ASUS ROG Centurion Review: For Epic Gaming

If your idea of ultimate PC gaming is a full RGB set-up, multiple monitors plus a DXRacer gaming chair, then the ASUS ROG Centurion is a welcome addition. Not just for aesthetic purposes either. This 10-driver 7.1 Surround Sound headset is a force to be reckoned with, if you crave full immersion.

The Colossal Audio Experience

If your idea of ultimate PC gaming is a full RGB set-up, multiple monitors plus a DXRacer gaming chair, then the ASUS ROG Centurion is a welcome addition. 

Not just for aesthetic purposes either. This 10-driver 7.1 Surround Sound headset is a force to be reckoned with if you crave full immersion. Big words need big proof, and as Elvis once said: “A little less conversation, a little more action, please”; now let’s see if the Centurion is as epic as its namesake. 

On Focus
9.4
ASUS Gaming Headset ROG Centurion with USB Control Box
  • ASUS GAMING HEADPHONES with Premium True 7.1 Surround Sound featuring 10 discrete neodynamic drivers for accurate positioning, with a hi-res ESS amplifier that delivers fully immersive and impactful audio giving pro gamers a competitive edge for a win
  • CLEAR COMMUNICATION - These wired headphones with mic come with a unidirectional digital micrphone with an impressive SNR, high sensitivity to sound, and minimal background noise pickup during phone calls, gaming and on-the-go chat
  • PLUG-AND-PLAY USB CONTROL BOX - Includes ROG Centurion Control Box that works like a USB sound card and provides effective environmental noise cancellation (ENC). It is simple to use but packed with features
  • INTUITIVE AUDIO CONTROL - The Centurion wired headset comes with an easy-to-use ASUS Sonic Studio with complete control over audio features such as EQ settings, speaker-level balancing, in-game sound mapping, and more
  • ULTIMATE COMFORT - Features two sets of ear cushions - ultra-soft fabric mesh, and highly breathable protein leather - strong hold & secured fit gives great comfort even during prolonged gaming sessions

Build And Design 

When building your gaming rig, you should already have a clear vision of what it should look like in the end, and rest assured, the ASUS ROG Centurion will teleport you straight into some kind of a sci-fi fantasy. This behemoth of a headset with black, orange and chrome accents, is literally one of the biggest out there. 

It weighs 532g. Some will find that a bit too much but the distribution of this weight makes it a well-balanced unit, hence not at all that bad.  

Naturally, the huge size makes it a not exactly portable headset. Lugging it around would simply not be very practical. Ultimately the ROG Centurion is best placed on your desk where it can shine in what it does. 

Headband 

One of my concerns when I first saw the Centurion was the headband. I am a person who is very much into healthy gaming and I use every opportunity to promote it. In this case, I wanted to prevent any neck pain from impairing my gaming. Good thing, the Centurion’s generous padding has done a good job in keeping discomfort at bay. It is not that flexible but still sufficient to allow adjustments.  

Ear Cups 

The default ones are giant leather cups. However, if you are not into leather, or prefer a breathable option, you could swap those with fabric ones. These ear cups fully envelop the ears like a cocoon. Thus, outside noise is passively isolated. They are also super soft and comfy. 

Audio Setup (Amp And Connectivity) 

It seems that over-the-top and dramatic build is a recurring theme with the ROG Centurion, as the amp is finished in the same fashion. The amp is shaped like a chunky hexagonal prism which is about the size of a hockey puck. It is equipped with buttons that control 7.1 channel levels, volume, speaker pass through, mic muting, and in-game audio profiles. 

Ditching wires is the trend nowadays with wireless earbuds and wireless mice  dominating the market, but sadly, the ASUS ROG Centurion is a traditionally wired headset. It has a braided fiber cable which is a 1.5m headset and a 1.5m USB cable.  

It is a bit inflexible due to the connection it uses. On the fixed end of the wire, the cable has an HDMI port to plug into the amp. This suggests that the headset can only function in combination with the Centurion’s amp. 

It doesn’t end there, the amp needs a two-way, Y-splitter USB cable attachment with your PC, which means that two extra USB ports are needed to use this headset. 

Dual-USB provisions are reasonable considering how heavy the amp’s performance is. Not only is it managing the 7.1 experience, but it’s also enabling the surround sound speaker pass through. Besides, the amp is also where the controls of ROG Centurion’s audio profiles and channel volumes are located.  

