Gaming
Asus ROG Kithara
83Outstanding
$300
Full review dataAsus ROG Kithara vs JBL Quantum 950: 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
JBL Quantum 950
79Great
$330
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Asus ROG Kithara leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- Asus ROG Kithara
- JBL Quantum 950
HearWiki score
83
79
Sound
9.2
8.6
Noise cancelling
-
8.4
Battery
-
9.5
Calls
8.7
7.8
Value
8.4
8.0
Price (USD)
$300
$330
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?
Half a step newer
Asus ROG Kithara (2026) against JBL Quantum 950 (2025). The JBL Quantum 950 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- ROG Kithara20261 yr newer
- Quantum 9502025
What differsROG KitharaQuantum 950
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Level on: USB-C.
Specifications
ROG KitharaQuantum 950
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $300
- $330
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 79
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 100 mm planar magnetic
- 50 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 100 mm
- 50 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 55 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- 101 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Battery life
- -
- 30 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 20 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Controls
- none
- -
- Weight
- 420 g
- 398 g
- Case weight
- -
- 173 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- leatherette
- -
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Model code
- -
- JBLQTUM950BLK
- Microphones
- 1
- 1
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- -
- Mic sensitivity
- -36 dBV
- -
- Call noise reduction
- No
- -
What reviewers said
Asus ROG Kithara
The Asus ROG Kithara is a wired over-ear gaming headset built around a large 100mm planar magnetic driver, delivering a wide frequency response from 8 Hz to 55 kHz. It includes a noise-canceling MEMS microphone and RGB lighting, with broad compatibility across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Its low 16-ohm impedance makes it easy to drive, though it lacks active noise cancellation and onboard controls.
- Pro:Large 100mm planar magnetic driver for detailed sound
- Pro:Very low 16-ohm impedance, easy to power with most devices
- Pro:Wide frequency response up to 55 kHz
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No onboard controls for volume or mute
- Con:Non-foldable design may limit portability
JBL Quantum 950
The JBL Quantum 950 is a wireless over-ear gaming headset that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a 50mm dynamic driver for immersive sound. It supports both Bluetooth 5.3 and a low-latency 2.4GHz connection, plus multipoint for easy device switching. With up to 30 hours of battery life (20 with ANC on), it's built for long gaming sessions.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC for immersive gaming and focus
- Pro:Versatile wireless: Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz
- Pro:Multipoint lets you switch between devices
- Con:Heavy at 398g for extended wear
- Con:No water resistance for sweat or spills
- Con:Only one mic for voice capture
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.