Asus ROG Delta S

Asus ROG Delta S is a great wired gaming headset for those who want to jump into the platform. The audio quality is impressive, but the high price leaves me wanting more.

Introduction

The Asus ROG Delta S headset is quite heavy-duty, it feels like a classic gaming headset.

The big earcup and headband are a little big on me but can fit most people. Using a wired connection via USB-C (and a bundled USB-to adapter), it offers extensive support, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

I’ve been playing games with headsets and listening to music for the last three weeks, so here are my thoughts.

Design

• Features RGB lighting options
• Wired connection
• Smooth black design

The ROG Delta S is a pretty simple headset; The matte-black finish is not as different as the classic and some headsets on the market. Out of the box, the headset comes with a plaid earcup, which is very comfortable and helps make the headset feel less heavy in my ears.

You’ll also find a second pair of earpacks in the box, which are softer and thinner, Asus offers their ideal for use on the go.

Since the adjustable headband is partly made of metal and dense plastic, it starts to feel heavy after a few hours of use. It was a no-go for my stud earrings, immediately pushing them over my head. This headset is not as comfortable to wear all day as I have tried, like Logitech’s G435.

The RBG light brings some personality which is otherwise a short headset. I kept my lights on when I used it, but it can be toggled off if you want. Or you can set the soundwave light mode to match the light with your microphone.

The rocker sits for volume under light control, which I prefer more than a roller; I felt it offered greater control and I was less likely to knock it out when adjusting the headset. The rocker can also be pushed to mute the microphone, which is attached to the left earcup during use.

The cable is connected to the left ear cup using a USB-C connection instead of the more common 3.5mm jack. If your device doesn’t have a USB-C connector, there’s still some hope because the headset comes with an adapter that turns it into a USB-A. The USB-A port is used on most older PCs, a very important inclusion.

However, the cable seemed a bit more troublesome than the other wired headsets I used. Since you need to connect directly to your PS4 / PS5 instead of your controller, the cable seems a bit small to reach the sofa.

You’ll need to sit close enough to your console when using this headset, since the USB-A cable is only 1m long. Fortunately, it worked well enough for my setup, but anyone looking to lean on a distant sofa would fight the length.

Features

• Isolated microphone
• No high-end properties like ANC

You can connect Asus ROG Delta S via USB-C or USB-A, so I was able to test it on my Nintendo Switch, PC and PS4. Unfortunately, my iPhone X does not include a USB-C port, although this headset should be supported on any phone.

Bluetooth connections are lacking, such as an audio jack, so there are some limitations to what you can connect. Still, I was happy with the number of platforms I could use with the Delta S, and it didn’t require any setup before plugging in.

Note that the microphone can be disconnected, which is a huge plus for me. When connected, you’ll know it’s turned on by a small red light, so you can keep track of whether it’s silent.

Sound quality and microphone

• Good audio quality
• QUAD DAC TECHNOLOGY
• MQA technology

This headset delivers some great audio while gaming, which is to be expected with the 50mm driver and MQA technology – a built-in renderer that helps decode MQA audio files for better audio quality.

The QUAD DAC also improves noise performance, so when I was playing God of War on the PS4, for example, I was able to hear the smallest movement made by the characters very clearly. For a headset that isn’t made exclusively for consoles, I found the Delta S to be super-impressive. None of the audio seemed random, which led to a more immersive experience.

I also doubled up on Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch, and when I didn’t add the game to its audio, I could see the rustling of leaves and the sound of the waves on the beach being crystal clear. The background music also sounded good and I played it longer so I could listen.

For the price, I’d like to see ANC or at least a closed design here. Whenever the sound of the background broke, it took me out of the experience. There are also cheap gaming headsets that support ANC, such as Razer’s Opus X.

Beyond that missing feature, it’s an impressive headset for gaming. As for the music, I found it to work wonderfully with songs featuring heavy bass. The base extensions were decent, giving the songs a clear and roaring sound, like the age of consent by the New Order. The soft songs, such as “When Love’s in Bloom” by The Blow Monkeys, also feature instrumental music very well.

I used Discord and Zoom over Delta S without any problems. Asus AI Noise-Canceling Tech means that I could bleed audio from my headset without interfering with my mic or disturbing the person I was calling, which is very welcome.

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