It is indeed a lot to take in, but once you master the controls, you will be able to easily tweak the audio to your preference. 

Sound Quality 

The ASUS ROG Centurion 7.1 headset is epic looking, but one of the factors to consider when buying a gaming headset is whether it fares well in audio tests. The sound profile of the Centurion is not for the faint-hearted. 

Honestly, just by looking at its build, you can already deduce the quality of sound. When I first popped it over my ears I seriously got lost. I was amazed at how it manages to produce an impressive 7.1 Surround Sound experience. Well, that is to be expected thanks to its 10 individual drivers. Under the hood, each ear cup is powered by five discrete neodymium magnets. ASUS has fine-tuned the drivers pretty well to give players encompassing audio during gameplay. 

I tested the Centurion playing Middle Earth: Shadows of Mordor. The music scores of that game oozed awesomeness. I was very satisfied with how this headset gave it justice. The war drums were super distinguishable making an already good game even more enjoyable. 

The audio presets that can be activated through the amp are quite useful. You are sure to get the best quality from different gaming genres. You will like the fact that there are options for highlighting gunfire, and an FPS footsteps mode that is very useful in competitive games like PUBG. If you are more into solo games, a vocal-boosting RPG option is also available, perfect for dialogue-heavy games like Persona 5. 

As I have expected (it is named after Roman soldiers), the sound is bass-heavy and bassheads will go gaga over it. The highs and mids are there but not pronounced. It is not recommended to use this headset as a music buddy. It is fine for movies as long as you stick with action-packed films. 

The Centurion is perfect if you are craving for gripping audio when playing. Whether I was engaged in a boss fight in Dark Souls or striking enemies from the shadows in Dishonor, the ROG Centurion was there to catapult me into the gaming universe. 

Microphone 

As for the mic, it performed decently but not spectacular. Not really streaming microphone level but enough for Discord and in-game chats. The mic is detachable so it can easily be put away when not in use. The mic boom’s pick-up pattern is unidirectional, so it is capable of discerning your voice from any noise in the background. 

Software 

For better usage and customization ASUS incorporates a software suite to let you fine-tune the Centurion’s settings. The ROG Sonic Studio is free for download, and it consists of multiple sliders that can be tailored to individual preferences. Yes, presets exist if you don’t want to be bothered with the tweaking, but for those who want more personalized audio then this software is your friend. 

Final Verdict 

Overall, the ASUS ROG Centurion is a worthy gaming headset to grace your gaming station. The potential for improving your reaction time is there thanks to the superior Surround Sound. If immersion is something that you want so bad, then you can’t go wrong with this pair of cans. 

However, it still doesn’t change the fact that it is a huge piece of audio equipment. Users with smaller heads might be uncomfortable with the heft and bulk. That is why for those who want the same immersion but can’t stand a bulky pair, the Razer Thresher Ultimate or the Sennheiser Game One could be the way to go. They offer excellent audio without weighing your head down. 

On Focus
9.4
ASUS Gaming Headset ROG Centurion with USB Control Box
  • ASUS GAMING HEADPHONES with Premium True 7.1 Surround Sound featuring 10 discrete neodynamic drivers for accurate positioning, with a hi-res ESS amplifier that delivers fully immersive and impactful audio giving pro gamers a competitive edge for a win
  • CLEAR COMMUNICATION - These wired headphones with mic come with a unidirectional digital micrphone with an impressive SNR, high sensitivity to sound, and minimal background noise pickup during phone calls, gaming and on-the-go chat
  • PLUG-AND-PLAY USB CONTROL BOX - Includes ROG Centurion Control Box that works like a USB sound card and provides effective environmental noise cancellation (ENC). It is simple to use but packed with features
  • INTUITIVE AUDIO CONTROL - The Centurion wired headset comes with an easy-to-use ASUS Sonic Studio with complete control over audio features such as EQ settings, speaker-level balancing, in-game sound mapping, and more
  • ULTIMATE COMFORT - Features two sets of ear cushions - ultra-soft fabric mesh, and highly breathable protein leather - strong hold & secured fit gives great comfort even during prolonged gaming sessions
Joanne is a gamer who spends her time playing League of Legends and single player RPGs. She loves games with a lot of marine drama and tear-jerking story plots and is not afraid to use aesthetically pleasing weapons and armor with low stats. This writer spends hours browsing for the perfect gear and will not hesitate to annoy any salesperson with tons of questions. Joanne lives in a high-teched commissioned nipa hut with her seven cats.

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