The first MQA headphones are (nearly) here

ROG Delta S is Asus' first MQA headphone
(Image credit: Asus)

The first headphones with MQA technology inside have just been announced – and they are called the Asus ROG Delta S.

For the uninitiated, MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated. It’s a method of digitally capturing and storing original master recordings as files that are small and convenient enough to download or stream, without the sonic sacrifices traditionally associated with compressed files.

The technology used by streaming service Tidal to serve up its Tidal Masters hi-res library of tunes, and is supported by plenty of hi-fi hardware, from systems to DACs, to deliver hi-res music to people's home.

The ROG Delta S are the first headphones with a MQA Renderer, which pairs with a MQA decoder (like Tidal) and unlocks the maximum quality of a MQA file.

But the Delta S isn't aimed at audiophiles. It's actually a gaming headphone – ROG stands for Republic of Gamers. It promises "unmatched realism with impeccably clear, detailed audio to give gamers the ultimate experience". They'll work with another music source too, of course.

Will they spur a new generation of more traditional MQA headphones? It would be an interesting development in the MQA journey, which has gained prominence and support in the audio industry over recent years. For now, though, we'll have to wait to see how the Asus pair are received. And before that, we'll also have to wait for their release date and price to be revealed.

MORE:

MQA audio: What is it? How can you get it?

High-resolution audio: everything you need to know

Best headphones 2020

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test