ASUS ROG Delta II Wireless Gaming Headset Review

The ASUS ROG Delta II is a revision of ASUS’ high-end gaming headset, which aims to provide a luxurious audio experience to gamers no matter where or when they are needed. Featuring tri-mode connectivity for compatibility with a vast range of gaming platforms, the ASUS ROG Delta II is equipped with plenty of premium features, resulting in a comfortable and immersive audio experience. However, we want to investigate whether these features offer the improvements needed to justify the refreshed model, and if it can compete with the best wireless gaming headsets on the market.

We’ve previously tested multiple variants of the ASUS ROG Delta, which managed to impress us with their quality and set of features. However, the price tags attached to these headsets are a major sticking point. It will be interesting to see if the ASUS ROG Delta II can convince us that the price premium is finally worth it. To find out, we’ll be testing the performance, design, and features of the ASUS ROG Delta II in great detail, comparing it to previous ASUS ROG Delta designs and other high-end gaming headsets throughout.

Specification

Looking at the specs sheet, the ROG Delta II lines up with the performance you’d expect from a top-tier gaming headset. With 50mm drivers and a frequency response that covers the typical range of a human ear, this headset is equipped with the hardware needed to pick up small in-game details like footprints or birds chirping. However, the ASUS ROG Delta II utilises titanium-plated diaphragm drivers, rather than the conventional Neodymium drivers. ASUS claim this design choice looks to provide ‘crisp, detailed treble and reduce distortion to ensure lifelike sound’.

Whilst the indicated performance of the speakers is fairly impressive, the versatile connectivity is where this headset thrives. Thanks to its tri-mode connectivity, the ASUS ROG Delta II is designed for swift and seamless transitions between PC, consoles, handhelds, and mobile devices. It is becoming increasingly common for wireless headsets to lack a form of wired connectivity, which can cause problems for Xbox gamers. That’s why the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack here is a nice touch.

Not only are the connections on the ASUS ROG Delta II versatile, but they also aim to optimise gaming performance. Packed with ASUS ROG SpeedNova technology, this headset offers ultra-low latency connectivity when using the 2.4GHz mode, which ensures that the sound coming out of the speakers aligns with the on-screen action.

This technology is also meant to reduce power consumption, increasing its battery life as a result. While ASUS claim up to 110 hours on a single charge, this refers to when the RGB lighting is switched off in 2.4GHz mode. Instead, you can expect the ASUS ROG Delta to last approximately 24 hours, which is more than enough to last several gaming sessions.

When the time comes to shout instructions at team-mates or chat with friends, the unidirectional boom microphone aims to isolate your voice for a clear audio response. One of the most interesting decisions on this headset is the unidirectional microphone pattern, as microphones on gaming headsets typically opt for an omnidirectional pattern. A unidirectional microphone could be beneficial for noise isolation, but it can also limit audio input from the sides of the mic, which is where most gamers will speak into. That being said, the microphone on the ASUS ROG Delta II has been adjusted to align with the corner of your mouth, which should eliminate any audio input issues.

ASUS ROG Delta II Design

For a gaming headset, the design of the ASUS ROG Delta II looks breathtaking. The design portrays a sense of class while incorporating elements that makes its gaming intentions clear.

ASUS have kept the D-shaped earcups that became synonymous with the previous ROG Delta headsets, but have given them a subtle facelift to highlight the premium nature of the ROG Delta II. Along with the RGB lighting surrounding the top of the earcups and on the logo, the ROG Delta II includes subtle stripes around each PU Leather earcup, providing a distinct look that exudes luxury. Alternative fabric earcups are also included in the box for anyone that needs a more breathable design that can withstand longer gaming sessions.

There are plenty of controls on the back of each earcup too, with a rather unique layout that splits the controls of 2.4GHz and Bluetooth and assigns them to one side. In this case, all of the 2.4GHz controls are on the left-hand side, with the Bluetooth controls on the right. Each earcup includes a volume rocker and a multifunctional button that can be used to play/pause, navigate through tracks, and accept/reject calls.

