Picking a headset for PC usually means choosing between a flashy “gaming-first” option with loads of features, or a more studio-style headphone that’s all about sound quality. In this review I’m looking at the ASUS ROG Kithara, which is ASUS trying to bridge that gap with 100mm planar magnetic drivers developed in collaboration with HiFiMan. At £284.99 in the UK it’s firmly premium, but honestly not quite as eye-watering as I expected when I first heard “planar” and “HiFi” in the same sentence. I go over the design (very studio-looking and thankfully restrained on the gamer aesthetic), comfort, and the accessory bundle, including two sets of pads, balanced adapters and even an individual measurement/tuning card. In gaming, the Kithara delivers clean, detailed sound with great separation, making footsteps and audio cues easy to pick out, though I wouldn’t call directional audio class-leading for competitive shooters. For music, it’s genuinely great and that’s where the planar drivers really justify themselves. I also cover powering and compatibility: despite the 16-ohm rating, I found motherboard audio a bit quiet, while the included USB-C dongle helps, and a proper DAC/amp or interface makes them shine. They’re strong on PC, PlayStation and Switch, more limited on phones/laptops, and Xbox users get the short end of the stick for mic support.