Upon unboxing the ROG Fusion II 500 headphones, the build quality immediately conveys a sense of robustness and quality. While lightweight, they do not feel flimsy. The inclusion of extra ear cushions is a welcome addition. Despite having a larger head size, I found the headphones easily adjustable for a comfortable fit.
A notable omission in the ROG Fusion II 500 from Asus is the lack of battery operation. Consequently, advanced features such as the 7.1 surround sound simulation are only functional when connected via the included USB-C cable. This connection also activates the headphones’ RGB lighting, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. When connected to an Xbox One or Playstation 4 via the 3.5mm jack, virtual 7.1 sound is unavailable, though chat-mix functionality remains. The absence of battery power in headphones within this price bracket is a surprising design choice.
The audio output is clear and well-defined, although the bass response, in my experience, is somewhat understated. When connected via USB-C, the digitally processed 7.1 surround sound mode can be enabled. Testing this feature with Avengers Endgame transformed my laptop into a compelling personal cinema experience.
One area of concern is the button control layout, which can be difficult to differentiate by feel when the headphones are worn. On several occasions, I inadvertently adjusted the wrong control when attempting to use the chat mix or volume. Differentiating between the knobs requires memorization of their respective positions, a challenge shared by other headsets such as the SteelSeries Arctis 7P. This can be less than ideal in fast-paced gaming scenarios.
The microphone mute button is also difficult to locate intuitively, and lacks a clear visual or tactile indicator of its status. This lack of feedback proves to be a notable annoyance.
In conclusion, the ROG Fusion II 500 from Asus presents a stylish and comfortable design coupled with good sound quality and a range of features. However, its user-friendliness is inconsistent, and its price point is relatively high.
Asus provided test samples for this review. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial independence.
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