Open Box ASUS ROG Kithara Open Back Planar Magnetic Gaming Headset

Redefine to Transcend

ROG Kithara is built for gamers who demand true high-fidelity, audiophile-grade sound, powered by HIFIMAN’s leading acoustic technology. Its open-back acoustic design and ROG-customized HIFIMAN 100mm planar magnetic drivers deliver lifelike audio with sharp, precise detail. Engineered for competitive play, Kithara features an integrated full-band MEMS microphone for clear in-game communication. A balanced headphone cable with swappable plugs, along with a USB-C® adapter, ensures uncompromised audio fidelity and broad compatibility across a wide range of devices.

Powered by HIFIMAN

ROG teamed up with HIFIMAN, a leader in planar magnetic headphone technology, to deliver audiophile-grade sound for tactical in-game advantages. Combining ROG’s unrivaled expertise in competitive gaming and HIFIMAN’s advanced driver technology, the Kithara delivers high-precision, crystal-clear sound tuned to meet the intense demands of gameplay.

ROG-Tuned 100mm HIFIMAN Planar Magnetic Drivers

Co-developed alongside acoustic experts at HIFIMAN and refined through listening tests with ROG power gamers and audiophiles, the drivers used in the Kithara are tuned for a balanced sound signature. Leveraging advanced magnet-diaphragm technology, the Kithara delivers HIFIMAN’s crisp, detailed mid-highs and enhanced bass to ensure every nuance on the battlefield is heard with clarity and precision.

HIFIMAN Neo Supernano Diaphragm
The nanoscale diaphragm responds faster and provides uniform movement to deliver cleaner, more precise sound versus standard diaphragms.

HIFIMAN Stealth Magnet Design
HIFIMAN Stealth Magnets maximize acoustic transparency to reduce interference, so sound flows freely without reflections or diffraction.

Ultrawide 8Hz–55kHz Frequency Response

The planar magnetic drivers offer exceptional extension at both ends of the spectrum with minimal distortion—delivering deep, smooth bass and crisp, well-extended treble for clearer, more refined listening experiences.

Smoother, More Consistent Sound

Planar magnetic diaphragms offer uniform movement, rather than from a single point, to deliver ultra-clean, resonance-free audio with superior clarity and high-fidelity reproduction.

Fast Transient Response

Planar magnetic drivers like the one found in the Kithara deliver superior transient response, preserving clarity without lingering effects. This means key in-game audio cues are sharply defined, enabling you to react more quickly to enemy footsteps and reloads.

Precise Left-Right Consistency

Each driver is measured, sorted, and paired to ensure consistent frequency response between earcups, delivering accurate stereo imaging and enhanced immersive gameplay.

Crafted Open-Back Architecture

Positional awareness is critical in competitive gaming. ROG sound engineers conducted detailed acoustic evaluations to test angled textures, internal structures, and venting ratios during the development of Kithara. The resulting open-back earcup design delivers precise spatial awareness through a balance of form and functionality.

Ultrawide Soundstage for Precise Imaging

The open-back design creates an extremely spacious, dimensional soundstage compared to closed-back headsets. The design enhances separation across deep bass, mids, and treble to prevent low frequencies from masking critical cues – so you can clearly distinguish footsteps from explosions and react faster to every in-game movement.

Full-Band MEMS Boom Microphone

Unlike traditional audiophile headphones that lack a microphone, the Kithara features an on-cable, full-band MEMS boom mic for crystal-clear voice capture for seamless team comms even in the most intense battles. Compared to the standard ECM mics found in most gaming headsets, MEMS technology delivers an ultrawide 20Hz–20kHz response and higher SNR in a compact form—ensuring clear, natural voice pickup with minimal distortion.

Separate Signal Inputs

The detachable cable with microphone uses dedicated wiring for the audio and microphone signals to effectively eliminate crosstalk, ensuring clean, uninterrupted communication.

Broad Compatibility and Plug-and-Play Convenience

The Kithara’s versatility makes it ideal for audiophile or gaming setups. It features a 3-in-1 cable with swappable 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm single-ended plugs for high-fidelity playback across DACs, amplifiers, gaming consoles and PCs. The 4.4mm balanced connection enables higher output power with lower noise and crosstalk, unlocking cleaner and more detailed audio. A USB-C adapter is included for use with laptops and mobile devices. In addition, the headset features 3.5mm jacks on both left and right earcups, allowing users to use their preferred cables for customized sound.

High-Fidelity, Lossless Audio Listening Experience

The headphone cable features swappable 4.4 mm balanced, 6.3 mm, and 3.5 mm single-ended plugs to enable a lossless, high-fidelity listening experience.

Competitive Edge in Gameplay

The dedicated microphone cable uses separate wiring for audio and mic signals, ensuring pristine, uninterrupted in-game communication. For broad compatibility across laptops, consoles, and mobile devices, Kithara also includes a dual 3.5 mm to USB-C adapter, delivering audiophile-grade sound on almost any device.

Premium Build for Durability and Comfort

Every aspect of the ROG Kithara is carefully tuned to deliver optimal user comfort and acoustic performance. Multiple prototypes were evaluated and tested on a dummy head inside an anechoic chamber to ensure that what looks good also sounds exceptional.

Soft, Extended Headband

The headband features a three-layer design using leatherette, breathable mesh, and memory foam to provide lasting comfort and reduce pressure across the head. The extended length enhances stability and weight distribution to minimize pressure across the lower cheek during marathon gaming sessions.

Sleek, Durable Metal Frame

The headband has eight adjustment levels and an aluminum hinge to ensure a secure, comfortable fit that accommodates different head shapes and sizes.

Earcup Architecture with ROG Aesthetics

The open-back design enhances airflow and reduces listening fatigue. Large oval earcups fit various ear shapes and sizes for long-lasting comfort, while the refined earcup angle balances clamping force and minimizes pressure against the jaw. A precision-crafted diamond-cut metal plate with ROG detailing completes the look.

Two Types of Fit and Acoustics

Various earcup sizes, thickness, and materials were thoroughly evaluated during testing, with the final designs ensuring providing gamers with exceptional listening experiences. The Kithara includes a leatherette-with-fabric pad for breathable comfort and more focused sound, along with a velour pad for a softer fit and warmer acoustics. Each earpad is also shaped to distribute pressure evenly around the ear, enhancing long-term comfort when gaming or listening to music.

Intuitive In-line control

Compared to earcup-mounted buttons, dedicated in-line controls on the Kithara enable you to mute or unmute the mic, and adjust volume via a scroll wheel for more intuitive adjustments.

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.
Two types of fit and acoustics: Interchangeable earcup cushions (leatherette with fabric, velour) for customizable comfort and sound.