ASUS's ROG soundbar, priced at $600, allows you to engage in trash-talk without needing a headset, and it's now available in the US.
ROG Gjallar arrives in the US, offering a headset-free voice-chat experience
Asus
Gaming headsets are fantastic until I've worn one for three hours and long to get my ears free. ASUS claims it has a solution with the ROG Gjallar, its first gaming soundbar to enter the US market, priced at $599.99. Currently, Best Buy lists the system as out of stock, and ASUS is accepting notification sign-ups, indicating that availability might be limited initially.
At this price point, it is definitely a premium soundbar. However, the Gjallar is more than just an ordinary soundbar.
Multiplayer gaming without a headset on my head
Asus
ASUS incorporates the soundbar with a separate LCD control hub that features built-in microphones. The Acoustic Echo Cancellation feature eliminates game sounds and your teammates' voices from the speakers, while AI beamforming helps reduce background noise, such as that from PC fans.
This technology allows users to engage in multiplayer games while talking to their team without needing a headset or a standalone microphone on their desk. The Gjallar itself is a 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos system equipped with four 50mm full-range drivers, two 27mm tweeters, and upward-firing channels. A separate 6.5-inch, 65W subwoofer connects using a dedicated low-latency 5GHz wireless link.
$600 provides ample connectivity options
Asus
ROG has equipped the Gjallar with various ports, ensuring it fits seamlessly into a complex gaming setup. It includes HDMI 2.1 with eARC and 4K/120Hz passthrough, USB-C, optical inputs, 3.5mm AUX, and Bluetooth 5.3. It is compatible with PCs, Macs, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, TVs, and mobile devices, and two USB-A ports are available for managing dongles and other peripherals.
The control hub allows users to switch inputs, adjust EQ profiles, manage playback, and control the essential Aura RGB lighting without needing to access software. Six hundred dollars is a significant investment for desktop audio. In our review of LG’s $500 UltraGear GP9, we noted the gaming speakers were hard to justify, despite their impressive audio and built-in microphone. While ASUS is asking for an additional $100, the Gjallar offers a proper wireless subwoofer, dedicated height channels, HDMI 2.1, and enhanced connectivity. Nevertheless, I would need to test it to determine if all of these features justify the $600 price tag.
Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience focusing on consumer hardware.
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ASUS's $600 ROG soundbar allows you to communicate during games without needing a headset, and it's now available in the US.
The initial ROG gaming soundbar from ASUS features 2.1.2 Dolby Atmos, a wireless subwoofer, and integrated noise-canceling microphones intended for multiplayer gaming without a headset.
ASUS's ROG soundbar, priced at $600, allows you to engage in trash-talk without needing a headset, and it's now available in the US.
ASUS' inaugural ROG gaming soundbar features 2.1.2 Dolby Atmos, a wireless subwoofer, and integrated noise-canceling microphones intended for multiplayer gaming without the need for headsets.