The ROG Kithara just benched every other gaming headset I own

I’m a bit of a gaming headset snob. When audio cues blur together, it pulls me out of the moment. When closed earcups trap too much heat, long sessions start to feel uncomfortable. And if a headset forces me to compromise on mic quality or convenient connectivity, it quickly loses its appeal. To stick with a headset and make it my daily driver, I need just about everything to be perfect.

Thankfully, the ROG Kithara checks every box I care about and then some. With its open-back design, planar magnetic drivers, and thoughtful set of features, the headset delivers a spacious, detailed soundscape while keeping long gaming sessions comfortable and flexible.

A wired headset built for any setup

Despite packing audiophile-grade technology, the ROG Kithara keeps connectivity refreshingly simple. A dual 3.5mm connection fits into the mic and headphone jacks on the back of my desktop PC, or I can simplify things with a single USB-C adapter that lets me use the headset instantly with my ROG Ally X or ROG Zephyrus G14. I like to game curled up on the couch with minimal fuss, so having a pro-tier headset I can easily plug in and get going with makes this easy.

When I want to switch things up, I can detach the microphone and use a standard single 3.5 mm connection. That flexibility means the headset works just as well with traditional audio gear as it does with modern gaming devices. It also means I don’t have to worry about a big ol’ mic dangling around in my peripheral vision while I try to focus on whatever I’m doing.

No matter what, getting connected takes mere seconds. And if I ever want to experiment with dedicated DACs or amplifiers, the Kithara’s versatile connectivity makes that easy, too. It’s a headset designed to slot naturally into almost any setup, whether you’re an elite audiophile, a proud owner of a jaw-dropping gaming battlestation, or a cozy gamer like me.

The perks of planar magnetic drivers and an open-back design

I really began to appreciate the Kithara’s audio capabilities during a tense night of Rainbow Six Siege. In a game where a single sound cue can decide the outcome of a round, clarity and positioning are everything. With the Kithara on, the game’s soundscape opened up in a way that made it easier to track exactly what was happening around me.

The headset’s 100 mm planar magnetic drivers deliver exceptional detail and separation. Footsteps on the floor above, distant gunfire echoing down a hallway, the faint rustle of an operator shifting position behind cover — every sound remained distinct and easy to place. Instead of blending together in the chaos of a firefight, audio cues stayed clean and readable, helping me react faster to threats. I still get my ass kicked on the daily, no doubt about it. But at least now I have a better auditory understanding of why I got my ass kicked. Over time, this translates to knowledge and reflex that I can use to get better — maybe even good.

The open-back design amplifies the drivers’ effects by giving sounds room to expand and dissipate naturally. Rather than feeling trapped inside the earcups, audio spreads across a wide soundstage that provides the spatial awareness I need in a tactical shooter. Environmental ambience, gadget sounds, and operator movements all occupy their own space, making the battlefield feel more dimensional and immersive.

That sonic depth adds real value in games like Siege. When I’m trying to determine whether an enemy is creeping up a staircase or moving through the next room, the Kithara’s clarity and positional accuracy make those subtle cues easier to pick out. And on a purely subjective note, I appreciate the open-back design because it avoids the feeling of entrapment that closed-back headsets cause me. Instead of feeling sealed in and claustrophobic, having my ears uncomfortably tickled by the faint echoes of sounds that should’ve escaped moments ago, I feel free. Perhaps it’s a psychological thing, but it’s kind of like picking a shirt: some days you want short sleeves so your forearms can feel the air. You know?

The open design, lightweight construction, and ear cushion options — mesh for breathability, velour for peak comfort — make the Kithara ideal for fatigue-free marathon gaming. Picky fellow that I am, I swear by the velour cushions. They’re extra soft and gentle on sensitive skin and are a premium touch I haven’t seen many headsets pack, making the Kithara experience that much more distinct. Those cushions take the Kithara from a headset that sounds better than the competition to a headset that feels better, too.

Clear comms with the MEMS boom microphone

Great gaming audio isn’t just about what I hear — it’s also about how I communicate.

The Kithara’s detachable full-band MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) boom microphone does a rock-solid job ensuring my voice comes through clearly during multiplayer sessions, capturing my voice with impressive detail. Everything from quiet callouts to energetic chatter is relayed accurately. My squad never has to ask me to repeat myself while the Kithara’s on — a nice change of pace compared to other headsets.

My old headsets’ various mics all had fatal weaknesses. Some could pick up a wide range of sounds but made it seem like I was underwater. Others relayed me clearly at normal volume but failed to capture my quietest noises or distorted my loudest ones. Serious caveats abounded. But the Kithara avoids all those pitfalls, affording me outgoing audio that just about anyone would be hard-pressed to complain about. No matter what sound I make, other people hear it as I intended. Finally, I can squad up without getting chastised by pals for dodgy audio. I can even record my voice for YouTube content and actually stand listening to it. Thanks to the Kithara, my age of compromise is over.

The HIFIMAN guarantee

All of this incredible sound comes in large part from this headset being an ROG and HIFIMAN coproduction. HIFIMAN's Stealth Magnets and Neo Supernano Diaphragm (NsD) reduce interference and boost audio clarity, augmenting the cans’ balanced sound signature. This lets me zero in on individual in-game sound effects or the instrumentation in my favorite songs, enabling me to appreciate the full impact of every cue and note. When I want a break from competitive games, the Kithara keeps my audio experience unbeatable.

Image source: Gamesplanet

If I’m playing Reanimal, I hear every wet detail of reanimated corpses’ creepy slithers as they slickly slide across metal floorboards. When listening to Crime 101’s killer synth score, my ears get the privilege of experiencing some truly rumbly, vibrating bass delivered with the utmost precision. No note overstays its welcome with these cans on. The same goes for when I’m listening to Nine Inch Nails, Daft Punk, or Nicholas Britell. No matter the artist or genre, every sound hits my ears with equal authenticity and accuracy.

Audiophile quality, gamer-grade convenience

It hasn’t always been practical to demand a gaming headset that delivers plug-and-play convenience, a quality mic, and audiophile-grade sound all in one package. A lot of the time, something has to give. But not with the ROG Kithara.

If I want to use this headset with an advanced audiophile setup, I’ll have the sound quality and connectivity options for the job. And when I want to hook this thing up to an ROG Xbox Ally, gaming PC, or smartphone, the headset will happily oblige. With the Kithara, I bring superior incoming and outgoing sound quality everywhere, turning basic YouTube browsing and Discord calls into aurally enriching experiences.

Now that I’ve experienced that kind of sound clarity, there’s no going back. And the Kithara does all this for me while also taking my comfort into consideration, featuring an adjustable headband and my choice of ear cushions. These cans keep me cozy while they take my ears to another realm, meaning I can wear ‘em for hours on end. Truly, just about everything I ask for in a gaming headset, the Kithara does with gusto. Odds are good it’ll do the same for you.

The ROG Kithara is out now and ready to revitalize your gaming soundscapes. Check your local retailers for pricing and availability and prepare for a sound experience like no other.