Taking a look at the headband, ASUS has opted for a combination of PU leather, fabric and metallic detailing around the lightweight frame, providing a fairly comfortable fit for prolonged gaming sessions. Admittedly, I would prefer this headset to take advantage of a floating headband design, as they typically remain more comfortable over time, but the cushioning on this headset has not led to any discomfort so far. The headband feels surprisingly sturdy to the touch, but the hefty padding ensures the headset doesn’t feel as if it is pushing against your skull.

The lightweight design of the ASUS ROG Delta II likely plays a factor in its overall comfort, as the headset manages to include plenty of padding whilst not feeling like a burden to wear. Weighing in at 315g, this is one of the lightest wireless headsets I’ve used. The weight will vary depending on factors such as the microphone being attached or the type of earcups equipped.

One design choice I’m happy to see on the ROG Delta II is the detachable microphone. Compared to the AI Beamforming microphone on the ROG Delta S Wireless, an ASUS headset we’ve reviewed previously, the detachable microphone on the ROG Delta II is straightforward and more reliable.

Overall, the design of the ASUS ROG Delta II certainly exuberates quality, with plenty of small touches that allows this headset to stand out from other gaming headsets.

Sound Quality

To test the audio on both the speakers and the microphone, I used the headset for a wide variety of tasks, to see how it would compare to other gaming headsets and headphones. As a premium headset, it is important for the ROG Delta II to provide high-quality sound that will compete with high-end headphones -let alone headsets- as well as offer crystal clear audio when talking through the microphone.

To test the sound quality of the ASUS ROG Delta II, I used this headset across a broad range of activities and applications such as listening to music and audio while editing videos, as well as playing a number of different games. On top of this, I also recorded a demonstration of the microphone, which can be found below:

On the whole, the audio quality was strong througout my testing. Playback on the microphone was clear and had no issues picking up my voice when talking normally. As for the speakers, the sound was clear and the headset managed to blend multiple forms of media well, making it an ideal option for gamers that like to listen to music while playing their favourite titles.

Features We Like

Tri-Mode Connectivity

Without a doubt, the biggest strength of the ASUS ROG Delta II is the connectivity. Having the ability to connect to all of your devices using one headset is great for enthusiasts, as many headsets can’t offer such flexibility. On top of this, switching between devices is very easy. There are some benefits to choosing one connection type over the other, but all three modes work well, giving gamers plenty of methods to connect this headset to their favourite devices.

DualFlow Audio

A major benefit that is possible thanks to the tri-mode connectivity on the ASUS ROG Delta II is DualFlow Audio. This feature allows the headset to connect to two devices simultaneously, with full control over the playback of each device. This opens up a wide range of multitasking possibilities. For example, you could be talking to a friend or family on the phone via Bluetooth, whilst also playing a game and using in-game chat via 2.4GHz. DualFlow Audio is a great example of a luxurious feature that headsets like the ASUS ROG Delta II should provide to streamline the overall gaming experience.

Features We Don’t Like

ASUS Armoury Crate

Software has been a consistent issue when we’ve tested ASUS products in the past. More specifically, trying to use the ASUS Armoury Crate software regularly leads to some form of challenge. Despite the customisation options being detailed and easy to interact with, I encountered several issues when trying to access these customisation options.

First, I couldn’t get Armoury Crate to recognise the headset at all on my laptop, even though the device was connected using the recommended methods. In addition, when I did manage to gain access to the settings through my PC, the app would frequently say the device was not turned on, which would then lock me out from making any tweaks to the headset.

Headband Design

When it comes to the design of the ASUS ROG Delta II, the main issue I have with this headset is the headband. Though the headset felt comfortable during my limited time using it, the unified headband design does leave me concerned that the firmness which makes it so comfortable will fade over time. Instead, I would have preferred ASUS to adopt the floating headband design used on the likes of the Logitech G733 and Corsair HS80 MAX.