While ASUS makes some impressive gaming headphones to complement other product categories, the company also offers gamer-centric wireless earbuds. We got a chance to try out the new ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless gaming earbuds and here are our thoughts about them.
Design
Unlike other wireless earbuds in the market, the ROG Cetra True Wireless from ASUS is designed to suit the use-case of gamers and professionals alike. The stylish and futuristic design of the earbuds resembles that of the ROG laptops and peripherals. The charging case by itself weighs 42g, which is easy to carry and each of the earbuds weighs only 5g.
ASUS also ensured that both the case and the earbuds have their own RGB lighting. There is the ASUS ROG symbol and branding on the outer part of the earbuds. Both earbuds feature touch-sensitive controls to adjust different aspects of the device. With the left-sided earbuds, users will be able to switch between different audio modes such as Heavy ANC, Light ANC, Ambient mode, and ANC off. And by pressing and holding the surface for one second, you can activate the voice assistant.
With the right earbuds, you can single-press to play and pause, double-press to skip forward, triple-press to skip backward, and press and hold again for one second to activate the gaming mode. The case has a status bar on the outer front area and also another RGB lighting in the form of the ROG logo. We love the way how the RGB lighting is designed on the charging case. And the same goes for the mesh-like RGB lighting on the earbuds themselves, which isn’t usually seen on other non-gaming earbuds. The earbuds are very comfortable to wear and do not fall off while you walk or move around.
The earbuds are certified with IPX4, which indicates the device is splash-proof and water-resistant. In the box, you will find a 60cm USB-C charging cable, two pairs of ear tips, and a quick start guide. The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless is available in both black and Moonlight White.
Features
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless is designed to offer gamers the best in audio performance during their gaming sessions. Each of the earbuds features a 10mm Neodymium magnet-based audio driver that offers an impedance of 32 ohms, along with a frequency response ranging between 20Hz – 20KHz. This ensures that you get to hear most of the details of the audio, whether during gaming or while hearing your favorite music tracks.
While the earbuds depend on Bluetooth 4.0 for their wireless connectivity, ASUS has also implemented its low-latency wireless audio tech that offers better synchronization of audio with the visuals while you engage in competitive gaming sessions. It also proves that having a fast refresh rate display isn’t the only thing that matters during online gameplay.
And for an uninterrupted gaming experience, the ROG Cetra True Wireless also features Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that helps to isolate the noise from the surrounding area, as well as the audio from the earbuds themselves. Having ANC mode is also useful if you want a peaceful music experience while you commute within the city, or while traveling elsewhere. For a better audio experience that suits your liking, you can customize the audio settings with the equalizer via the Armoury Crate application on your smartphone, along with options to choose other modes such as gaming mode and virtual surround sound.
ASUS mentions that the earbuds are compatible to use with PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and other Bluetooth devices. ASUS has also ensured that the earbuds also offer a considerable battery life for users and gamers alike. With ANC turned on, the battery life can last up to 22 hours, and this includes 5 hours from the earbuds and 17 hours with the charging case. And with ANC turned off, the battery life lasts longer up to 27 hours, which includes up to 5.5 hours with the earbuds and 21.5 hours with the case. The earbuds also offer quick-charge technology via USB-C port, where charging just for 10 minutes offers up to 1.5 hours of playtime.
Verdict
If you’re looking for good gaming earbuds that can be used for both normal smartphone usage as well as gaming on your portable devices, game consoles, and PC, then take a look at the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds. The earbuds feature a stylish and ergonomic design that fits your ears comfortably. The design resembles most ROG products, along with RGB lighting on both the earbuds and also on the charging case. The earbuds are also compatible with a variety of platforms, such as PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, and more.
The device features 10mm Neodymium magnet-based audio drivers that offer good audio quality, along with 32 ohms impedance, and a 20Hz – 20KHz frequency response. The Hybrid ANC helps to cancel out most of the noise from inside and outside the earbuds for an uninterrupted gaming and music experience. There is also the low-latency connection that ensures both the visuals and audio are synced during competitive gameplay. With the combined battery life of the earbuds and the charging case, users will be able to use the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless for almost an entire day.