The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless are gaming open earbuds designed specifically for players who value situational awareness over bass-heavy immersion. Unlike traditional closed-back gaming headsets, these buds position 14mm carbon-coated diaphragm drivers just outside the ear canal via ear hooks that wrap over the top of each ear, keeping the ear canal completely open. At $229, they represent a deliberate trade-off: you gain the ability to hear your environment and dialogue cues, but lose the powerful low-end punch that in-ear gaming buds typically deliver.
Key Takeaways
- Gaming open earbuds position drivers outside the ear canal, enabling awareness while sacrificing bass immersion.
- Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless excel in stealth games and dialogue-heavy titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Control on PS5.
- Comfortable for extended sessions; one tester wore them for eight hours without discomfort.
- 10-hour battery per charge, 40 hours total with case; low-latency 2.4GHz USB-C dongle stores in charging case.
- Lack active or passive noise cancellation, making them unsuitable for noisy environments or immersion-focused gaming.
Why Gaming Open Earbuds Challenge Traditional Headsets
Gaming open earbuds represent a niche but growing category that prioritizes environmental awareness over sonic isolation. The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless are the first open earbuds purpose-built for gaming, combining low-latency wireless connectivity with a design that keeps your ears open to the real world. This architectural difference matters: in stealth-based games where you need to listen for footsteps, or dialogue-heavy narratives like Cyberpunk 2077, the wider soundstage and reduced ear pressure create a listening experience closer to open-back headphones than sealed in-ear buds.
The trade-off is immediate. Closed-back alternatives like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro ($249) deliver more immersive bass and better isolation, but they trap you in a sealed acoustic bubble. For competitive multiplayer or story-driven single-player games that demand immersion, traditional gaming headsets remain superior. Gaming open earbuds occupy a specific use case: players willing to sacrifice some bass response and isolation for the ability to hear teammates, environmental audio, and real-world interruptions simultaneously.
Comfort and Design: Built for Long Sessions
The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless prioritize comfort through their open design. Each earbud’s ear hook wraps over the top of the ear, with the speaker housing resting outside the ear opening—no silicone tips, no canal pressure. One reviewer wore them for an eight-hour gaming session without once feeling the need to remove them, a critical advantage for players who game for extended periods. The absence of in-ear tips eliminates the fatigue and discomfort that comes from prolonged pressure inside the ear canal.
Controls are straightforward: double-tap the bulb for play/pause, long-hold either earbud to enter pairing mode, and triple-tap to mute the microphone. The USB-C dongle plugs directly into your PS5 or other gaming device for low-latency gaming mode, or you can pair via Bluetooth for mobile use. The dongle stores neatly inside the charging case, keeping your gaming setup clean. Battery life reaches 10 hours per charge, with 40 hours total capacity including the case—enough for weekend gaming marathons without constant charging.
Audio Performance: Wider Soundstage, Weaker Bass
The sonic character of gaming open earbuds differs fundamentally from sealed alternatives. The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless produce a wider, less congested soundstage similar to what you experience stepping up from closed-back headphones to larger open-back models. Dialogue clarity excels, making them ideal for narrative-driven titles like Control and Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5. The frequency response spans 20Hz to 20KHz, covering the full audible spectrum, but the open design inherently limits bass impact.
The software offers user-friendly EQ presets and immersive audio with spatial sound support, including head-tracking spatial audio where instruments remain fixed in space rather than moving with your head. This feature adds dimensionality to supported games. However, the lack of active or passive noise cancellation means background noise bleeds in—a significant limitation in noisy households or gaming environments. If you need isolation or powerful bass response, gaming open earbuds cannot compete with sealed in-ear alternatives. One review scored the Cetra Open Wireless 86.75/100, strong for gaming open earbuds but a reflection of their specialized rather than universal appeal.
Gaming Open Earbuds vs. Traditional Gaming Headsets
The choice between gaming open earbuds and traditional over-ear or in-ear gaming headsets hinges on your play style and environment. Gaming open earbuds win when you play stealth games requiring audio cues, dialogue-heavy narratives, or cooperative multiplayer where you need to hear teammates and real-world sounds. They lose when you prioritize bass-heavy immersion, need isolation from background noise, or play competitive shooters where every decibel of environmental separation matters. Traditional gaming headsets remain the safer universal choice; gaming open earbuds are the specialist tool for a specific player profile.
The Sony Linkbuds Open, released in 2022, pioneered the open earbud category, but the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless are the first explicitly designed for gaming, with gaming-specific EQ presets and low-latency dongle support. This gaming-first approach matters: the software, controls, and connectivity are optimized for console and PC gaming rather than retrofitted from a general-purpose earbud design.
Should You Ditch Your Gaming Headset for Gaming Open Earbuds?
Only if your gaming habits align with their strengths. If you play primarily dialogue-heavy games, stealth titles, or cooperative multiplayer where situational awareness matters, and you game for extended sessions where comfort is critical, the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless deserve serious consideration. Their eight-hour comfort, 10-hour battery life, and low-latency dongle make them practical for all-day gaming. If you play competitive shooters, need bass-heavy immersion, or game in noisy environments, stick with traditional gaming headsets or in-ear alternatives like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.
Are gaming open earbuds suitable for all game genres?
No. Gaming open earbuds excel in stealth, narrative-driven, and cooperative games where you benefit from environmental awareness and dialogue clarity. They underperform in competitive multiplayer and immersion-focused single-player games where bass response and acoustic isolation matter. Closed-back gaming headsets remain better for genres demanding full immersion.
How long does the battery last on the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless?
Each earbud delivers 10 hours of battery life per charge, with the charging case extending total capacity to 40 hours. This endurance covers extended gaming sessions and weekend play without constant charging.
Do gaming open earbuds have noise cancellation?
The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless lack both active and passive noise cancellation, a direct consequence of their open design. This makes them unsuitable for noisy environments but ideal for players who want to hear real-world audio alongside game sound.
Gaming open earbuds are not a universal replacement for traditional gaming headsets—they are a specialized alternative for players whose gaming style and environment align with their open-ear philosophy. The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless execute that niche well, delivering comfort, awareness, and gaming-specific features at a price that reflects their narrow but valuable appeal.
Where to Buy
Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless: | $229 at Amazon | No price information
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
