ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 700

byWei Song

ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 700

When we think of gaming headsets, we immediately imagine an ostentatious design with RGB lights blaring. That is not so much the case for the understated ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 700. The profile of the headset is sleek, without unnecessary edges or sharp corners. The mic is also cleverly disguised in the left ear-cup that, unless you’re looking closely, you might not realize that there was even one.

The side panels are nice and clean with a glossy finish. They’re beveled around the edges to make the overall shape reminiscent of the ROG logo. The left panel features touch controls with instructions printed directly on the label.

As a gaming headset, it still features RGB lights at the back of the earcups, but these can be toggled on and oﬀ. My only gripe is that there isn’t a physical button to control the lighting. Out of the box, you are stuck with the RGB lights unless you download the ASUS Aura app to disable them.

Giving the ROG Strix Fusion 700 headset a try, it was immediately apparent that it was built for comfort. It fits nice and snug, without a vice-like squeeze, and with a cushioned headband, you won’t feel it weighing your head down too.

The ear cushions were large and roomy, giving the ears much-needed breathing space. The default leather ear cushions are excellent at sealing out most background noise. They do, however, get stuﬀy with prolonged use. You also get a pair of mesh ear cushions in the box, and these are amazingly breathable at the expense of less ambient noise isolation. It’s really a choice of personal preference, but I’m glad ASUS gave options here.

Performance-wise, the headset is excellent with crisp and clear audio. In Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the barks from automatic weapons and shotguns were distinct, and even the footfall of the Exo-Suits felt weighty. This is further enhanced by DTS Surround Sound 7.1 (which can be toggled on or oﬀ by a button at the back of the left earcup). It is not an exaggeration to say that you would really be able to pinpoint your enemies with this gaming headset. It does give very clear directional information.

When it comes to music, it holds up well too. There is a certain clarity and richness when listening to ballads. More weighty music like rock fares just as well with the bass hitting the right spots without overwhelming the rest of the instruments.

Another good point is that the ROG Strix Fusion 700 is both wired and wireless. This means it can connect to your mobile devices via Bluetooth, while staying plugged in to your gaming device – be it a PC or a PlayStation 4. If you wanted, you could easily have Spotify playing from your phone while running around in Fortnite.

The touch controls do take some getting used to. Simply swiping up or down on the touch panel allows us to adjust the volume on the fly. The play/pause option is a lot more finicky as you have to tap the middle of the panel which is not as easy as it sounds.

The mic on the ROG Strix Fusion 700 is decent enough. Grabbing the tab and pulling it down activates the mic and pushing it back into its slot deactivates it. Using it over Discord to chat, the mic had no problem picking up my voice, and the quality was clear. I did experience some lag here and there, but that had more to do with Discord than anything else.

The ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 700 is an excellent gaming headset and most of its flaws are minor at best. The reliance on the ASUS Aura app to control its more ostentatious aspect being one of the latter.

At $359, it is a moderately expensive headset, but the price well justified with quality design and audio. If you are looking for a gaming headset that can be used simultaneously with multiple devices, the ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 700 should be on your shortlist.