# ASUS ROG Kithara

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/products/asus-rog-kithara
- Category board: https://stierproducts.com/categories/gaming-headsets
- Placement: #17 of 27 in Gaming Headsets, C tier
- Brand: ASUS
- LP on this board: 423
- Last researched: 2026-09-10T04:56:10.764Z
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Dataset: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22062813 - every board at once, one dated snapshot per release, same licence, prices and photographs left out
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

## Verdict

The widest hype-to-consensus gap on the board: specialist raves exist, but RTINGS' measured review flags leakage, poor noise blocking and an unstable fit. The Audeze Maxwell 2 delivers the audiophile pitch without the practical flaws.

## For

- Strong detail retrieval and soundstage
- HIFIMAN-collab open-back that converted a self-described gaming-headset skeptic
- Ranked #1 for competitive FPS by Stream Tech Reviews

## Against

- Does not block background noise
- Leaks audio out
- Unstable fit
- Open-back audiophile design marketed as a mainstream gaming headset
- Its price caps its breadth beyond a niche audience

## Flagged as one to avoid

This product entered 1 of 2 runs as one buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. It is published here rather than dropped.

## Evidence

Consolidated from 51 cited sources across 45 outlets

| Outlet | Said by | Stance | Link | Link status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RTINGS | - | D | https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/asus/rog-kithara | fetched and confirmed |
| GStyleMag | - | C | https://gstylemag.com/2026/02/17/rog-kithara-gaming-headset-audiophiles-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| TechPorn | techporn.ph | A | https://www.techporn.ph/asus-rog-kithara-planar-magnetic-gaming-headset-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Audiophile Sound for PC Gamers | tweaktown.com | B | https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/11423/asus-rog-kithara-gaming-headset-audiophile-sound-for-pc-gamers/index.html | fetched and confirmed |
| ecoustics.com | Aaron Sigal | C | https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/asus-rog-kithara-gaming-headset/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | Jhaycee Calvez | C | https://www.soundguys.com/hifiman-rog-kithara-review-151437/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Subscribers | Kevin Lee | B | https://www.theshortcut.com/p/asus-rog-kithara-gaming-headset-hands-on-review | fetched and confirmed |
| Basic Tutorials | basic-tutorials.com | B | https://basic-tutorials.com/reviews/peripherals/asus-rog-kithara-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Tbreak Media UAE | tbreak.com | C | https://tbreak.com/asus-rog-kithara-review-superb-sound-tricky-comfort/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Tom's Hardware | tomshardware.com | - | https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/gaming-headsets/asus-teams-up-with-hifiman-for-planar-magnetic-rog-kithara-gaming-headset-extremely-comfortable-and-excellent-audio-for-a-price | fetched and confirmed |
| Bonus Action | Laura Gray | C | https://bonus-action.com/review/asus-rog-kithara-gaming-headphones-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Techgoondu | techgoondu.com | C | https://www.techgoondu.com/2026/02/06/asus-rog-kithara-review-audiophile-gaming-headset-with-planar-magnetic-drivers/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Overclocking.com EN | Nico_CPK | B | https://en.overclocking.com/test-asus-rog-kithara/ | fetched and confirmed |
| CGMagazine | Matt Keith | C | https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/asus-rog-kithara-gaming-headset/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Androidheadlines | androidheadlines.com | C | https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/04/asus-rog-kithara-review-sound-that-brings-game-audio-to-life.html | fetched and confirmed |
| Kim Digital | Kim Digital | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laI_Nl_Bwfs | fetched and confirmed |
| StreamTechReviews | - | C | https://www.streamtechreviews.com/blog/kithara | fetched and confirmed |
| Headphonesty | headphonesty.com | C | https://www.headphonesty.com/2026/01/best-audio-gear-ces-2026/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SML Tech EN | SML Tech EN | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0iY5e5RQOs | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4IRBZZwSS0 | fetched and confirmed |
| NAG | NAG | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnegSQ9YyMg | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7d23qUSBqY | fetched and confirmed |
| GGChrono | GGChrono | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGbJx71bc6c | fetched and confirmed |
| Blink Gaming & Gadgets | Blink Gaming & Gadgets | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmrlepL8zbI | fetched and confirmed |
| Micro Center | Micro Center | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5fESI8IZSs | fetched and confirmed |
| Happy Mag | Happy Mag | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95bd5Ud5J_A | fetched and confirmed |
