The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless are the world’s first open-ear wireless gaming earbuds, combining 2.4GHz low-latency connectivity with an open-back design that prioritizes situational awareness over immersive bass. Launched at $230 USD or £185 GBP, they represent a bold bet that gamers will trade traditional closed-back comfort for the ability to hear their environment while gaming. After weeks of testing across dialogue-heavy stealth games and fast-paced shooters, the verdict is clear: these earbuds excel in specific scenarios but stumble where most gamers expect gaming audio to shine.
Key Takeaways
- Open-ear design allows ambient sound awareness without in-ear tips, ideal for long gaming sessions and casual play.
- 2.4GHz Speednova dongle delivers ~6x faster latency than Bluetooth, critical for competitive FPS games like Counter-Strike 2.
- Weak sub-bass makes them poor for EDM, hip-hop, and bombastic action games that rely on low-frequency impact.
- 16-hour battery per bud extends to 64 hours total with case, though RGB and microphone use reduce runtime.
- At $230, they cost significantly more than standard gaming headsets without the immersive soundstage most gamers prioritize.
Why Open-Ear Design Matters for Gaming
The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless ditch the in-ear silicone tips that define traditional earbuds. Instead, 14.2 mm DLC drivers sit in an open-back housing that lets sound pass through without sealing the ear canal. This architectural choice mirrors open-back headphones—you hear the game AND your surroundings simultaneously. For stealth games where dialogue clarity matters and you need to hear a doorbell or roommate, this is genuinely useful. For casual handheld gaming like Arc Raiders, the lightweight design (11.4g per bud) and open comfort eliminate the ear fatigue that plagues sealed in-ears during marathon sessions.
The tradeoff is immediate: no passive noise isolation. In a loud office or coffeehouse, ambient chatter bleeds into your gaming audio. The Immersion Mode in the Armoury Crate app offers subtle reduction of low-frequency background noise, but this is not full noise cancellation—it simply softens rumble, not voices or traffic. If you game in quiet environments or value hearing your surroundings, this is a strength. If you expect ANC-like isolation, you will be disappointed.
Gaming Performance: Where They Excel and Fail
The 2.4GHz Speednova dongle is the star here. It delivers approximately 6x faster latency than Bluetooth 5.3, with range extending to 45 feet and support for 24-bit/96 kHz audio. In Counter-Strike 2 and other directional audio-heavy FPS games, the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless shine. Precise footstep placement, gunfire directional cues, and voice communication through the quad mic setup (two mics per bud with AI noise cancellation) are sharp and reliable. The stereo imaging is excellent for competitive play where audio positioning directly impacts performance.
Then comes the sub-bass problem. These earbuds have a weak low-frequency response that makes EDM, hip-hop, and bass-heavy game soundtracks sound thin and lifeless. If you play Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, or any action game where explosive bass impacts immersion, the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless will feel anemic compared to closed-back gaming headsets like the Asus Cathara. This is not a minor quirk—it is a fundamental design limitation that affects roughly 40% of gaming’s most popular genres.
Comfort, Battery, and Durability
At 11.4g per bud, these are genuinely lightweight and comfortable for extended sessions. The open-ear design means no pressure on the ear canal, which matters if you wear them for 8+ hours. IPX5 water resistance handles sweat and light rain, appropriate for gaming and sports use. Battery life is generous: 16 hours per bud without RGB or microphone, scaling to 64 hours total with the case providing 48 additional hours. In practice, heavy RGB use and constant mic activity reduce this, so expect 10–12 hours per bud in realistic gaming scenarios with all features enabled.
The quad mic setup with AI noise cancellation works well in voice calls and Discord, picking up your voice clearly while suppressing keyboard clicks and fan noise. This is better than many gaming earbuds that struggle with voice clarity during intense gameplay.
The Price Problem
At $230 USD, the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless cost as much as or more than full-featured gaming headsets with closed-back drivers, active noise cancellation, and deeper bass response. You are paying a premium for open-ear comfort and low-latency wireless—not for superior sound quality or feature richness. For competitive FPS players who value latency and precise directional audio, that math works. For casual gamers or anyone who prioritizes immersive bass, the price feels unjustified. Compared to standard wireless gaming earbuds, you sacrifice bass and isolation for awareness and comfort—a trade that only specific player types will appreciate.
Should You Buy the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless?
If you play competitive shooters, value situational awareness during gaming, or game for hours in quiet environments where comfort matters more than bass, these earbuds deserve consideration. The low-latency dongle, directional audio, and lightweight design create a genuinely different gaming experience from closed-back headsets. If you play story-driven games, listen to bass-heavy music, or game in noisy environments, look elsewhere. The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless are not a universal gaming earbud—they are a specialist tool for a specific audience willing to pay for comfort and competitive advantage.
How does the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless compare to traditional gaming headsets?
Open-ear design trades bass depth and noise isolation for comfort and situational awareness. Closed-back gaming headsets deliver more immersive soundstages and stronger low-frequency response, making them better for single-player campaigns. The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless excel in competitive play and long sessions due to their lightweight, open design.
Does the 2.4GHz dongle work on console and mobile?
Yes. The Speednova dongle supports PC, console, and mobile gaming with the same low-latency performance. Bluetooth 5.3 or 6 with multi-point support also allows simultaneous connections—for example, gaming on PC while receiving phone notifications without disconnecting.
Are the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless suitable for music listening?
They excel with rock, indie, vocal, country, and classical music thanks to strong detail and stereo imaging. Bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop sound weak due to limited sub-bass response. If music is your primary use, closed-back earbuds or headphones will serve you better.
The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless represent a genuine innovation in gaming audio, but they solve a problem most gamers do not have. Comfort and awareness matter in specific contexts. Bass and immersion matter in almost all gaming contexts. At $230, these earbuds ask you to choose—and for the vast majority of players, that choice will favor traditional gaming headsets.
Where to Buy
Check Amazon | $229 | $229
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
