We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a simple, plug-straight-into-anything pair of in-ear gaming earbuds for PC, console and handheld play, choose ASUS ROG Cetra II; if you need a desktop USB DAC amp that turns any stereo headset you already own into a 7.1 surround, footstep-hunting machine, choose Fosi Audio C3.
• ASUS ROG Cetra II — biggest strength: wired 3.5 mm in-ear buds with LSR (liquid silicone rubber) ASUS Essence drivers, a 90° cable connector and a lightweight aluminum housing that works across PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch and mobile.
• ASUS ROG Cetra II — biggest trade-off: it's a passive analog headset with passive noise cancellation only — no surround DSP, no mic processing, no EQ software, and no amplification of its own.
• Fosi Audio C3 — biggest strength: a USB DAC amp built around the CS43131 chip with native 7.1 surround, HRTF positional audio, StepSense footstep enhancement, intelligent mic noise reduction and custom EQ.
• Fosi Audio C3 — biggest trade-off: it is not a headset. It's a desktop box — you still need to supply your own headphones and microphone, and it lives on your desk rather than in your pocket.
• Who each pick is for: Cetra II for someone who wants one small wired pair of buds that just works everywhere; C3 for a PC or console player who already owns a headset and wants to upgrade the sound processing behind it.
The Cetra II Core is, at heart, a very focused product: a wired in-ear headset with a 3.5 mm jack. ASUS builds the drivers from liquid silicone rubber, and the point of that material choice is stability — the driver is designed to hold its shape and deliver strong bass rather than flex and smear under heavy low-end. The rated frequency range runs from 20Hz to 40KHz, impedance is 32 ohm, and the driver type is dynamic. In plain terms: this is an easy-to-drive analog earbud, not something that demands a dedicated amp to make noise.
The design details tell you who ASUS had in mind. The 90° connector keeps the cable angled out of the way, which matters most when the source is a handheld or a controller — a Switch in your hands, a phone in your pocket, a gamepad on the couch. The housing is aluminum, which ASUS pairs with scratch resistance and a lightweight feel, and the whole thing weighs 18 g. There's touch control plus a push-button control method, and passive noise cancellation, which is the isolating kind that comes from a sealed in-ear fit rather than active electronics. That's also why ASUS spends a bullet on tip fit: if the earbud tips don't seal your ear canals properly, you won't get the intended sound quality or call performance. Swapping to a snugger tip size is part of owning these.
Who should buy it: someone who wants a single small wired pair that travels between PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile without adapters or drivers. Someone who prefers buds over over-ear cups, and who likes the clean Moonlight White look that ASUS ties into a wider matching set of peripherals and laptops.
Fosi Audio C3: Who It's For
The C3 is a different category of product entirely — it's a desktop USB DAC and headphone amplifier aimed at gamers. Fosi Audio builds it around the CS43131 DAC, supporting 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 117 dB and an output of 320mW ×2, which the spec sheet says is enough to drive headphones from 16 to 300 ohm. That last figure is the interesting one: it means the C3 can sit behind a wide spread of headsets, from sensitive in-ears up to harder-to-drive over-ears, and give them more clean headroom than a motherboard jack typically manages.
The gaming features are the reason it exists. StepSense footstep radar is designed to lift enemy movement in the mix while keeping gunfire and explosions from steamrolling everything else — the goal being that you hear a footstep earlier and react sooner. Native 7.1 surround with HRTF processing creates a 360° positional impression through an ordinary stereo headset, so you're not required to buy a surround headset to get directional cues. There's also intelligent mic processing to cut keyboard clatter and room noise, plus a browser-based control panel with presets and custom EQ profiles for gaming, music and streaming. Physically it's small — roughly 3.7" × 3.69" × 1.72" — in a CNC aluminum body with ergonomic controls and a single USB-C connection.
