Gaming
Asus ROG Kithara
83Outstanding
$300
Full review dataAsus ROG Kithara vs Audeze Penrose: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Asus ROG Kithara comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Asus ROG Kithara - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Gaming
Audeze Penrose
60Average
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Asus ROG Kithara leads on 4 of 6 measures.
- Asus ROG Kithara
- Audeze Penrose
HearWiki score
83
60
Sound
9.2
8.3
Battery
-
4.5
Calls
8.7
6.6
Value
8.4
-
Price (USD)
$300
$300
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Asus ROG Kithara is 6 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- ROG Kithara20266 yr newer
- Penrose2020
Specifications
ROG KitharaPenrose
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $300
- $300
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 60
- Released
- 2026
- 2020
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 100 mm planar magnetic
- 100 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- 100 mm
- 100 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 55 kHz
- -
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.0
- Battery life
- -
- 15 h
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Controls
- none
- -
- Weight
- 420 g
- 320 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Pad material
- leatherette
- -
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- -
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- -
- Mic sensitivity
- -36 dBV
- -
- Call noise reduction
- No
- -
What reviewers said
Asus ROG Kithara
The Asus ROG Kithara is a premium wired over-ear gaming headset built around large 100mm planar magnetic drivers, delivering a wide 8 Hz to 55 kHz frequency response. It's designed for multi-platform use (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) and includes a noise-canceling mic and RGB lighting, though it lacks active noise cancellation and any onboard controls. Its low 16-ohm impedance makes it easy to drive, but the 420g weight and non-folding design may reduce portability and comfort over long sessions.
- Pro:Large 100mm planar drivers for detailed sound
- Pro:Very low impedance (16 ohms) works with most devices
- Pro:Detachable cable for easy replacement or upgrades
- Con:Heavy at 420g, may cause fatigue during long gaming
- Con:No active noise cancellation or water resistance
- Con:No onboard controls or volume adjustment on the headset
Audeze Penrose
A wireless gaming headset built for consoles and PC, featuring large 100 mm planar magnetic drivers for detailed, low-distortion sound. It offers both a low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connection and Bluetooth 5.0 for flexibility, with a comfortable 320-gram build and around 15 hours of battery life. There is no active noise cancellation, so it relies on passive isolation from the ear pads.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and detail from planar magnetic drivers
- Pro:Dual wireless modes: low-latency 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth
- Pro:Lightweight for its driver size at 320 grams
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Bulky design may not suit all users
- Con:Battery life could be better for marathon gaming
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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