The ROG Azoth Extreme that we reviewed a while back left a sour taste in the mouth. Sure, it’s a great gaming keyboard and probably one that you’d want to own if you touched it. However, if did have one glaring issue: it’s price. ASUS ROG probably noticed that and made something between the ROG Azoth (base model) and the weirdly expensive ROG Azoth Extreme in the ROG Azoth X which we will review this time. Is the middle brother something you should check out? Let’s find out in this review!
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Switch | ROG NX Mechanical Switch (Snow V2 / Strom V2) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 (TypeC to TypeA) Bluetooth 5.1 RF 2.4GHz |
| Lighting | RGB Per keys |
| Aura Sync | Yes |
| Anti-Ghosting | N Key Rollover |
| Macro Keys | All Keys Programmable |
| USB Report Rate | (USB Report rate) 1000 Hz |
| Cable | 2M USB type A to C braided cable |
| OS | macOS® 10.11 or later Windows® 11 |
| Software | Armoury Crate |
| Dimensions | 325.4 x 136.2 x 40 mm |
| Weight | 1600g (with wrist rest) |
| Color | White |
| Contents | • ROG Azoth X • Wrist rest • ROG keycap puller • ROG switch puller • Ctrl keycap • ROG NX switches * 3 • USB dongle • USB extender • USB C to USB A cable (2m) • ROG sticker • Quick start guide • Warranty booklet • ROG thank you card |
In this review, we used the ROG NX Snow V2 variant of the ROG Azoth X.
ASUS ROG seems to be going ham in providing multiple connections to their devices. Similar to other ROG gaming peripherals, the ROG Azoth X can be connected in three different ways: cable wire, wireless dongle, and via Bluetooth. This also means that the ROG Azoth X can be connected to three different devices, just not simultaneously as it would cause issues.
Like its brothers, the ROG Azoth X has an OLED display on its upper right corner. This display is highly customizable and when used in tandem with the knob, can give you valuable information happening on your PC.
The knob can be interacted with in three different ways: push up, pull down, and press. This allows you to change tracks, play with the volume settings, change the RGB lighting, and other things. This means that you don’t need to open and go to Armoury Crate just to tinker with the settings of your keyboard.
ASUS ROG thought that changing your keyboard’s settings using their app, Armoury Crate, is a chore (often times, it is) so they made it possible for users to change it via browsers. A neat feature for those that are aiming to use just the ROG Azoth X and no other ROG or ASUS peripherals. It’s also a great feature for those that want to use this keyboard but are not allowed to install the ROG Armoury Crate on their devices to customize.
As of this review, you can only access Gear Link and its features either via Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
Speed Tap, or Snap Tap if you’re a Razer User, allows the user to simultaneously press two buttons at the same time but the keyboard will only read the latest button press. This is an extremely useful feature if you’re into FPS games as strafing can be done more reliably. In typical games, if you press buttons bound to two different directions, the game will read that as you cancelling movement. When using the ROG Azoth X’s Speed Tap, the game will read only your latest button press, allowing you to strafe reliably on the direction that you want, and eliminating the need for the other button to be unpressed.
You can have up to five pairs via the Armoury Crate app setting. You can switch this feature on or off also via the app.
There’s something magical with typing on the ROG Azoth X. The keys are immaculate and the feel is just buttery. “Smooth” is probably the right word for this. The “thock” that most of us want in a gaming keyboard, just after every button press, just feels right here.
It’s akin to a custom keyboard, having the switches lubed, and the keycaps being of a quality far above what you’d imagine getting from a manufactured, ready-to-use keyboard.
Though this is a personal thing, getting the white version may be a great if you have a white PC. However, you do have to contend with the fact that it will get a bit gray or yellow after a while. I would have wanted to check this with the ROG Azoth X but I need to spend an extensive amount of time to check. Just for now, keep that in mind if you wish to make this your be all, end all keyboard.
As mentioned above, the ROG Azoth X is loaded with features that you might use in everyday use. The Display up on the upper right gives you additional info on your screen, mostly removing the need to navigate through your PC just to get the info that you want.
The know also makes things faster as you can simply change volume, change the music that you’re hearing, and lighting with just a single flick. To add, you also get the Gear Link, a feature that allows you to customize and access the ROG Azoth X’s features without having to contend with installing and running ASUS’ Armoury Crate.
In terms of experience, ASUS ROG has loads of gaming keyboards out in the market and with that, they also know what the average user wants. Out of the box, the ROG Azoth X comes with translucent and dye-sublimated PBT keycaps, ensuring longevity of the prints and unique design. Surrounding it and acting as the top cover is machined aluminum, followed by Silicone gaskets to cushion. Underneath are layers upon layers of Poron foams and pads to act as cushion and also to muffle high-pitch key strokes.
And yes, you can do the above configuration and stacking with a custom keyboard but do note that you get all of these out of the box.
In this case, being the middle child ain’t so bad. The ROG Azoth X takes the good qualities of the ROG Azoth and levels it up a notch higher. It’s also great that it’s not as pricey as the ROG Azoth Extreme being almost half the price of its more expensive brother. With that said, the ROG Azoth X exudes great quality and feel. When buying a keyboard, the feel and the experience should be the top-most priority and this device delivers in spades.
While you can get the feel with a more affordable custom keyboard, you do get this thing ready and prepared out of the box. Besides that, you also get loads of features that make the ROG Azoth X more personal and customizable. All in all, the compatibility and the readiness of the keyboard to be partnered with virtually anything is a great selling point in my humble opinion.
With very practical features, an overall build quality that can make you proud, and a typing experience that will make you like typing, the ROG Azoth X gets a solid recommendation from me. You might just need to squint a bit when you open your wallet or your bank account for this.
The ROG Azoth X is now out in the Philippines with an SRP of PhP 16,290. Overseas, it currently has an SRP of US$279.99.
Get to know more about this device via ROG Azoth X official product page. If you fancy its more feature-filled brother, read our review of the ROG Azoth Extreme. Likewise, if you prefer a more affordable but great option, read our Hyper X Alloy Origins 65 review.
