The video opens with a dark background as the ROG Kithara gaming headset slowly rotates in view. Soft lighting highlights the open-back earcups, metal frame, and adjustable headband.
ROG Kithara 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.
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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.
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HIFIMAN Neo Supernano Diaphragm
The nanoscale diaphragm responds faster and provides uniform movement to deliver cleaner, more precise sound versus standard diaphragms.
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HIFIMAN Stealth Magnet Design
HIFIMAN Stealth Magnets maximize acoustic transparency to reduce interference, so sound flows freely without reflections or diffraction.
ROG-Tuned 100mm HIFIMAN Planar Magnetic Drivers
Co-developed with HIFIMAN and ROG acoustic experts, along with power gamers, and refined through extensive listening tests, 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.
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Traditional Magnets Design
Disturb and block sound waves
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Stealth Magnets Design
Minimize sound disturbance
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.
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.
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General Closed-Back Headsets Narrower Soundstage
Different sound sources tend to cluster closer together, making it harder to pinpoint precise locations.
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Open-Back ROG Kithara Wider Soundstage
More accurate positional audio, excellent imaging, and a deeply immersive gaming experience.
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.
- 20Hz - 20kHzWider Frequency Response
- Total Harmonic Distortion < 0.1%Accurate, Clean Vocal Pickup
- High SNR 74dB Clearer Sound
Hear the Difference
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General Gaming Headset
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ROG Kithara
*For the best experience, please use headphones to listen.
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.
- Audio signal
- Separate TRS 3.5mm plug (Audio)
- Audio signal
- Mic signal
- Separate TRS 3.5mm plug (Microphone)
- Mic signal
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 to dual 3.5 mm adapter is included for audiophile-grade sound on almost any device. In addition, the headset features 3.5mm jacks on both left and right earcups, allowing users to use their preferred cables for customized sound.
- Full-Band MEMS Boom Microphone Cable
- USB-C to dual 3.5 mm adapter
- 4.4 mm balanced
- 6.3mm
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced Cable with 3-in-1 Swappable Plugs
- Sound Signature Certificate
Suggested Usage Scenarios
| Device | Connection method | Microphone support |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Dual 3.5mm or USB-C® | Dual 3.5mm or USB-C® |
| NB / NUC / Mobile phone | Single 3.5mm (Audio only) or USB-C® | USB-C® only |
| PlayStation | Console: USB-C® Controller: 3.5mm (Audio only) |
USB-C® only |
| Xbox | Console: Not applicable Controller: 3.5mm (Audio only) |
Not supported |
| Switch / Switch 2 | USB-C® | USB-C® only |
| DAC / Amp | Dual 3.5mm (Microphone to PC / Audio to DAC) | Supported if device supports microphone |
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.
Maximum Compatibility
For broad compatibility across laptops, consoles, and mobile devices, Kithara also includes a USB-C to dual 3.5 mm 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.
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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.
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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.
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The video opens with a focused beam of light illuminating the ROG Kithara headset positioned on a raised platform. The headset slowly rotates, revealing its durable and premium metal headband and adjustable sliders.
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.
Two Types of Fit and Acoustics
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.
FAQ
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Usage Scenarios
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There’re two recommended listening setup, please find two options below:
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1. Using DAC/Amp (Recommended for high-fidelity audio)
For the best sound quality, use the 4.4 mm balanced plug or 6.3 mm single-ended plug with a dedicated DAC/amp. This setup provides higher power output, improved dynamics, and greater audio detail.
- Connect the headphone plug to the DAC/amp and the microphone plug to your PC.
- Or use a DAC that supports both headphone and microphone inputs.
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2. Using USB-C to Dual 3.5 mm Adapter
Some devices may not deliver sufficient power through a standard 3.5 mm jack, which can result in lower volume.
In this case, use the included USB-C to dual 3.5 mm adapter, which supports both audio and microphone connections and ensures stable power delivery with consistent, audiophile-grade sound quality across multiple devices.
