Asus tried something a little odd with the ROG Cetra Open Wireless. These are open-back wireless earbuds aimed at players who do not want the typical in-ear seal. Think of them as earbuds that prefer fresh air and long jogs over stuffing your ear canal with foam. The result is a package that works well for fitness and gaming, but comes with trade-offs and a premium price.

Quick take

  • Pros: Open-frame fit, very strong battery life, solid directional audio and bass for their size.
  • Cons: More conventional noise-cancelling earbuds cost less, and these are rather expensive.

Key specifications

  • Drivers: 14.2 mm DLC
  • Frequency response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
  • Weight: 22 g (both)
  • Connections: 2.4 GHz wireless (Speednova) and Bluetooth 5.3
  • Battery: 16 hours from the earbuds, plus 48 hours from the case (64 hours total with mic and RGB off)
  • Durability: IPX5 water resistant
  • Price: $230 /

Design and fit

These are not your average sealed earbuds. The open-frame design sits against the ear rather than creating a deep canal seal. At first the sensation is unusual if you are used to classic in-ear buds, but most people will adapt quickly. Asus includes ear hooks to keep the buds secure during movement, and a neck strap to link the two buds together. That setup gives the Cetra Open a clear tilt toward fitness and running use.

Controls are physical buttons instead of touch gestures. The buttons are small because the housings are compact, so you need a steady finger. I prefer this choice. It avoids accidental inputs and works reliably once you get used to the pressure needed.

Case and connectivity

The charging case is longer than typical earbud cases to accommodate the open-frame shape. It feels affordable in plastic, but it remains pocketable if you have deep pockets. Inside, the buds sit flat and magnetically attach for charging, and there are indicator LEDs for charge status.

Asus bundles a USB-C dongle that stores inside the case. The buds support a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection called Speednova for gaming, plus Bluetooth 5.3 for phones and other devices. You can pair two devices at once, which means you can game on PC via the dongle and listen to phone audio over Bluetooth during breaks.

Battery and extras

Battery performance is one of the Cetra Open's strengths. The earbuds advertise 16 hours per charge, with the case providing another 48 hours. That 64-hour total assumes you switch off the mic and RGB lighting. With everything enabled, runtime drops closer to 40 hours.

The buds also have wear detection. Take them out and playback pauses. Put them back in and audio resumes. It is a small feature, but a useful one for everyday use.

Sound and microphone

Open-back designs usually create a wider soundstage, and these earbuds largely deliver on that promise for gaming. In competitive testing with a shooter, positional audio was precise and footsteps and distant gunfire were easy to locate. That makes them an effective choice for FPS players who want wireless convenience.

Bass was a pleasant surprise. There is weight and warmth to the low end without it overwhelming mids and highs. Vocals and important mid-range details remained clear, and the treble offered enough sparkle for acoustic and classic rock tracks. Overall the tuning feels purposeful and focused on gaming clarity rather than being showy or overly colored.

Sound leakage is present at very high volumes, but in normal listening situations you will not disturb people a few feet away. The built-in microphones offer decent clarity for calls and in-game chat. They are not studio-grade but they are perfectly serviceable for squad communications.

Who should consider these

  • Buy if you want an open-back wireless earbud option for gaming or fitness and value a roomy soundstage and long battery life.
  • Do not buy if you prefer a traditional sealed in-ear fit or want active noise cancellation at a lower price.

Final thoughts

The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless is an intriguing product. It brings open-back characteristics into a wireless earbud form factor and pairs that with fitness-friendly hardware like ear hooks and IPX5 resistance. Audio performance is strong for both gaming and music listening, and battery life is excellent when you are willing to disable some features.

That said, the price places these in a competitive field where you can find more conventional earbuds with active noise cancellation or cheaper gaming-focused options with a more familiar fit. If you want an open-frame design and are happy to pay a premium for it, the Cetra Open is worth a look. If you want the most value per dollar, there are other choices that will cover more use cases.