Asus ROG Kithara: First Unboxing of the Gaming Headset Appears Online

The Asus ROG Kithara has received its first unboxing in China, the country where the popular planar magnetic headphone manufacturer HIFIMAN originated. In case you didn’t know, this headphone was developed in partnership with HIFIMAN, as Hi-Fi Hub showed in the launch news. The images were published by a user on the Chinese social network Weibo, where he stated that a full review should be done in a few days.

Asus ROG Kithara Unboxing Experience

According to the user “Sir Lin” on Weibo, the unboxing experience of the Asus ROG Kithara “combines the detailed operation guide typical of gaming peripherals with the ‘ritual’ and sense of immersion that Hi-Fi headphones naturally provide.”

Below is an image of a sheet placed on top of the product and its accessories, allowing the user to see the usage instructions even before touching it. In the photo, the focus is on the instructions for handling the cable with microphone, but of course there is other information as well.

After removing the “quick guide,” it is possible to see the Kithara gaming headset, the modular cable plugs, and the USB-C adapter with 3.5 mm outputs for headphones and microphone.

In the image below, you can see the modular cable, which is braided and uses 3.5 mm plugs to connect to the headset. Note that this cable does not include a microphone, and there is a second cable that features two separate connectors for audio and microphone transmission.

Next is a photo of the cable dedicated only to audio transmission and the cable with microphone.

Here it is possible to see the removable cable system of the ROG Kithara. Notice that the headset’s female connectors are angled to prevent the cable from resting along the shoulder line, making usage more comfortable.

Lin adds that “it is very easy to notice the level of build quality” of the Kithara, and that it is possible to see that the “product has been refined to a very delicate and well-finished level.” Below you can see a close-up image of the gaming headset.

To provide isolation and thermal comfort, the outer part of the ear pads is made of synthetic leather, while the area that comes into contact with the user’s skin is made of a sports fabric, which handles sweat better and does not heat up as much as leather.

Asus ROG Kithara – Specifications

• Driver: Planar magnetic with a 100 mm diaphragm
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Weight: 420 g

About the name Kithara

The Asus ROG Kithara is called “Zhenshi” in China, and it is not uncommon to see name adaptations for the Western market, as they do not always make sense outside Asia or the country of origin (China, in this case).

Release, price, and availability

The Asus ROG Kithara has a suggested price of US$ 359, but a release date has not yet been announced. Its main competitor is the Audeze Maxwell II, which was recently launched for US$ 329.