ROG Kithara Gaming Headset with Planar Magnetic Drivers Announced for Crowdfunding, Featuring Hi-Fi Audio in Collaboration with HIFIMAN

ROG and HIFIMAN Partner to Launch Next-Generation Gaming Headset: ROG Kithara

ASUS’s gaming brand, Republic of Gamers (ROG), has announced the domestic release of the “ROG Kithara,” its first gaming headset to feature planar magnetic drivers. This innovative headset, developed in partnership with HIFIMAN, a highly acclaimed manufacturer in the planar magnetic headphone field, is designed to provide audiophile-grade Hi-Fi sound and precise spatial audio for an immersive gaming experience. The ROG Kithara will be available through a crowdfunding campaign on GREEN FUNDING, with the project scheduled to commence on February 20, 2026.

Product Features

The ROG Kithara integrates high-fidelity audio with the precision required for gaming, offering a new level of auditory engagement.

• Audiophile-Grade Sound: Equipped with HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers custom-tuned for ROG, the headset delivers high-precision sound imaging and low distortion, supporting an ultra-wide frequency response from 8Hz to 55kHz.

• Open-Back Design: The open-back structure creates a spacious, three-dimensional soundstage and excellent sound separation, enhancing spatial awareness and immersion.

• Integrated Full-Band MEMS Boom Microphone: Supporting a wide frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, the microphone ensures clear voice communication with minimal distortion.

• Interchangeable Headphone Cables: The headset offers compatibility with various devices through interchangeable plugs, supporting 4.4mm balanced, and 3.5mm/6.3mm unbalanced connections.

For more product details, please visit the official page: https://rog.asus.com/jp/headsets-audio/headsets/3-5mm-headsets/rog-kithara/

Immersive Gaming Sound

The ROG Kithara features 100mm HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers specifically customized for ROG. This planar magnetic technology uniformly drives the entire diaphragm, suppressing unwanted resonances and achieving exceptionally clean and precise sound. It reproduces deep, smooth bass and clear, extended treble, accurately rendering subtle audio nuances like gunshots and footsteps. This combination aims to provide a competitive edge in gaming and a highly immersive experience.

Spatial Sound with Open-Back Design

Adopting an open-back structure, the ROG Kithara allows sound waves to pass naturally, reducing unwanted reflections and resonances. This design minimizes sound muddiness often associated with closed-back headsets, creating a wide and open soundstage with a balanced reproduction of low, mid, and high frequencies. Additionally, the left and right drivers are strictly matched for consistent frequency response, ensuring accurate stereo imaging and high sound separation.

Clear Voice Communication

The ROG Kithara includes a full-band MEMS boom microphone. To prevent crosstalk common in traditional analog headsets, the design separates voice and microphone signals. The high SNR MEMS microphone suppresses background noise, enabling natural and clear voice chat.

Versatile Connectivity

The headset comes with interchangeable plugs featuring high-quality OFC balanced cables. It supports 4.4mm balanced connections, as well as 3.5mm and 6.3mm unbalanced connections, ensuring broad compatibility with devices such as DACs, amplifiers, PCs, Macs, mobile devices, and game consoles. A USB Type-C to dual 3.5mm adapter is also included for laptops and mobile devices.

Comfort and Durability

Constructed with a metal frame and robust hinge structure, the ROG Kithara offers high durability. An 8-stage adjustable headband and low-rebound ear pads provide comfortable wear during extended use. The headset also includes both leatherette + fabric and velour earcups, allowing users to customize the fit to their preference.

Pre-Experience at Winter Headphone Festival mini 2026

The ROG Kithara will be showcased at the “Winter Headphone Festival mini 2026” on February 7, 2026 (Saturday), at the GREEN FUNDING booth. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the sound quality produced by ROG’s first planar magnetic drivers and the expansive soundstage of its open-back design prior to the crowdfunding launch.

