If you’ve never gamed on an open-back headset, it’s time to level up your audio

The ROG Kithara is already turning heads (and ears) everywhere. With an open-backed design, planar magnetic drivers, and audiophile quality sound, the Kithara is unlike any gaming headset you’ve probably ever used. But if you’ve never used an open-back headset before, you might be wondering what the difference is. Should the you grab the open-back Kithara or a closed-back headset like the ROG Delta II? Here, we'll break down the differences and help you find the best gaming headset for your setup.

Open-back headphones provide more spacious, realistic audio

The biggest difference between an open-back headset like the Kithara and your typical closed-back gaming headset is the design of the earcups. Most gaming headsets, including the bulk of ROG’s lineup, are closed-back, meaning the cups enclose your ears fully. This adds some noise isolation, meaning you can hear your music or game without hearing other people in the room around you. Certain frequency ranges like bass will also reverberate a bit better on closed-backed headphones if you like that low-end slam.

Open-back headphones, on the other hand, use earcups with grilles that let air (and sound) flow more freely in and out of the earcups. This provides a huge advantage in sound quality, particularly when it comes to the perceived spatial width and depth of the audio. This is referred to as soundstage, and it makes audio sound incredible. Put on a pair of open-back headphones, and all of a sudden you feel like you’re truly in the game world. Instead of sounds coming from the space right around your head, it sounds much more natural and spacious. Trust me, if you’ve never heard an open-back headphone, you’ll be blown away.

And while this type of headphone has been popular among music-focused audiophiles, a wider soundstage makes all audio sound better. Music sounds more realistic and present, movies feel more immersive, and games give you more intuitive spatial cues, so you get a better idea of where that enemy gunfire is coming from. (Combine that with your favorite virtual surround tech, and you’re really cooking.)

A balanced sound signature is key, putting your game audio front and center

Now, the earcup design isn’t the only factor in how a headphone sounds — far from it. The driver technology, frequency range, and tuning all have a huge effect on sound as well. And we took all of those things very seriously when designing the Kithara.

The ROG Kithara uses 100mm planar magnetic drivers, which provide an ultra-wide 8Hz–55kHz frequency range with audiophile grade fidelity. The unique construction of planar magnetic drivers is particularly suited to providing detailed audio with exceptionally low distortion, giving it a distinctly clear sound, especially when combined with the headset’s open-back construction. (If you’re curious about the tech behind these drivers, you can read more about planar magnetic headphones here.)

The frequency response of the Kithara was specially tuned by ROG to match the precise sound signature we knew audiophile gamers would crave. The bass thumps without being overpowering, allowing the midrange to come through sharp and clear — which is especially important for footsteps and other ambient sounds in competitive games. The high end is present, but not harsh, providing a clean, warm sound that’s pleasing for all types of music and games.

Whether you’re immersing yourself in the world of Ghost of Tsushima or playing competitive rounds of Valorant, the Kithara has you covered. (And if you really want to discover a new level of audio heaven, fire up the orchestral majesty of Expedition 33, the heavy metal violence of Doom: The Dark Ages, or the unsettlingly atmospheric Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.)

Open-back gaming headset vs regular headphones: the value-add of a dedicated mic (and more)

So why buy an open-back gaming headset rather than just a regular pair of open-back audiophile headphones? In the past, this decision was a bit different, but with the Kithara, the choice becomes clearer — because it truly does contain the best of both worlds.

The ROG Kithara has a rich foundation of quality audio tech thanks to ROG’s partnership with HIFIMAN, a pioneer of modern planar magnetic headphones. And while the world of audiophile headphones has plenty of high-quality open-back options, the ROG Kithara was created specifically for gamers — by those passionate about both gaming and high-end audio. And it comes with the features that those gamers need.

First and foremost, the Kithara comes with a full-band MEMS boom microphone, which attaches to the headset for easy in-game comms and contains an easily accesible mute switch on the cable. But it’s not just convenient — its 20Hz–20kHz response and high signal-to-noise ratio provides exceptionally clean voice pickup with minimal crosstalk thanks to its dual 3.5mm input. This adds a ton of value to the full package — after all, most audiophile headphones don’t come with their own headset mic, so you’d have to buy a mic separately, which raises the total cost of your setup.

We’ve got gamers covered on the software side, too, with ROG’s own virtual surround offering as well as a built-in equalizer with gaming-oriented presets built-in. Combined with the two sets of included earpads, you have plenty of ways to fine-tune this headset to your preferences and the game at hand. (The leatherette ear pads are our default recommended option, while the velour pads give a slightly warmer, bassier sound. Both are insanely comfortable, and your personal preference will dictate which is best.)

All in all, the Kithara gives you the quality of an audiophile headphone with the features of a gaming headset, all in one glorious package.

Where closed-back headsets still win

Open-backed headphones come with plenty of advantages, but they do not render losed-back headphones obsolete. Depending on your setup, a closed-back headset may still be the way to go.

The very nature of open-back headsets minimizes the sound isolation you typically get from closed-back headphones. That means that even with the headphones on, you can hear someone speak if they’re sitting next to you, and they can hear your game audio more clearly leaking out of the headphones. So while the sound quality is incredible, they’re more ideal for those who game alone, in a dedicated room, where you won’t bother those around you.

If you tend to play in a communal space, like a living room or multi-person office, you might still prefer a closed-back headphone like the ROG Delta II for practicality. It also features a well-balanced sound signature, targeting the Harman Curve famous for fitting the preferences of most people (including more discerning audiophiles). Its detachable boom mic sounds great, its earcups are remarkably comfortable, and like the Kithara it comes with two sets of ear pads for you to choose from.

So the choice, ultimately, depends on your use case. If you have a dedicated space for gaming and you haven’t heard a pair of open-back, audiophile-grade headphones before, do yourself a favor and give the ROG Kithara a try. We think it’ll blow you away. But if you need the sound isolation that only a set of closed-back headphones can give, the Delta II is still an excellent choice. And no matter which you choose, be sure to check out our gaming audio optimization guide to get the most out of your new cans.