Asus ROG Gjallar Soundbar Review: Impressive Audio Marred by Microphone Failures
2 with Dolby Atmos processing, per a Gizmodo review.
Glenn Harwood·updated August 31, 2026
The Asus ROG Gjallar — the Republic of Gamers line's first dedicated gaming soundbar — delivers a 2.1.2 channel layout that scales to 5.1.2 with Dolby Atmos processing, per a Gizmodo review. The $600 three-component system pairs a compact soundbar and side-firing subwoofer with a USB-C-tethered hub housing integrated microphones for voice communication and input control. The data shows audio output meeting baseline gaming benchmarks while the microphone subsystem fails to meet its stated function.
Audio Output
The bar's up-firing drivers generate measurable height cues, and the 2.1.2 configuration translates into directional in-game audio. During Fortnite sessions, environmental signals — footsteps, gunfire — registered from multiple axes. Cyberpunk 2077 playback was rated solid but less spatially resolved; ambient elements such as rainfall and passing vehicles lacked positional separation. Frequency response skews toward volume and low-end extension over midrange nuance, and EQ presets include a dedicated movie mode that did not fully compensate for tonal flatness on television content. Direct comparison against the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar favored the Bose on clarity per the reviewer. The subwoofer's large footprint produces strong low-end output, particularly noticeable on film playback.
Microphone Hub
The USB-C hub contains the microphones, input switching, and control surface. According to Gizmodo, the hub's listening and voice-command responsiveness are subpar at best. Voice transmission — half of the product's stated value proposition — fails to clear the threshold required for reliable multiplayer communication.
Verdict
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Gaming audio (directional) | Pass |
| Gaming audio (spatial nuance) | Marginal |
| Non-gaming (TV/film) | Below average |
| Microphone/voice chat | Fail |
| Price-to-performance at $600 | Unjustified |
Skip. The Gjallar ships with one functional half and one non-functional half at a premium price point. Buyers requiring headset-free voice chat should wait for a revised hub firmware or an alternative product. For gaming audio alone, conventional stereo bookshelves or a current-generation headset deliver better return per dollar.