Asus Open Earbuds: The Perfect Handheld Gaming Companion
▼ Summary
– The Cetra Open Wireless are open-style gaming earbuds that rest outside the ear, allowing environmental sounds to mix with game audio but potentially leaking sound to others.
– They are praised for being comfortable and feature-packed, with good sound quality (though lacking deep bass) and an excellent USB-C 2.4GHz transmitter that includes a charging passthrough port.
– The included USB-C transmitter is highlighted as a major advantage for handheld gamers, though it only supports power passthrough and not video or data transfer.
– Battery life is strong, with up to 16 hours in Bluetooth mode and about 10 hours in 2.4GHz mode, and the case provides multiple charges via USB-C.
– Settings are highly customizable through a mobile app or browser-based site, allowing adjustments to audio, microphone, button commands, and lighting effects.
For gamers seeking a comfortable, open-ear audio experience that keeps them connected to their surroundings, the Asus Cetra Open Wireless earbuds present a compelling and feature-rich option. Unlike traditional in-ear models, their unique design rests just outside the ear canal, allowing ambient noise to mix with your game audio. This creates a more situational awareness-friendly immersion, ideal for playing near family or in environments where hearing your surroundings is a priority. The standout feature is undoubtedly the included USB-C 2.4GHz audio transmitter, which boasts a passthrough charging port, a major convenience for handheld gaming sessions.
These earbuds prioritize comfort and connectivity over noise isolation. While they lack the deep bass seal of noise-canceling alternatives, their sound profile is full-bodied and more than adequate for both gaming and music, enhanced by Asus’s Phantom Bass technology. The open design means you can enjoy game audio at a reasonable volume while still easily hearing conversations around you, eliminating the need to constantly remove a bud. This makes them particularly well-suited for shared living spaces.
The bundled USB-C transmitter is a game-changer for portable play. It doesn’t block the entire port on your device, letting you charge your Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, or other USB-C gadget while maintaining a low-latency, high-quality wireless audio connection. The transmitter supports up to 60W of passthrough charging, which is sufficient for all modern handhelds. The earbuds and transmitter nest neatly inside their magnetized charging case, which also includes a reflective band for securing the buds behind your neck during active use.
Battery life is robust, with Asus claiming up to 16 hours per charge in Bluetooth mode (with LEDs and mics off) and about 10 hours in the 2.4GHz gaming mode based on real-world testing. The case itself provides multiple additional charges and refills the earbuds quickly. The Cetra Open also support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously or use one Bluetooth source alongside the 2.4GHz transmitter, with mostly seamless switching between them.
Customization is extensive through Asus’s Armoury Crate mobile app or a browser-based PC portal called Gear Link. Users can fine-tune audio and microphone settings, adjust RGB lighting effects, and reprogram the top-mounted buttons on each earbud for various press patterns. You can even change the system voice language or switch to tone-based alerts.
While excellent noise-canceling options like the Sony InZone Buds or SteelSeries Arctis Buds exist for gamers who prefer complete auditory isolation, the Asus Cetra Open Wireless carve out their own niche. They excel as a comfortable, non-intrusive audio solution that offers exceptional flexibility, especially for gamers who split their time between handhelds and consoles and value staying tuned into their physical environment.
(Source: The Verge)