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ROG Kithara features an open-back design, which naturally allows some environmental sound to pass through. For this reason, we recommend avoiding use in noisy environments.
Because the earcups are open, a small amount of low-frequency energy can escape, which may make the bass feel lighter compared to closed-back headsets. However, this design delivers a more balanced and natural frequency response, along with wider soundstage and superior sound separation.
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Controls
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Please check the following:
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1. Cable connections
Make sure both plugs on the microphone cable are connected to the correct jacks:
- The plug with the microphone icon should be connected to the microphone jack on your PC, or the matching icon on the USB-C adapter.
- The plug with the headphone icon should be connected to the headphone jack on your PC, or the matching icon on the USB-C adapter.
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In-line volume control
- The in-line volume wheel on the microphone cable may have been turned down accidentally. Rotate it upward to increase the volume.
- Please note that the in-line volume control operates independently of your device’s system volume, so the system may show normal volume while the headset remains muted.
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This may be caused by insufficient power output from your device’s audio jack. For better driving power and more consistent performance, we recommend using the included USB-C adapter.
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Please check the in-line control on the microphone cable:
- If you see a red indicator, the microphone is muted.
- Slide the switch until the red indicator disappears to unmute the microphone.
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Please check the microphone position and direction:
- The white arrow on the microphone boom indicates the pickup side and should face your mouth.
- Position the microphone approximately 5 cm from the corner of your mouth.
- Placing it too close may cause distortion or popping sounds.
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Connectivity
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Yes. When using the balanced cable with the USB-C adapter, please make sure the 3.5 mm connector is plugged into the jack marked with the headphone icon.
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Yes, both the balanced cable and microphone cable can be connected to console controllers. However, the microphone cable separates audio and microphone signals into two individual plugs. Since most console controllers support only a single combined audio jack, the microphone function will not work when using the microphone cable with these controllers.
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We do not recommend this. The dual 3.5 mm design of the microphone cable is intended to reduce crosstalk, preventing in-game audio from leaking into the microphone. Using a third-party adapter may reintroduce crosstalk issues. For optimal performance and sound quality, we recommend using the included USB-C adapter.
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Please ensure proper alignment before inserting to help prevent pin damage and ensures a secure connection.
- Align the notch on the plug with the bump on the cable connector
- Insert gently without applying excessive force
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Comfort
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This may be due to an improper headband adjustment.
Please adjust the sliders on both sides of the metal headband until your ears sit comfortably inside the earcups. If the headset feels too loose, slide the adjusters downward to create a more secure and stable fit.
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Product Features
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Open-back earcups allow air and sound to pass through the back of the earcup, creating a wider, more natural soundstage with better spatial accuracy—ideal for immersive gaming and detailed listening. However, they offer little noise isolation and may leak sound. In contrast, closed-back earcups seal the ear completely, providing stronger noise isolation, deeper perceived bass, and minimal sound leakage, making them better for use in shared or noisy environments, though with a more contained soundstage compared to open-back designs.
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Planar magnetic drivers use a thin, flat diaphragm suspended between magnetic arrays, allowing the entire surface to move uniformly. This design delivers lower distortion, faster response, wider soundstage, and more accurate detail reproduction. In contrast, dynamic drivers use a voice coil and cone diaphragm driven by a single magnet, producing a more traditional, punchy sound with stronger bass, but with slightly higher distortion and less precise imaging compared to planar magnetic drivers.
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MEMS microphones use a fully integrated chip design that enables a wider frequency response, higher signal-to-noise ratio, and lower distortion compared to traditional ECM microphones. This results in clearer, more natural, and more accurate voice reproduction, especially for gaming and team communication.
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Separating the audio and microphone signal wiring helps ensure cleaner, interference-free communication. By isolating the two signal paths, the headset prevents electrical crosstalk, reduces noise, and minimizes distortion that can occur when audio and mic signals share the same wiring. This results in clearer voice transmission, more accurate game audio playback, and a more stable overall listening experience, especially during competitive gaming or streaming.
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