ASUS ROG Kithara Gaming/Audiophile Open-Back Wired Headphones with Mic
- Headset
- Planar Magnetic Driver
- Touch
- 1
A genuine audiophile-leaning open-back headphone with gaming touches, best matched to a buyer who already has an amp or DAC to drive it properly.
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How it ranks among the 18 headsets we track
4.2★ across 140 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
140 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
400+ bought on Amazon last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 18 headsets we track - how the scorecard works · full headsets data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Updated 6 days ago. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
The ROG Kithara is a wired, open-back gaming headphone built around 100mm HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers tuned by ASUS, with a boom microphone and adapters for balanced, single-ended and USB-C connections.
Open-back planar drivers are a different proposition than the sealed gaming headsets most buyers are used to: the tradeoff is a wider, more natural soundstage in exchange for sound leaking out and less isolation from room noise. Bundling a 4.4mm balanced plug alongside 3.5mm, 6.3mm and USB-C options signals this is meant to sit on real desktop amps and DACs, not just a console controller jack.
- 100mm ROG-tuned HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers
- 8Hz to 55kHz rated frequency response
- Metal frame and hinges
- Extra ear pads included
Who it's for
Suits a buyer who already has, or wants, a headphone amp or DAC and cares about soundstage and detail as much as gaming features, across PC, console or mobile. Not the pick for anyone who needs noise isolation in a shared room, since open-back designs leak sound both ways.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Open-back planar magnetic drivers for a wide soundstage
- 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm, 6.3mm and USB-C connections included
- Boom microphone for voice chat
- Eight-level adjustable headband and extra ear pads included
- Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Needs a capable source or amp to show its best performance
Performance notes
The 100mm planar magnetic drivers are tuned by ASUS's ROG team for a wide soundstage with separation across bass, mids and treble, rated by the listing to an extended 8Hz to 55kHz range. The boom microphone covers a 20Hz to 20kHz range with a high signal-to-noise ratio for voice pickup. Included plugs cover 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm and 6.3mm single-ended jacks plus a USB-C adapter, so the same headphone can move between a desktop amp, a phone and a console.
Specifications
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Model | A702 ROG KITHARA/BLK |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 11.2 ounces |
| Audio Driver Size | 2 inches |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Noise Control | None |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Battery Average Life | 70 hours |
| Construction & materials | |
| Enclosure Material | Metal, Fabric, Leatherette/Velour |
| Color | Black |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Compatible Devices | Support Platform PC MAC PlayStation® 4 PlayStation® 5 Nintendo Switch iPad iOS Android * Compatible with Xbox consoles via 3.5mm connection |
| Connectivity Technology | USB-C to Dual 3.5mm adapter |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Audio Driver Type | Planar Magnetic Driver |
| Control Type | Touch |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Frequency Response | 8 hertz |
| BuiltIn Media | 2x ear cushion sets: 1x ROG hybrid fabric set, 1x ROG leatherette set, Dual 3.5mm with 3-in-1(3.5/6.3mm single-ended, 4.4mmbalanced) plug cable (1.8m), Dual 3.5mm-to-dual 3.5mm boom mic cable (1.8m), ROG Kithara open-back planar magnetic gaming headset, USB-C to Dual 3.5mm adaptor |
| Headphone Jack | 3.5 mm Jack, 6.35 mm Jack, 4.4 mm Jack, USB-C |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Wireless Technology | USB-C to Dual 3.5mm adapter |
| Earpiece Shape | Oval |
| Headphone Folding Features | Over Ear |
| Specific Uses For Product | Business, Entertainment, Gaming |
| Headphones Ear Placement | On Ear |
| Additional Features | Connectors: 3.5mm/4.4mm/6.3mm, USB-C adapter, Extra Ear Cushion, Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20KHz, On-cable Full band Boom microphone, Support Platform PC MAC PlayStation® 4 PlayStation® 5 Nintendo Switch iPad iOS Android * Compatible with Xbox consoles via 3.5mm connection |
| Antenna Location | Gaming, Office Meetings, Studio |
Other ASUS headsets
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in headsets.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Kithara Gaming/Audiophile Open-Back Wired Headphones with MicThis product | 4.2 / 5 | 140 | 4.0 / 5 |
| HyperX Cloud III - Wired Gaming Headset, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Angled 53mm Drivers…HyperX | 4.3 / 5 | 12,400 | 4.6 / 5 |
| BENGOO G1 60H Wireless Gaming Headset with RGB Lights & Mic for PS5 PS4 PCBENGOO | 4.3 / 5 | 18,200 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming HeadsetLogitech | 4.3 / 5 | 375 | 4.2 / 5 |
| UPERGO Walnut Headphone Stand with Controller Holder & Storage BaseUPERGO | 4.8 / 5 | 267 | 4.2 / 5 |
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Questions about the ASUS A702 ROG KITHARA/BLK
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Is the ASUS ROG Kithara a wireless headphone?
No, it is a wired headphone, connecting via 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm, 6.3mm or USB-C depending on the source.
Does the ROG Kithara work with a games console?
Yes, the included plugs and USB-C adapter are built for compatibility with PC, consoles and mobile devices as well as dedicated DACs and amps.
Is the ROG Kithara open-back or closed-back?
It is open-back, which gives a wider soundstage but does not isolate outside noise or contain sound.