The Asus ROG Delta II, unveiled at Computex 2024, promises a premium gaming audio experience. As a successor to the ROG Delta and Delta S, this headset boasts improved sound and new features. This review dives into the design, features, performance, and overall value of the ROG Delta II.
Design and Comfort: A Mixed Bag
The ROG Delta II inherits the familiar angular design of its predecessors, featuring black and anthracite accents. The headband, adorned with a subtle “Republic of Gamers” embossing, offers comfortable clamping pressure without feeling too tight. While the overall build quality feels premium, the earcup attachment mechanism is a significant drawback. Instead of a magnetic or rotating system, users must wrestle a rubber lip on the ear pads into a corresponding gap on the headset. This process is fiddly and detracts from the otherwise sleek design.
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The fit is notably large, potentially posing a problem for users with smaller heads. The controls are well-organized, with separate volume wheels for wireless and Bluetooth connections on the left and right earcups, respectively. The left earcup also houses the microphone mute button, wireless mode button, and power switch. A USB-C port for charging and firmware updates, along with the detachable microphone slot, complete the left side. The right earcup features the Bluetooth function button and a 3.5mm jack for wired connections.
Feature-Rich Connectivity
The ROG Delta II offers versatile connectivity options, including 2.4 GHz wireless (ROG Speednova), Bluetooth, and wired via a 3.5mm jack. A standout feature is the ability to play audio from two sources simultaneously, allowing users to seamlessly switch between gaming audio and phone calls, for example. The dedicated controls for each wireless connection enhance usability. However, pairing mode is slightly unintuitive, requiring simultaneous presses of both function buttons.
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Armoury Crate software provides extensive customization options, including equalizer settings, RGB lighting control, and firmware updates. A standalone version, Armoury Crate Gear, is available for users who don’t own other ROG devices. Additional features like virtual surround sound (which unfortunately sounds echoey), Bass Boost, Voice Clarity, and Compressor offer further sound customization. The ROG Delta II is compatible with PC, PlayStation, Xbox (via 3.5mm jack), and smartphones.
Audio Performance: Impressive with a Caveat
The 50mm titanium drivers deliver impressive sound quality, rivaling higher-priced headsets. However, at lower volumes, the sound profile emphasizes highs and mids, while the bass is almost absent. This results in a flat, tinny sound for music. At higher volumes, the bass becomes more prominent, providing a richer audio experience. While this compromise is acceptable for gaming, it’s worth noting for multimedia use. The microphone, on the other hand, performs exceptionally well, capturing clear, warm vocals.
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Battery Life: RGB Lighting Takes a Toll
The ROG Delta II boasts an impressive 110 hours of battery life with RGB lighting disabled. However, enabling the lighting drastically reduces battery life to around 25-30 hours. While this is still reasonable for most users, it highlights the significant power consumption of the RGB feature.
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Value and Conclusion
The Asus ROG Delta II is available for around $210. It includes a generous assortment of accessories, including two sets of ear pads (leatherette and fabric), a wireless receiver, adapters, and cables. While the headset offers excellent sound quality and a comprehensive feature set, the cumbersome ear pad attachment and the impact of RGB lighting on battery life are notable downsides. Overall, the ROG Delta II is a solid choice for gamers seeking premium audio, but some design quirks hold it back from true greatness.
