Asus has just released new open earphones… for gaming?

• Asus launched ROG Cetra Open Wireless gaming headphones
• They cost $199 / £174.99 and feature an open design
• The brand presents them as “perfect” for games and fitness.

Asus has launched a new pair of gaming headphones, the ROG Cetra Open Wireless. They are the first open-back gaming headphones from a major hardware brand and are touted as “perfect for gaming, music and active lifestyles.”

Open-back (or open-ear) headphones are a relatively new creation that have become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to popular models from major audio brands like Bose and JBL. They fit around your ears with drivers placed a few millimeters further out than regular in-ear headphones, which typically completely seal the ear canal using a silicone tip.

This leaves your ear open, allowing almost complete situational awareness and significantly reducing fatigue. They are very comfortable to wear and the ability to hear outside noises like traffic makes them a good choice for outdoor sports and fitness.

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They are not without compromise, however. The lack of seal inevitably means that the ability to produce bass takes a major hit and (although a few models like the Honor Earbuds Open offer some form of active noise cancellation), the fact that they let in so much sound can be a double-edged sword if you want an immersive listening experience in a noisy environment.