Asus ROG Fusion II 500 in review: What a sound

Whether you're playing on a console, a computer, or a smartphone, the Asus ROG Fusion II 500 should provide high-quality surround sound in any environment.

The aim of Asus' new ROG Fusion II 500 headset is immersive sound, regardless of platform. Because wired headphones are compatible not only with PCs, but also with recent consoles such as the Playstation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch.

Smartphone users will receive their money's worth from the ROG Fusion II 500 as well.

 Workmanship, accessories, and equipment

The headset's appearance makes it clear that the ROG Fusion II 500 aims to mix gaming with quality. While the hard plastic exterior and bold RGB stripes scream gaming, the faux leather temple with metal straps and the etched surface beneath provide far more subtle, classic details.

A mix that doesn't really work for us, but with a headset on and out of our way most of the time, it's not too horrible.

But, regardless of where the design pieces come from, they are both of good quality and resistant to everyday bending and fall damage.

The ear cups leave a good impression as well. Depending on our needs, we can wear these on our ears made of mesh cloth or protein leather. With a little patience, laypeople can likewise readily manage the transition between materials.

Aside from the headset, the box also contains a 3.5 mm jack and a USB-C connection. With a length of 1.5 meters, these are long enough for desktop use but not so long that they interfere with mobile games or when hooked into a console controller. Asus supplies a USB-C to A adaptor as well.

The headset's setup is mostly automatic. After connecting the device to the computer, smartphone, or console with the appropriate cable, the ROG Fusion II 500 is identified and selected without any detours. Installation does not necessitate the use of the optional Armory Crate program.

Fit and comfort

The ROG Fusion II 500 sits comfortably on your head for numerous hours thanks to its over-ear ear cups. We can choose between imitation leather and mesh fabric. In both circumstances, the headset does not press against the ears or the skull.

Even greater pressure, in our judgment, could have been used. When we danced along to our favorite music during this test, the headset practically fell off our heads. Calmer minds should have no issues with the ROG Fusion II 500.

When it comes to comfort, the headset's headband does not disappoint. We didn't feel any pressure on our heads after several hours because of the fantastic fit and the faux leather cover.

Sound

When designing the ROG Fusion II 500, Asus appears to have devoted extra attention to acoustics. The technology is particularly remarkable when compared to many other gaming headsets, with the quad D/C converter Hi-Fi ESS 9280 Quad DAC and 50 mm Asus Essence neodymium speakers.

The datasheet also lists a frequency range of 20 to 40,000 Hz and an impedance of 32 ohms, which is sufficient for cellphones, laptops, and consoles.

The mids and highs are clear and well-balanced in relation to the bass. ROG Fusion II 500 sounds considerably fuller and more immersive when virtual 7.1 surround sound is enabled.

When gaming, we also benefit from surround sound. Accurately spotting foes in shooters such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was never an issue.

With the game conversation volume control, Asus adds a wonderful extra feature. We utilize it to easily modify the balance of game sound and voice chat.

The headset's microphone isn't nearly as loud, but it's adequate. Don't worry if you can't find it when you're unpacking the headset. Because, instead of a traditional boom microphone, Asus has integrated an AI beamforming microphone directly in the ROG Fusion II 500 headset.

This reduces space on the headset and is particularly convenient for usage on the road when a fold-out microphone would otherwise be in the way.

Unfortunately, despite AI noise cancellation, a tiny noise usually comes through when recording using the microphone. In addition, when compared to other headsets, the sound appeared extremely dull to us. But we don't want to be too severe.

Because the quality is more than adequate for clear communication in team talks via Discord or Teamspeak.

Operation

The ROG Fusion II 500 headset has four controls. On the left side, there is a mute switch and a volume dial that, when touched, activates the surround sound mode. On the right, there's another switch for switching between console and PC mode, as well as a wheel for modifying the game chat controls stated earlier.

While the wheels are easy to reach, the two switches are a touch too far up to be pressed swiftly and without pausing. With the console/PC mode controller, this isn't a big concern. There is certainly room for improvement, especially with the mute controls.

Customization and software

Those who wish to personalize the ROG Fusion II 500 beyond the on-ear switches can do so with the free and optional Asus Armory Crate software. In this section, we adjust the headset's sound and lights.

We have 8 presets for chat, music, cinema, and several game genres with the former, as well as an equalizer, to fine-tune the sound to our liking. Noise cancellation, surround sound, and microphone settings are also adjusted here.

Asus also supplies us with a variety of alternative defaults for the latter, which we can then color-adjust. You can also utilize the Aura Creator to generate more complicated lighting settings on your own.

Conclusion

With the ROG Fusion II 500, Asus has offered full-fledged audio. Whether we're on the move, on the couch, or in the office, the ROG Fusion II 500 delivers great sound every time. The headset's high comfort level and numerous equalization options also work in its favor.

Other areas, such as the plastic shell or the microphone, are more "functional." We can't really find any flaws with the headset.

Everyone must determine for himself whether "functional" is adequate for a wired headset costing roughly $200.