It's never dull digging into an ASUS product, from their striking designs to taking chances on new technology, and the new ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White, a pair of in-ear gaming earbuds, is no exception. In addition, they build on the Cetra II Core series to bring an even more articulate-sounding product in white; they don't break the bank, either.
For games, the Cetra II Core sounds decent, and it's good enough for music. Thanks to its 3.5-mm audio connector and long cord, the device work with almost any system. However, finding a comfortable fit isn't that easy, and the earbuds are a bit light on extra features.
Color: White
Interface: Wired
Driver Size: 9.4mm
Noise cancellation: No
Weight: 18g
If you need something light and small to stash in your backpack, these buds are worth a look, but if you're skeptical of the earbud paradigm, this isn't the gadget to persuade you otherwise.
Ergonomic design with ultrasoft LSR ear fins
While it may not be the most significant factor, aesthetics are always a decision-making factor in choosing equipment. This is particularly true in the case of gaming gadgets. Even though the ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White is a simple device, it was designed with great care. Being in-ear devices, they are relatively small. As a result, they also lack the same design features as compared to the larger units.
That said, the ASUS ROG Cetra II Core has an ergonomic design with ultrasoft LSR ear fins and tips for a perfect fit on both ears. Ear fins aren't novel, although they're not as common as one might think. They make it possible to place the earphones in the ear without them moving around too much. It also helps keep it in the right position for the best “noise-canceling” effect. Even after wearing it for over two hours while gaming, the Cetra II Core was still comfortable even without the ear fins.
The matte white coating complements the Cetra II Core's greyish aluminum appearance while also adding a touch of shine. The ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White is made of sleek, lightweight aluminum and has a stunning, beautiful style that is enhanced for scratch resistance, improving aesthetics and durability while weighing only 18g.
The Cetra II Core comes with three silicone ear tips and a pair of foam ear tips, just like other in-ear headphones. In addition, the earbuds come with three sets of silicone ear fins in various sizes.
The Cetra II Core has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is ideal if you use it with more devices than a smartphone. The 90° cable connector also contributes to improved comfort when playing handheld games.
The thin cable of the Cetra II Core, on the other hand, isn't very reassuring. It's just a standard rubberized wire. Surprisingly, neither of them had a braided cable, which is typical of gaming-related cables. A handy travel case is, however, included in the package, which is always a plus for entry-level earphones.
Good gaming performance
Despite its flaws, the ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White excels at its primary function. The device's ability to handle gaming sound was demonstrated by connecting to various consoles, and it performed brilliantly across the board. On PC, Valorant came through loud and clear; on mobile, the peripheral performed even better.
The Cetra II Core provides superb audio for mobile gaming. The ROG earphones featured a clear audio output with tons of bass in single-player games like Genshin Impact, making for an immersive experience. In addition, the Cetra II Core performed admirably in multiplayer games like Call of Duty Mobile. It also gives you the feeling of being there in the middle of the action, and it gives you an immersive experience to help you locate your adversaries.
The buds have a built-in mic that picks up nearby audio, including vocals and other ambient sounds, and is certified by Discord and TeamSpeak. Volume up, play/pause, and volume down are the three buttons on the inline mic and controls.
The verdict: ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White
The ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White isn't exactly packed with features. For starters, there is no Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) technology, which was previously available in the original Cetra II Core. However, it achieves what it sets out to do. It's a budget-friendly pair of earbuds that are tuned expressly for gaming and small enough to fit in a pocket, as well as simple enough to use with almost any system.
The build quality is also acceptable, thanks to the aluminum frame of each earphone and the fact that ASUS was able to incorporate ASUS Essence liquid silicone rubber (LSR) drivers for gaming-grade sound. While it isn't perfect, it is a strong candidate for those seeking high-quality sound in a compact size.
