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The ASUS ROG Gjallar is a feature-packed 2.1.2 gaming soundbar, but its $599.99 MSRP did not buy a clear sound-quality advantage in Tom’s Hardware’s review. The reviewer found its game audio clear enough and its echo cancellation effective, but also reported a limited soundstage, strained midrange at times and microphone speech that sounded fuzzy and clipped. It makes the most sense if its connected inputs, wireless subwoofer and control hub suit your setup—not if you expect premium sound or a dependable built-in gaming mic to justify the price on their own.
What is the ROG Gjallar, and what comes in the system?
ASUS describes the Gjallar as a 2.1.2 Dolby Atmos gaming soundbar paired with a wireless 5 GHz subwoofer. Its official specifications list four 50 mm full-range drivers, two 27 mm tweeters and one 165 mm (6.5-inch) subwoofer, with a stated frequency response of 50 Hz–20 kHz. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements of sound output. ASUS’s technical specifications list the subwoofer at 65 watts.
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The soundbar weighs 2.4 kg, the subwoofer 5.7 kg and the control hub 0.191 kg, according to ASUS. The announced bundle includes two AC cables, an adapter, a USB cable, one pair of soundbar feet, a quick-start guide and a warranty booklet. ASUS cautions that specifications and availability may vary by model and market and can change without notice. Check the official specification page for regional details.
How does the Gjallar sound in games, movies and music?
In Sarah Jacobsson Purewal’s Tom’s Hardware review, published August 24, 2026, game details remained audible and directionality was about what the reviewer expected from a soundbar. Music could have clear vocals and some bass depth, but the soundstage felt limited; the midrange sometimes strained. Overall, the reviewer found the sound good enough for a soundbar, but not distinctive among premium gaming soundbars. These are subjective impressions from one review, not laboratory measurements or a controlled comparison.
#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 review’s central judgment was: “The ROG Gjallar sounds good for music, movies, and games — and sounding good is, of course, the most important part of a soundbar. But it doesn’t sound that good.” Read the full Tom’s Hardware review.
That matters at this price: a 2.1.2 layout and Dolby Atmos branding describe the system’s configuration and format support, not a guarantee of a spacious or convincing height effect in every room. The review did not establish a clear sound-quality lead over other premium gaming soundbars, and it was not a controlled head-to-head test.
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.
Is the built-in microphone good for gaming chat?
There is a meaningful split between echo handling and voice quality. In the reviewer’s test, the microphone’s echo cancellation kept soundbar playback from leaking into calls, but callers struggled to understand the reviewer: speech sounded fuzzy and words were often cut off. Moving the control hub directly in front of the reviewer and reducing processing did not fix the problem in that test. That is one reviewer’s experience, not proof every setup will behave the same way.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →ASUS’s FAQ explains that simultaneous noise suppression or voice enhancement in communications software, system audio software and Gear Link can over-process a voice recording. ASUS says the default AI Noise Reduction level is Medium and advises users to disable overlapping processing first, then lower Gjallar’s reduction in Gear Link if the recording still sounds unnatural. See ASUS’s microphone troubleshooting steps.
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.
Why does my microphone recording sound compressed or unnatural?
- Turn off overlapping noise suppression or voice enhancement in your chat app and system audio software, then record a short test.
- If the voice still sounds processed, open Gear Link and lower the Gjallar AI Noise Reduction level from its default Medium setting.
- Test again with the same microphone position and speaking level so you can tell whether the change helped.
This follows ASUS’s troubleshooting guidance; it does not erase the different result in Tom’s Hardware’s review, where reducing processing did not solve the reviewer’s intelligibility problem.
Will it connect to your PC, console and display?
ASUS lists USB-A, 3.5 mm, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI IN, HDMI OUT (eARC) and optical among the connections. It lists PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Series, iOS, Android and Bluetooth devices as supported platforms. ASUS also advertises HDMI pass-through up to 4K at 120 Hz; that is a manufacturer claim, not an independently verified result in the supplied review evidence. ASUS’s July 9, 2026 launch announcement describes the pass-through feature.
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
For display audio to return through HDMI OUT (eARC), the connected display must support ARC or eARC. ASUS notes that most PC monitors do not. If you plan to connect a console to the soundbar and send video on to a display, distinguish that HDMI pass-through path from using the display’s eARC connection to send its audio back.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →ASUS’s setup guidance says a PC can connect by USB-C or HDMI while a console connects over HDMI, with source switching from the control hub or the soundbar’s source button. On newly installed Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, ASUS says Dolby Atmos streaming content may require Microsoft’s official Dolby AC-3 Decoder. That instruction is version-specific; consult ASUS’s FAQ for the applicable setup details.
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 are the control hub and Gear Link like to use?
ASUS announced a hub with an LCD, source switching and EQ profiles, plus two USB-A ports on its sides. Deeper EQ, lighting and microphone adjustments are handled through the web-based Gear Link tool. The control hub makes the system’s source and profile functions accessible, but the review found its buttons and wheel could not be remapped. Subwoofer-level adjustment also depended on Gear Link, which the reviewer disliked having to access over the internet. ASUS’s announcement describes the hub and software features; the control limitations are from Tom’s Hardware’s review.
That software dependency is worth weighing if you often tune bass or expect physical controls to be customizable. The source material establishes that deeper settings use Gear Link, but does not establish what functions remain available if the web tool is inaccessible.
What did it cost, and who should buy it?
Tom’s Hardware listed $599.99 as the Gjallar’s MSRP/review price. Its review page showed an Amazon offer of $643.65 when published; that was a listing at the time, not a current price. Check live offers and regional availability before buying. The review page carries the historical price context.
- Consider it if you want a single soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer, multiple connection types, advertised 4K/120 Hz HDMI pass-through and a hub for source switching.
- Think carefully if soundstage, consistent microphone intelligibility, remappable physical controls or easy offline bass adjustment are priorities. The review raised concerns about the first three areas, while Gear Link dependence affects the last.
- Compare alternatives before paying premium pricing if your main goal is a substantial sound-quality step up. The available review evidence does not show that the Gjallar clearly outperforms other premium gaming soundbars.
For a PC or mixed console setup, the Gjallar’s strongest case is its combination of inputs and system design, not a proven acoustic edge. If the sound matters more than the all-in-one feature set, audition it against suitable separate speakers and a dedicated microphone where possible; there is no controlled comparison here that establishes which option sounds better.
Quick Recap
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