| GadgetsFlow | GadgetsFlow | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_SYcHX1nLo | fetched and confirmed |
| GGF Events | GGF Events | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA4rt-xpSTw | fetched and confirmed |
| ROG Global | ROG Global | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z30RtRHe_CE | fetched and confirmed |
| ROG Global | ROG Global | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcbKMcWTlF8 | fetched and confirmed |
| TechNest | TechNest | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWs84gZUZTU | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Hunter | Tech Hunter | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7qRqe1EFw4 | fetched and confirmed |
| ZoneOfGadgets | ZoneOfGadgets | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_-jfS3_bGY | fetched and confirmed |
| ROG Global | ROG Global | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbiIf8DXrWs | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech with Segnar | Tech with Segnar | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX3EMN4XYqE | fetched and confirmed |
| Jake Technos | Jake Technos | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHzdlcCMPlg | fetched and confirmed |
| r/headphones | u/Ill-Basket4769 | B | https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1r5cloa/experience_with_the_rog_kithara/ | fetched and confirmed |
| ROG Global | ROG Global | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FuiY-1WWDc | fetched and confirmed |
| Kylomi_ | Kylomi_ | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e5iZxSJq9E | fetched and confirmed |
| Game One PH | Game One PH | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xf1LD7hTG8 | fetched and confirmed |
| TechByte | TechByte | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xTJjqP0Vcc | fetched and confirmed |
| Instagram | - | C | https://www.instagram.com/p/DXoq9P5lwSw/?img_index=8 | fetched and confirmed |
| r/ASUSROG | u/f1rstdawn | B | https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUSROG/comments/1t79lzs/after_3_months_of_gaming_on_the_rog_kithara/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Forbes | Mark Sparrow | B | https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2026/02/02/rog-kithara-brings-audiophile-sound-to-gaming-with-a-new-planar-magnetic-headset/ | fetched and confirmed |
| GameSpace.com | Mitchell Gassner | B | https://gamespace.com/reviews/rog-kithara-and-cetra-review-great-headset-forgettable-earbuds/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Facebook | - | B | https://www.facebook.com/BoxLimited/posts/unboxing-the-asus-rog-kithara-gaming-headset-gamingaccessories-this-headset-is-p/1493965032757505/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Stream Tech Reviews by BadIntent | BadIntent | C | https://www.streamtechreviews.com/blog/top5headsets | fetched and confirmed |
| Forbes | Mark Sparrow | - | https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2026/03/07/rog-kithara-headset-promises-a-massive-sound-upgrade-for-gamers/ | fetched and confirmed |
| TechRadar | techradar.com | B | https://www.techradar.com/gaming/asus-rog-kithara-review | fetched and confirmed |
| TechRadar | techradar.com | B | https://www.techradar.com/news/best-xbox-series-x-headsets-the-top-xbox-series-x-gaming-headsets | fetched and confirmed |
| Windows Central | windowscentral.com | C | https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/asus-rog-kithara-review-an-audiophile-headset-with-secondary-gaming-features | fetched and confirmed |

## Nearest alternatives on this board

| Rank | Product | Tier | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 12 | HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/hyperx-cloud-stinger-3-wireless |
| 13 | Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/logitech-g-pro-x-2-lightspeed |
| 14 | Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/beyerdynamic-mmx-300-pro |
| 15 | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/razer-blackshark-v3-pro |
| 16 | HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/hyperx-cloud-stinger-2 |
| 18 | Logitech G432 | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/logitech-g432 |
| 19 | Logitech G Astro A10 Gen 2 | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/logitech-g-astro-a10-gen-2 |
| 20 | HyperX Cloud Alpha | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/hyperx-cloud-alpha |
| 21 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/steelseries-arctis-nova-elite |
| 22 | Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/turtle-beach-stealth-700-gen-3 |

The full board is at https://stierproducts.com/categories/gaming-headsets.

## What this tier means

- C: Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is this product's points on its own category ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Link status reports what our pre-publication link check found when it fetched the cited URL. It says nothing about the quality of the review.
- A citation with no usable link is listed rather than dropped, and is excluded from the counted total above.

## Image

https://stspimgdevmfyk46r5vwkay.blob.core.windows.net/images/products/asus-rog-kithara.webp

Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.