Verdict
Asus ROG Kithara: verdict
The Asus ROG Kithara headset attempts an impossible great leap between the worlds of hi-fi and gaming. Two worlds with sometimes radically opposed needs and expectations. And it has some serious trump cards up its sleeve to achieve this.
With the exception of its sometimes forced highs, musical listening is always pleasant and representative of what planar headphones in its category have to offer. It can be powered by a simple 3.5 mm jack (laptop, console, etc.), but is much more powerful with a dedicated source.
Solo games are also a real pleasure, thanks to its wide soundstage. It shines less brightly in competitive games, a category in which it is nevertheless able to use the built-in microphone, a real plus for gamers.
The overall result is therefore very good, but raises a question: who is the Kithara intended for?
Who’s it for?
The partnership between Asus and Hifiman, however pertinent, places the Kithara in direct competition with its partner’s models. The Ananda Stealth Magnet, with very similar performance, is available for €259. The Hifiman Edition XS costs €219. How can we justify the €319 price tag for the Asus model?
In gaming, the promised supremacy of competitive gaming will remain a marketing argument, but we’ll be remembering superb immersion for single-player games. Here again, the Hifiman models mentioned above offer the same thing.
The ROG Kithara has one major argument left: it does everything. Out of the box, it offers a multitude of connectors, accessories, a good-quality microphone and a USB-C DAC. It could therefore be the ideal choice for those wishing to invest in their audio setup , but don’t yet own any components. In this respect, it’s less expensive. Indeed, the purchase of a sound card, USB microphone and planar headphones will exceed the €319 budget. It’s also an excellent entry into the world of Hifi for curious gamers.
Competitive gamers will skip it, and concentrate on models dedicated to the demands of their gameplay. Likewise, Hifi enthusiasts already equipped with high-performance external sources will prefer a less expensive Hifiman model, with settings that are often less flattering, but more analytical.
Those for whom a wireless connection is essential might consider the Audeze Maxwell, the second version of which has just been announced. It too attempts to position itself as the missing Hifi/gaming link. It is generally much more expensive than the ROG Kithara.
Conclusion
Asus and Hifiman sign a successful collaboration. The ROG Kithara allows gamers to take their first step into the world of Hifi, and does so in all seriousness. Unfortunately for it, its main competition comes directly from other Hifiman models. It remains to be seen whether it will find its audience, first-time buyers of this type of model looking for a plug & play solution and not yet owning a dedicated audio setup.
For more information, see the Asus product sheet.
