ASUS ROG Gjallar soundbar and Raikiri II Pro controller target premium PC gaming setups

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ASUS ROG Gjallar soundbar and Raikiri II Pro controller target premium PC gaming setups

ASUS is expanding its Republic of Gamers lineup with two new peripherals aimed at players who want a cleaner and more capable desktop gaming setup. The company has introduced the ROG Gjallar, a 2.1.2 channel gaming soundbar with Dolby Atmos support, and the ROG Raikiri II Pro, a high end wireless controller with a color display, removable rear buttons, and long battery life.

The ROG Gjallar is the more unusual product of the two because dedicated PC gaming soundbars are still not common. Many PC players rely on headsets, compact desktop speakers, or TV focused soundbars, but ASUS is positioning this model specifically for gaming desks while keeping support for consoles and TVs.

The soundbar uses four 50mm full range drivers and two 27mm high fidelity tweeters inside the main unit. It also includes upward firing channels for Dolby Atmos audio, which should help create a taller and more spacious soundstage in supported games, movies, and streaming content. A slim 6.5 inch wireless subwoofer handles low end output and connects over 5GHz wireless.

ROG Gjallar brings Dolby Atmos, a wireless subwoofer, and broad platform support

ASUS is pairing the Gjallar with an all in one control hub for easier access to EQ settings, playback controls, input switching, and RGB lighting. The hub also includes Acoustic Echo Cancellation microphones, which could help with voice chat or calls without needing a separate microphone in some setups.

Connectivity is broad. The Gjallar supports USB C, HDMI 2.1 with eARC, optical, AUX, and Bluetooth 5.3. ASUS also includes a USB Type A hub on the side of the soundbar for easier device connections. Aura RGB lighting is included as well, with up to 16.8 million colors and four preset effects.

ProductKey features
ROG Gjallar2.1.2 channel soundbar, Dolby Atmos, wireless 6.5 inch subwoofer
Main soundbar driversFour 50mm full range drivers and two 27mm tweeters
ConnectivityUSB C, HDMI 2.1 eARC, optical, AUX, Bluetooth 5.3
Extra featuresControl hub, Acoustic Echo Cancellation microphones, USB Type A hub, Aura RGB
ROG Raikiri II ProWireless controller with color display and up to 79 hours battery life
Controller upgrades8,000Hz polling, hot swappable TMR sticks, four removable rear bumpers
Trigger systemDual Mode Triggers with short travel and full travel options
PricingNot announced

The soundbar is mainly aimed at PC gamers, but its HDMI, optical, AUX, and Bluetooth support also make it suitable for PlayStation, Xbox, TV, and living room setups. That flexibility could help it appeal to players who use one desk or display for multiple systems.

The ROG Raikiri II Pro is ASUS’s new flagship style controller. It includes a full color display that can be used for quick adjustments such as button remapping, vibration strength, joystick calibration, RGB lighting, and brightness. This should make it easier to change settings without always opening software on a PC.

One of the biggest upgrades is the move to an 8,000Hz polling rate, up from 1,000Hz on the previous Pro model. In practical terms, that gives the controller a much higher input reporting rate, although the real world benefit will depend on the game, connection mode, and player sensitivity.

ASUS is also using hot swappable TMR joysticks, which are meant to reduce the risk of stick drift over time. Stick drift remains one of the most frustrating long term problems for modern controllers, so replaceable or more durable joystick modules are a useful feature for premium gamepads.

The controller also adds extra claw bumpers, bringing the total to four. These buttons are removable and fully remappable, giving players more control options for shooters, racing games, action games, and competitive titles. Dual Mode Triggers let players switch between short travel micro switch triggers and full travel TMR sensor triggers, depending on whether they want fast actuation or more analog control.

ASUS has not confirmed pricing or release timing for either product. That will matter because both devices are clearly positioned above basic gaming accessories. For reference, the original ROG Raikiri Pro has recently been seen at $149.99, so the Raikiri II Pro could land in premium controller territory.

The Gjallar and Raikiri II Pro show ASUS trying to cover more of the gaming desk beyond keyboards, mice, and monitors. The soundbar gives PC players a more console like audio option with Dolby Atmos and a subwoofer, while the controller focuses on customization, low latency, and durability. If the pricing is reasonable, both could become strong additions to higher end ROG setups.

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