The UAC mode switch is the detail I'd pay most attention to. In UAC 1.0 it runs at 16-bit/48kHz for plug-and-play compatibility with PS5 and Switch, and that's the mode where the FPS footstep detection and combat-cue prioritization apply. In UAC 2.0 it opens up 32-bit/384kHz full HiFi decoding on PC and Mac. So the same box is a console-friendly gaming dongle or a serious desktop DAC depending on which mode you flip to.
Who should buy it: a PC or console player who already owns a headset they like and wants better positional audio, more output, and a cleaner mic signal without replacing the headphones. Also anyone who wants a tidy single-USB-C desktop setup with physical volume control. Who should skip it: someone who wants an all-in-one headset out of the box, or who plays mostly on the move — the C3 is a desk-bound device and it ships with a USB-A/C-to-USB-C cable, a Y-splitter cable and a manual, but no headphones and no microphone of its own.
• Owns no gaming headset at all → ASUS ROG Cetra II. The C3 has no drivers, no earcups and no mic; it's a processor, not a headset.
• Already owns a headset and wants better positional audio → Fosi Audio C3. Native 7.1 with HRTF is the whole point of the box.
• Plays FPS and cares about footstep cues → Fosi Audio C3, because StepSense is designed specifically to emphasize enemy movement and balance it against gunfire.
• Wants one pair of buds for PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch and mobile → ASUS ROG Cetra II, thanks to the 3.5 mm jack and 90° connector.
• Wants to drive demanding over-ear headphones properly → Fosi Audio C3, rated for 16–300 ohm loads at 320mW ×2.
• Wants zero setup, no software and no extra box → ASUS ROG Cetra II. It's analog and driver-free.
• Wants EQ presets and mic noise reduction → Fosi Audio C3, via browser-based controls and intelligent mic processing.
• Plays on the couch, in bed or on a handheld → ASUS ROG Cetra II. The C3 assumes a desktop with a free USB port.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Fosi Audio C3 — but only if you already own a headset you like. In my opinion, the C3 gives you more change per purchase: 7.1 surround, HRTF positioning, footstep enhancement, mic noise reduction, custom EQ and enough output to properly drive 16–300 ohm headphones. That's a genuine upgrade to the audio you already have. The Cetra II is the better answer for a different shopper — someone with no headset, or someone who wants a tiny wired pair of buds that works on every platform without a single driver install. Pick the C3 to upgrade a rig; pick the Cetra II to just plug in and play.
how to connect gaming headphones to pc
It depends on the connection. The ASUS ROG Cetra II uses a 3.5 mm jack, so it plugs into your PC's headphone port, a controller, or a handheld directly — no drivers needed. The Fosi Audio C3 connects over USB (a USB-A/C-to-USB-C cable is included) and acts as the audio device between your headphones and the PC.
how to use gaming headphones on pc
For the Cetra II, plug in the 3.5 mm connector and make sure the earbud tips seal properly — ASUS notes that a poor fit hurts sound and call quality. For the C3, connect it by USB-C, plug your headset and mic into it, and choose UAC 2.0 (32-bit/384kHz) for full HiFi decoding on PC; EQ and presets are handled through browser-based controls.
what is the best gaming headphones for pc
There's no single answer — it depends on what you already own. In my opinion, if you have a headset you like, the Fosi Audio C3 is the smarter add-on because it adds 7.1 surround, HRTF positioning and footstep enhancement to it. If you have nothing yet, the ASUS ROG Cetra II is the simpler starting point since it's a complete wired headset.
what is the best pc gaming headphones
Same logic applies. The Cetra II suits players who want a small, portable, plug-and-play in-ear set for PC and console alike, with LSR drivers, a 20Hz–40KHz range and a 90° cable. The C3 suits players chasing competitive positional accuracy — StepSense, 7.1 surround, a 117 dB SNR and 320mW ×2 output — as long as they supply their own headphones and mic.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro vs Corsair HS80, ADADPU Headset vs ROEL-PLAY in-Ear Open Fit: Headphones for, headphones surround sound, SOULWIT Earpads vs XANAD Hard Case