ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 300 Gaming Headset Review

A Closer Look and Performance

Out of the box, the ASUS ROG Strix Fusion 300 is sleek and stunning in terms of design. It’s a lot more refined than was we’re used to seeing from the ROG headset range. The back plate of the drives are closed up tight, and while rather featureless, has a slightly angular design to break up the surface.

If you like to wear your headset around your neck between games, you’ll be happy to see that you can fold the ear cups fully inwards to improve comfort. Of course, this also helps improve the fit over your ears too. Tucked into the bottom of the ear cup, there’s a small button for turning the on/off the virtual 7.1 surround processing.

The headset mount is nice and durable, with a built-in slider for easy on-the-fly adjustment to the overall fit.

The headset slider is made from metal, giving the headset added rigidity and strength. There’s a really good range to the fit too, allowing younger gamers and adults to easily adjust the headset to a suitable size.

The thicker earpad design is great too, and there’s a small amount of vertical pivot to each, allowing for an even better fit. Of course, you can choose which ear pads you have installed, and trying both is recommended, as you’re certain to favour one over the other, but it’s pretty subjective.

The headband is quite rigid, but there’s a free moving softer padded section for added comfort. It’s only mounted by legs where the L and R symbols are. This means the upper part can move a little, independant of the headband. Of course, that means if the headset moves around a little, it won’t drag over your hair and get uncomfortable.

Performance

With 50mm drivers installed, this headset promises a big sound and certainly delivers. I’m a big fan of heavy metal, and action/RPG type gaming. With that in mind, I like a thick bass note, warm mids and bright clear treble from my headsets, and the 300 ticks all those boxes. With the leather ear pads installed, it locks in the sound and blocks ambient noise from the listener too. This helps you get more engrossed in what you’re doing, and the tighter seal also gives the headset a deeper bass tone.

The softer pads are breathable, and you do lose a little bass, and can hear some ambient noise, but not too much. This is good in a busy and warm room as you are slightly more aware of your surroundings, and your ears are less likely to feel too hot after extended use.

USB or 3.5mm?

Put simply, why not both? The headset will draw extra power from the USB to allow it to use the 7.1 processor that is built in. Of course, this is great on consoles, just power the headset, then plug it into your controller and you still enjoy the same performance you get on PC over USB connections.

Microphone

I love the flip out microphone design, it’s pretty stealthy when it is tucked away, and I’ll be surprised if you noticed it in the other pictures of the review, at least before I pointed it out. It’s easily adjustable and non-obtrusive. Of course, with it being fold-away you’re unlikely to ever lose it when it’s not in use; unlike a detachable one.

The performance on the microphone is pretty decent, nothing amazing, but certainly competitive. It doesn’t pick up too much ambient noise, and it’s shorter design means you’re not breathing down it while gaming.

Another small touch about this headset that I like, and was almost caught off by given current market trends is the lighting. This lovely LED light on each of the drivers is just red… that’s it, no G, and no B. I like it, it fits the maturity of the new design and it’s understated.