While ASUS ROG offers great gaming keyboards, mice, and headphones, the company also recently released some impressive gaming earbuds. We now try out the new ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova, and here are our thoughts about the earbuds.
While the new Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova looks almost the same as the older Cetra True Wireless earbuds, the new model comes with new improvements in terms of design and functionality. The new earbuds come in two different color options: Moonlight White and Black. As you can see, we received the black model for review.
While the main earbud case still comes with the same ROG lighting effects, ASUS added new backlit ROG lighting effects to the earbuds too, something that was not there on the previous Cetra True Wireless. The ROG fonts on the stem of the earbuds are now in a slanting position, as compared to the previous generation.
The lighting effects on the stem of the earbuds are now located parallel to the ROG branding. We also love how light the earbuds are and how easy it is to put it on, without the need to fiddle for a secure fit. The design of the earbuds was indeed made with gamers in mind. We should also mention that the area where the ROG logo is located on both the earbuds, is a touch-sensitive surface, used for controls such as activating/disable ANC, ambient mode, voice assistant, pairing mode, and volume controls.
The USB-C connector of the charging case is located on the rear side. The earbuds also come with a 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle for wireless connections. The wireless dongle is easy to connect with compatible devices and instantly connects with the earbuds.
ASUS mentions that the dongle uses the ROG SpeedNova wireless technology that optimizes the 2.4 GHz band for ultra-low latency audio performance, while maintaining a stable connection. It also delivers a more power-efficient wireless connection when compared to other 2.4 GHz dongles.
The contents of the packaging include the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earbuds, the charging case, the ROG SpeedNova 2.4 GHz wireless dongle, a USB-C to UCS-A adapter, a charging cable, three different sizes of ear tips, and product documents.
The new SpeedNova variant of the ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds feature 10mm neodymium magnets that are capable of 32 ohms headphone impedance, and a frequency response that ranges between 20 Hz – 40 kHz. The earbuds also sport Omnidirectional microphones, along with a pickup sensitivity of -38 dB.
The ANC functionality of the earbuds is optimized based on the in-ear fit and shape of the user’s ear canal. The ambient noise levels are also automatically adjusted, based on the surroundings. ASUS also mentions that the device has support for High-resolution 24-bit 96 kHz audio content, thanks to the implementation of Dirac Opteo technology. Users will also be able to tune the EQ setting with the ASUS Crate application, perform firmware updates, and change device settings.
In terms of connectivity, ASUS states that the device can be connected to two devices simultaneously via 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth modes. When it comes to battery life, the earbuds are capable of lasting up to 46 hours, when using Bluetooth mode (ANC and RGB turned off). And when keeping ANC and RGB on with Bluetooth, the earbuds and the charging case combined, can last up to 26 hours. If we repeat the same case with WiFi connection, the device can last up to 20 hours of use. During our time, the earbuds were able to last for almost an entire day, regardless of the connection type that was used.
Verdict
For those looking for good gaming earbuds, we recommend the new ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova. The new earbuds are a direct successor to the older ROG Cetra True Wireless, offering improvements in terms of performance and design. The earbuds now come with RGB lighting, and the product comes in Moonlight White and Black color options. The ANC is capable of auto-optimizing its settings based on the user’s ear shape. The earbuds can be connected either via Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless connection with the included SpeedNova USB-C dongle.
The earbuds also come with 10mm neodymium magnets, a headphone impedance of 32 ohms, and a 20 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response. The omnidirectional microphones feature a sensitivity of -38 dB. The device features Dirac Opteo technology with support for 24-bit 96 kHz audio. The new ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5 consoles. And the battery can last up to 46 hours, depending on the settings and connection type.