This event offers a valuable opportunity for audio enthusiasts to directly assess the ROG Kithara’s sound localization, spatial representation, and Hi-Fi audio quality. Visitors are encouraged to experience the ROG Kithara firsthand at the venue.

• Event Name: Winter Headphone Festival mini 2026

• Exhibition Booth: GREEN FUNDING Booth (6th Floor Foyer ②)

• Date & Time: February 7, 2026 (Saturday), 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM

• Location: Station Conference Tokyo 6F (1-7-12 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Sapia Tower)

Crowdfunding Project Overview (GREEN FUNDING)

• ROG Kithara Project Announcement Page: https://greenfunding.jp/portals/pages/ROGKithara_9240

• Campaign Period: February 19, 2026 (Thursday) 11:00 AM – April 20, 2026 (Monday) 11:59 PM

• Pre-registration Start Date: February 4, 2026 (Wednesday) (via LINE friend addition)

• ROG Kithara Project Page: https://greenfunding.jp/lab/projects/9240/

  • The project page is scheduled to be publicly available on February 19, 2026 (Thursday) at 11:00 AM.

  • Return Plans (Example):

  • 85-hour limited, first 100 people: 24% OFF (until February 22, 2026 (Sunday) 11:59 PM)

    • Delivery scheduled sequentially from March 2026.
      • Super Early Bird: 20% OFF (limited to first 80 people)

  • 2-unit Super Early Bird: 23% OFF (limited to first 50 people)

    • Delivery scheduled sequentially from May 2026.
    • Expected General Retail Price: 53,980 yen (tax included)

Product Exhibitions During Crowdfunding Period

• Tsutaya Electrics Plus (Tokyo)

  • Exhibition Period: February 20, 2026 (Friday) – March 20, 2026 (Friday)

  • Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  • Address: Futako Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center Terrace Market 1F, 1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo https://store.tsite.jp/tsutayaelectricsplus-futako/

• SHIBUYA TSUTAYA 4th Floor SHARE LOUNGE (GREEN FUNDING “TOUCH & TRY” Booth) (Tokyo)

  • Exhibition Period: February 6, 2026 (Friday) – March 5, 2026 (Thursday)

  • Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

  • Address: SHIBUYA TSUTAYA 4F SHARE LOUNGE, GREEN FUNDING TOUCH&TRY Booth, 21-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo https://shibuyatsutaya.tsite.jp/

Product Overview

• Product Name: ROG Kithara

• Sales Method: Crowdfunding (GREEN FUNDING)

• Project Start Date: February 20, 2026 (Friday)

• Connection Method: Wired (3.5mm)

• Supported Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch, smartphones, tablets, and other devices equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack.

• Driver: 100mm Planar Magnetic driver

• Microphone: On-cable full-band MEMS boom microphone

• Structure: Open-back design

• Weight: Approximately 420g

• Accessories:

  • 3-in-1 interchangeable plug headphone cable (3.5mm/6.3mm/4.4mm)

  • Dual 3.5mm boom microphone cable

  • USB Type-C to dual 3.5mm adapter

  • Replacement ear pads (velour/leatherette + fabric)

  • Quick start guide/warranty card

About Republic of Gamers (ROG)

Republic of Gamers (ROG) is a gaming brand from ASUS that offers a wide range of products, including PCs, headsets, monitors, and earphones, providing comprehensive gaming solutions. The brand’s philosophy, reflected in its name, is to “create a republic for gamers, where people who love games gather to build an enjoyable nation.” ROG’s innovative technologies and its philosophy of “Start with People: product development centered on people” have received recognition across various fields.

• ROG Official Website: https://rog.asus.com/jp/

• ROG JAPAN Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/ASUSROGJP

About ASUS

ASUS is a global technology leader providing innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions that enrich the lives of people worldwide. With a team of 5,000 research and development specialists, ASUS consistently earns over 11 awards daily for quality, innovation, and design, and has been named one of Fortune magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies.”

• ASUS Official Website: https://www.asus.com/jp/

• ASUS JAPAN Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/ASUSJapan