Open-ear gaming audio is having a massive moment, and ASUS wants a cut of the premium market with its new $229.99 ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds. Rather than jamming silicone into your ear canal, these rest outside the ear using liquid silicone hooks. It is a bold move at this price point, catering specifically to players who despise ear fatigue during marathon gaming sessions.
This open-air approach means you won't lose situational awareness, whether you are dodging traffic outside or listening for the doorbell between matches. ASUS smartly opted for tactile physical buttons instead of finicky touch sensors, so sweaty fingers or light rain won't ruin your inputs. They even threw in a detachable reflective neck strap for added security during actual workouts.
Dual-Mode Connectivity and Passthrough Charging
The real selling point here is the dual-mode wireless capability. You get standard Bluetooth for your phone and a low-latency ROG SpeedNova 2.4GHz connection for actual gaming. The included USB-C dongle handles the 2.4GHz signal and conveniently features built-in USB passthrough charging.
That passthrough port is a massive win for handheld gamers, letting you charge a ROG Ally or Steam Deck without dropping your audio feed. Currently, the 2.4GHz mode works out of the box on PC, Mac, and PlayStation. Android and iOS devices are stuck with Bluetooth for now, though ASUS promises an update will unlock 2.4GHz for Android later this year.
High-Fidelity Audio and AI Noise Cancelation
Inside the shell are 14.2mm diamond-like carbon (DLC) drivers that ASUS claims provide crisp highs and a spacious soundstage. However, open-ear designs notoriously bleed audio and struggle with low-end punch compared to sealed-in competitors like the Sony INZONE Buds or Razer Hammerhead Pro. ASUS tries to compensate for this physical limitation using a directional sound design and a software trick called "Phantom Bass" via its Gear Link app.
The app also features an Immersion Mode, which applies active noise reduction techniques to minimize ambient distractions. Voice comms are handled by a quad-mic array equipped with AI Noise Cancelation to filter out background clatter. We will have to test if this software magic actually keeps your multiplayer calls clear when the physical design is intentionally letting the outside world in.
Battery Life and Gamer-Centric Features
ASUS claims the earbuds can hit up to 16 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. Factoring in three extra charges from the case, you are looking at a maximum of 64 hours away from a wall outlet. Unsurprisingly, hitting those lofty battery numbers means you have to keep power-hungry features like RGB lighting and specialized audio modes firmly switched off.
The hardware carries an IPX5 water resistance rating, which is plenty for basic sweat and accidental spills. Naturally, ASUS stuffed Aura RGB lighting onto the buds, offering four preset effects and 16.8 million colors. It is a flashy aesthetic touch, but at $230, buyers will care far more about whether the open-ear acoustic compromises are actually worth the ergonomic comfort.