ASUS ROG Delta II wireless gaming headset review — A do-it-all option

Not all headset brands are created equal. While I know a lot about ASUS as a hardware maker – and we even reviewed the ROG Xbox Ally recently – I had no clue they were in the headset market. Go figure. It's not a surprise they're involved in accessories to complement their and others devices, but I wasn't expecting them to be on the premium side. At a high-end price, does the ASUS ROG Delta II make sense to someone not familiar with the brand? Let's take a look.

Opening the black and red box, you'll find the ASUS ROG Delta II wireless gaming headset, a USB-C dongle, a USB-C charging cable with an adapter attached for the dongle, a 3.5mm cable, and a set of additional ear cups. I wasn't expecting the extra ear cups at all, which are a different style. Leather ear cups are automatically attached, but you can very easily swap them out for these ROG hybrid fabric ones if it's your preference.

One of the most impressive traits of the ROG Delta II is how light it is. Weighing in at only 318 grams (only three-quarters of a pound), you barely know it's on your head. While it's largely comfortable, the fabric and foam adorning the headband can get hot on your head, although oddly, it's a sensation that comes and goes sporadically. Both styles of ear cups are also big enough to envelope even my large ears, and the seal created keeps out noise even if you don't have them turned on and playing audio.

On said ear cups are a plethora of ports and controls. There are two 3.5mm jacks, one for the detachable mic and the other for running your headset wired. A USB-C port allows you to charge the ROG Delta II quickly. Buttons include a function one for controlling your music or turning off the RGB lighting, and a power button for Bluetooth connectivity, which will also allow controls for media or answering your phone. The last three are two volume wheels, which operate for each audio channel, and a power switch for the 2.4GHz mode. I love these last-mentioned controls; a switch lets me know my headset is on 100% of the time, and having separate volume wheels allows for adjustment without having to pick my phone up to change it.

Speaking of the two channels, the ROG Delta II does feature simultaneous connectivity. This DualFlow Audio allows you to use your dongle with one device while connecting to another via Bluetooth. The most common application will be for your phone, letting you listen to something in the background or answer a call while gaming. ASUS has done an incredible job crafting this functionality, especially with the aforementioned additional volume wheel. The balance is up to you, but the overlap is in the perfect place. I feel like both channels complement each other rather than compete against each other, which is exactly how simultaneous audio should be. I can hear both clearly, and that rocks.

You’ll be able to connect to just about any device as well. While the box lists PlayStation, PC, Switch, and mobile as the primary items you’ll use your USB dongle with, most platforms outside of Xbox and its proprietary chip will work with the ROG Delta II. I used it with my Steam Deck while playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, and it was great. Bluetooth opens the field even further, so experiment away!

When I first started playing games with the ROG Delta II, I wasn’t impressed. It must have been something with the software, because the audio sounded underbaked. After messing around with settings – including the awful Armoury Crate software we’ll discuss later – it’s clear this headset has a lot of potential on PC when you use it correctly.

The ROG Delta II has 50 mm titanium-plated diaphragm drivers, which boast some fantastic bass tones alongside great mids and highs. I often denote the best audio as that which has detail, and when optimized on PC or connected regularly to say PlayStation 5, the ROG Delta II showcases great tuning. I’ve been playing a lot of Fortnite and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II recently, and both have exhibited the different capabilities of this particular headset.

With a game like Fortnite, sound cues are everything. I appreciate Epic’s visual indicators, but I operate off of what I’m hearing. The directional audio is sublime – I got the drop on several players because I could predict exactly when they’d round a corner and be able to pre-fire their push. In KCD2, this game is more about the experience, and the versatility of the ROG Delta II creates an immersive quality I didn’t expect. Jaunting about Sedletz Monastery is a delight, with the auditory adventure matching the stunning visuals KCD2 has to offer.

Although the 10 mm super-wideband boom mic has a bit of a buzz when it peaks, I’m surprised at how well it picks up my voice. My comms have all been wonderfully clear, even when I’ve gotten animated at my frustrating miscues while in a multiplayer match. Your team being able to pinpoint an enemy via your direction is an important trait for a competitive-minded gamer, and the ROG Delta II handles that well for a gaming headset.

Also handled well, the battery life. You’ll have a hard time finding a headset with this kind of battery out there, offering up to 110-hours of charge. It’s true, as I have charged this headset all of once during my time using it. I’m impressed with it, which says something considering how little I usually discuss battery life in this section of a headset review.

Lastly, let's talk software. Nothing is available apart from PC, as the ROG Delta takes advantage of the PS5’s Tempest engine on the console side. While I like the number of options that Armoury Crate has, the delivery isn’t my favorite. When I open the audio tab, I’m presented with a lot of options for EQ, virtual surround sound, and more. The problem is that I didn’t notice the option for Sound Optimization until later on, as it’s not the clearest drop-down menu. Given you’re stuck on Flat to begin, the sound is quite literally flat. There are some great choices for music and more inside, but that first impression left me initially put off by the ROG Delta II. This menu choice should be clearer. I’d still suggest using your personal favorite EQ over Armoury Crate. For other settings, like adjusting a bit of microphone clarity or changing your RGB preference (I love the lighting on the ROG Delta II), it’s fine. I just think others have done EQ better.