General Headphone Audio

Timber · 2 Feb 2026 at 21:46

Timber said:
New Hifiman Planar this time in partnership with ASUS ROG branding; ASUS ROG Kithara - 420g & $359

Bumped into this from https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1q52mmp/asus_rog_x_hifiman_kithara_announced/

I guess with this CES underway in Las Vegas we are seeing some new audio tech, which maybe explains the timing on that new Luxsin Audio X8 DAC/AMP talked about in the other thread.

Embargo must have lifted on these today. Now reduced to $299. GadgetryTech Review and Headphone Show reviews both popped up in my Youtube feed (other reviews out there too).

Overclockers is one of the official retailers: ASUS ROG Kithara Open Back HIFIMAN Planar Magentic Driver Wired Gaming Headset - Black - £284.99

Seems to review well and compares favourably with the Edition XV, perhaps with better comfort and cleaner frequency response (less modal behaviours as they put it). Includes a few bits in the box; USB DAC, two cables, two pads. Mic doesn't sound to be the best though.

I'm not necessarily looking for a new gaming headset/phone, but this sounds pretty solid offering. Also sound likes if you are OK with the analytical sound it would be OK for music, albeit none of the reviews really talk about that for obvious reasons.

Raymond Lin · 3 Feb 2026 at 08:57

It seem to make the Edition XV redundant, it if like half price with more stuff throw in and sounds very very close.

Timber · 3 Feb 2026 at 09:06

Raymond Lin said:
It seem to make the Edition XV redundant, it if like half price with more stuff throw in and sounds very very close.

From a gaming perspective it might do, particularly given everything you get with it. Edition XV seems to be £359 vs. these at £285.

Although the reviews don't mention much, they seem to insinuate that these are technically on-par with each other. The Edition XV is warmer, vs. the more analytical Kithara. The one thing that did peak my interest a bit was the mention of a wide soundstage with the Kithara. Will be interesting to see how these are received when they are out.

Raymond Lin · 3 Feb 2026 at 09:11

Timber said:
From a gaming perspective it might do, particularly given everything you get with it. Edition XV seems to be £359 vs. these at £285.

Although the reviews don't mention much, they seem to insinuate that these are technically on-par with each other. The Edition XV is warmer, vs. the more analytical Kithara. The one thing that did peak my interest a bit was the mention of a wide soundstage with the Kithara. Will be interesting to see how these are received when they are out.

I am sure I would be able to live with the differences.

I thought the XV was like $599, like £500+ some reason.

Timber · 3 Feb 2026 at 09:14

Raymond Lin said:
I am sure I would be able to live with the differences.

I thought the XV was like $599, like £500+ some reason.

Absolutely. Easy mistake tbf. Hifiman did release a bunch of models at the same time; Ananda Unveiled, HE600, XV. So easy to confuse them and if you're not paying attention, or particularly into Hifiman stuff they all look similar.

mrk · 3 Feb 2026 at 10:44

The Maxwell 2 is out too, I wonder how both this and that compare in terms of planar headsets. I suspect the Kith sounds rather a lot better musically.

Timber · 3 Feb 2026 at 11:03

mrk said:
The Maxwell 2 is out too, I wonder how both this and that compare in terms of planar headsets. I suspect the Kith sounds rather a lot better musically.

GadgetryTech does compare them. Talks about the bass on the Maxwell 2 being more 'intoxicating' (probably true of the OG Maxwell too). And maybe a slightly smoother treble response looking at the FR graphs.

Certainly quite a few planars options in the budget to mid-fi category now. That's for sure.

Raymond Lin · 3 Feb 2026 at 11:16

anyone know...besides the Meze mic add on, is there another 3.5mm one on the market?

Timber · 3 Feb 2026 at 13:38

Raymond Lin said:
anyone know...besides the Meze mic add on, is there another 3.5mm one on the market?

Sennheiser HD 500 BAM (might be Sennheiser only though)
V-Moda Boom Pro - been out for years

Seems to be some clones of the V-Moda boom pro out there. One possible issue with both might be cross-talk with the TRRS connection (i.e. mic and left/right audio sharing ground).

I can't think of any others.

Jenz · 4 Feb 2026 at 11:54

Raymond Lin said:
anyone know...besides the Meze mic add on, is there another 3.5mm one on the market?

Where's the love for my Meze Mic Raymond ?

Rroff · 4 Feb 2026 at 11:56

There are various Antlion and V-Moda clones out there - usually specific to different models of headphones.

Raymond Lin · 4 Feb 2026 at 12:01

Jenz said:
Where's the love for my Meze Mic Raymond ?

Your Meze mic?

Actually I have gone off the idea again, I just don't play online multiplier on my Mac so there is no need for it. For video calls I have a Yeti.

mrk · 4 Feb 2026 at 22:55

Burson have a new HPA and DAC combo, it's smack in the price range of the Luxsin X8, just with far fewer features and connections, so the question is why would anyone look at it over something like an X8 costing the same effectively? X8 appears to be built to a higher level of fit and finish as well.

Raymond Lin · 5 Feb 2026 at 01:26

I think Burson as a brand has been around longer and has a reputation already.

Rroff · 5 Feb 2026 at 01:36

Burson tend to go about things a little differently component wise - I guess it appeals to some. They reached out to me a couple of times asking if I wanted to test their products but I've never been in a good place to just sit down do that proper - with my life it tends to be bits and pieces ad hoc.

mrk · 5 Feb 2026 at 02:01

Hmm I guess that figures, would like to try out a Burson one day though.

Currently doing some late night listening though should really hit the bed...

I've been given 2 beta firmwares for the X8 this week which adjusted/fixed some things I found

Rroff · 5 Feb 2026 at 02:17

mrk said:
Hmm I guess that figures, would like to try out a Burson one day though.

I guess you have your own channels but if you have a big enough audience their rep Carlos used to be active on a few audio forums like Head-Fi and open to sending stuff for free for reviews - but you do need to be actively involved in audio and have a appropriate size audience for whatever. That was back in like 2017 or so though so not sure if it is still relevant.

Timber · 5 Feb 2026 at 09:12

mrk said:
Burson have a new HPA and DAC combo, it's smack in the price range of the Luxsin X8, just with far fewer features and connections, so the question is why would anyone look at it over something like an X8 costing the same effectively? X8 appears to be built to a higher level of fit and finish as well.

2012 just called and wants it's styling back...Am I right?

In all seriousness that's a curious product, which I guess is what @Rroff means. It has mic input, but no mention of UAC 1.0 support. No balanced and the specs aren't something that jumps out on paper. Tbf they aren't a brand I've got any experience with so that's just initial impression based on their website.

mrk · 5 Feb 2026 at 09:36

I do actually like the retro aesthetic! And that VFD style display is also rather cool if a little small I guess. I will see if I can reach out to someone about comparing a model to the X8!

Timber · 5 Feb 2026 at 10:13

mrk said:
I do actually like the retro aesthetic! And that VFD style display is also rather cool if a little small I guess. I will see if I can reach out to someone about comparing a model to the X8!

I'm only mucking around. In some ways it would be nicer without the LCD display, but I know there's software features that need it. I'm sure it'll be an interesting one if you get it.