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The ASUS ROG Gjallar is a polished, connection-rich gaming soundbar, but its $599.99 review/MSRP price is hard to justify on sound alone. Tom’s Hardware found its game audio clear enough and its echo cancellation useful, yet reported a limited soundstage, occasional midrange strain, and microphone speech that sounded fuzzy and clipped. It is most appealing if you specifically want one desk-friendly system with a wireless subwoofer, HDMI pass-through, and a built-in mic; it is less convincing if sound quality and reliably intelligible voice chat are your priorities.
What the ROG Gjallar is—and what its specifications do not prove
Gjallar is a 2.1.2-channel soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer. ASUS lists four 50 mm full-range drivers, two 27 mm tweeters, and a 165 mm (6.5-inch) subwoofer, with a stated frequency response of 50 Hz–20 kHz. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements of the sound you will hear. ASUS also specifies a 65-watt subwoofer and lists the main bar at 2.4 kg, the subwoofer at 5.7 kg, and the control hub at 0.191 kg. See the ASUS ROG Gjallar specifications.
ASUS describes the 2.1.2 layout as Dolby Atmos-capable, with upward-firing channels, and says the subwoofer connects wirelessly over 5 GHz. The specifications describe hardware and supported features; they do not guarantee that every game, app, connection, or room will produce convincing overhead effects.
How does the Gjallar sound for games, music, and movies?
In Sarah Jacobsson Purewal’s August 24, 2026 Tom’s Hardware review, game details remained audible and directionality was roughly what the reviewer expected from a soundbar. Music could have some bass depth and clear vocals, but the stereo presentation felt limited, and the midrange sometimes sounded strained. The overall assessment was that it sounded good enough across games, music, and movies without standing out among premium gaming soundbars. These are one reviewer’s listening impressions, not lab measurements or a guarantee for every setup. Read the Tom’s Hardware review.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The practical distinction is between clarity and spaciousness. Gjallar can make game details and directional cues reasonably easy to follow, but a single bar cannot be assumed to create the broad, enveloping soundstage a listener might want from a multi-speaker setup. The review found no clear sound-quality advantage over other premium gaming soundbars, and it was not a controlled head-to-head test.
Is the built-in microphone good enough for voice chat?
The microphone system presents a meaningful trade-off. In the reviewer’s tests, echo cancellation kept soundbar playback from leaking substantially into calls, but callers had difficulty understanding the reviewer: speech sounded fuzzy and words were often cut off. Moving the control hub in front of the reviewer and reducing processing did not fix that problem in this particular test. That result is a warning about intelligibility, not proof that every user or room will have the same experience.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why does my microphone recording sound compressed or unnatural?
ASUS says overlapping noise suppression and voice-enhancement features can process a voice more than once and make it sound compressed or unnatural. The company says Gjallar’s AI Noise Reduction defaults to Medium. If recordings or calls sound processed, follow ASUS’s Gjallar FAQ guidance: disable overlapping noise suppression or voice enhancement in communications and system audio software, then lower AI Noise Reduction in Gear Link if needed. This is ASUS’s troubleshooting advice; it does not negate the reviewer’s separate report of clipped, fuzzy speech in testing.
What can you connect, and how does HDMI/eARC work?
ASUS lists USB-A, 3.5 mm audio, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI IN, HDMI OUT (eARC), and optical connections. Its supported-device list includes PC, Mac, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/Series, iOS, Android, and Bluetooth devices. ASUS advertises HDMI pass-through up to 4K at 120 Hz; that is a manufacturer-stated maximum, not an independently verified result for every source, display, cable, or configuration. The ASUS launch announcement describes the feature set.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
HDMI OUT (eARC) is for returning audio from a display to the soundbar, and that return path requires the display to support ARC or eARC. ASUS notes that most PC monitors do not support either. A console can connect to HDMI IN while a PC connects over USB-C/HDMI, with source switching through the control hub or the soundbar’s source button, according to ASUS’s setup FAQ.
There is also a Windows-specific caveat: ASUS says a newly installed Windows 11 24H2 or later system may need Microsoft’s official Dolby AC-3 Decoder for Dolby Atmos streaming content. That guidance is specific to the stated Windows versions and streaming-content scenario.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How usable are the controls and software?
ASUS announced a control hub with an LCD, source switching, and EQ profiles, plus side USB-A ports; Gear Link provides EQ, lighting, and microphone adjustments. The review found the hub well made but less flexible than expected: its button and wheel mappings could not be remapped. Deeper adjustments, including subwoofer level, depended on the web-based Gear Link tool, and the reviewer disliked needing an internet connection for that subwoofer adjustment. If you want to tune bass or remap physical controls without software, that dependence is a genuine usability drawback.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWho should buy the ROG Gjallar?
- Consider it if a single system’s broad connectivity, wireless subwoofer, HDMI pass-through, and integrated call microphone suit your desk or mixed gaming setup, and you are comfortable using Gear Link for deeper adjustments.
- Look elsewhere if the main reason to spend at this price is a wider soundstage, clearly superior sound, or dependable microphone intelligibility. The review did not establish a decisive audio edge over other premium gaming soundbars, and its mic findings were mixed.
- Check your display first if you plan to send audio back to the bar over HDMI: the display needs ARC/eARC, which many PC monitors lack.
Tom’s Hardware listed $599.99 as the MSRP/review price. Its page also showed an Amazon offer of $643.65 when published; that was a publication-time offer, not a current quote. Check live pricing and regional availability before buying. ASUS cautions that specifications and availability can vary by market and change without notice.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What comes in the box?
ASUS’s specification page lists two AC cables, an adapter, a USB cable, one pair of soundbar feet, a quick start guide, and a warranty booklet. Included items and availability can vary by model and market, so confirm the listing for the region and SKU you are buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
