Asus debuts ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds

We've seen plenty of wireless earbuds marketed towards the gaming crowd over the years but open-ear designed earbuds have not really been a thing in the gaming market. That is changing this year with the launch of the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds. 

The hardware design is particularly clever, with the included USB-C 2.4GHz dongle featuring a one-way passthrough charging port, making it a lifesaver for users of the ROG Ally, Steam Deck, or smartphones who usually have to choose between low-latency audio and keeping their device sufficiently charged. The earbuds use 14.2mm diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated drivers, which should help stop bass frequencies from ‘leaking', which is common in open-ear earbuds.

Asus has opted for physical tactile buttons rather than touch sensors, which often fail during a rainy run or a particularly intense gaming session. With an IPX5 rating, these buds are clearly built to survive the transition from a PC desk to a morning jog. While the 16-hour battery life (in Bluetooth mode) isn't record-breaking, the 15-minute quick charge for 3 hours of playback provides a solid safety net for most daily commutes.

Despite its open design, the Cetra uses a specially designed ANC named Immersion Mode. For audio, instead of completely shutting out the outside world, Immersion Mode is designed to filter out basic, constant, low-to-mid-frequency ambient noise due to the open-ear design. As for calls, it has 4 integrated microphones with AI noise cancellation to ensure your voice is unique and clear.

KitGuru says: Open wireless earbuds aren't that common in the gaming space, but if you're considering one for their versatility, the Cetra might be worth looking into.

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