and weight distribution. The main comfort caveats are the 420 g weight and reports of loose sliders or slipping headband behavior.
Is it worth the price?
It depends on priorities. Reviewers who want audiophile-style wired sound often see strong value, while those wanting wireless convenience, isolation, or all-in-one gaming features find the value harder to justify.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - BadSeed Tech
- Review score
- 3.6
Article Reviews
pcgamer.com
- Review score
- 3.7
tomshardware.com
- Review score
- 3.1
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