Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4 Gaming Headset Review

If you're on the market for a new headset, you're really spoilt for choice these days. Every brand has at least one decent headset, and most of them a big range that would suit just about any budget. Back in the early days of me being at eTeknix, the F.R.E.Q.7 was my personal choice of gaming headset for a couple of years. I think I still have my old Mad Catz stuff somewhere too actually. However, that was a more premium and expensive model. The F.R.E.Q.4 is a bit more affordable. There are two models launched recently, the 2 and the 4. The 2 has 40mm drivers, and the 4 has RGB, virtual surround, and an ANC microphone while the 2 does not. Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4 Gaming Headset At around $60 it's not the most expensive headset, but it looks like Mad Catz has focused on getting really great hardware into the headset at a very competitive price. Hopefully, that doesn't mean too much compromise on the build quality, as something has to give to get the price that low. Of course, if you're getting surround, RGB, ENC, a retractable microphone, and more for this kind of money, it's a deal we're all too eager to explore. So let's get to it! Features 50mm DrivesChameleon RGB LightingF.L.U.X. Software Control7.1 Virtual SurroundRetractable MicrophoneENC Microphone What Mad Catz Had to Say "The F.R.E.Q.4 is equipped with super-sized 50mm Neodymium drivers that produce remarkable audio fidelity. With the advanced virtual 7.1 surround-sound, users can hear directional movements in-game and its noise-cancelling mic delivers crystal-clear audio without the background noise. The Chameleon RGB Lighting provides incredible effects on the earcups of the F.R.E.Q.4, ideal for tournament play!" - Mad Catz Product Trailer Packaging DRIVER UNIT: 50mm Neodymium Magnet with metal-plated diaphragmFREQUENCY: 100Hz-10K HzIMPEDANCE: 20Hz-20K HzSENSITIVITY: -40±3dbCHARACTERISTIC: Omni-directionalNOISE CANCELLING: YesFREQUENCY: 100Hz-10K HzSENSITIVITY: -40±3db The Packaging I like that they've kept the branding pretty uniform from the early days. If you don't know MadCatz fell under new ownership a few years back, and it's some of the old-school team that are really bringing the brand back to glory. Around the back, you'll find an image of the headset , as well as a few technical details. All pretty standard stuff really. The slip cover removed, you'll find a durable inner box. The headset is in a cardboard cut-out holder, with a protective bag over it. Nothing too crazy, but again this is a more affordable headset so don't expect a premium unboxing experience (albeit, I think premium boxes are a bit daft anyway). A Closer Look The headset its self is pretty much all blacked out. There are matte black bits and a slight bit of gloss in some areas, but otherwise, it has a very dark finish to it. That provides a very strong contrast for the chalk-white decals on the side, where you'll also find RGB backlighting that you can customise through the downloadable software. The old Mad Catz claw marks logo is on each side of the headband mount, that's not RGB lit. However, the digital camo design is RGB lit. It actually reminds me of the design on some of the RoG stuff, but that's no bad thing, it's a cool design. As you can see, the headset is hard-wired with a USB cable. I do prefer a removable one, but at this price, it's not a deal-breaker. The cable runs up and through the headband too, so it's only coming off of the bottom of the left ear cup. The headset uses the classic twin steel headband design to keep it clamped to your head. However, there's a padded inner headband that's obviously a lot more comfortable. It uses a tension system to auto adjust to fit, meaning you just pop in on your head and it's ready to go. The ear cups are mounted with a small pivot arm. It's doesn't move a lot but it's enough to fit any slight off-angles when wearing it. I like the exposed screws design as well. The headset features a retracting microphone, which is a really welcome bonus at this price range. It's typically just a fixed boom or fold-up design. Just pull it out and it's ready to go. What's also cool is that it has ENC, so if you're wailing away on your noisy keyboard, it's going to filter a lot of that out and keep your chat sounding much clearer for your teammates. They'll thank you later. The headset is pretty comfortable, and design the completely round ear cups, they still provided good around the ear coverage for me. Plus, you do get a really decent amount of soft padding here and some PU leather. Sure, it'll make your ears sweat on the hot days, but it helps lock the sound in and the noise of the world around you out. The 50mm drives are pretty punchy too, which is always a welcome bonus. It's not the most refined sounding headset in the world, but at this price range, I wouldn't say it was designed to be either. It sounds good though, that's what matters really. There's a good bit of punch for the action-loving gamers, music lovers and movie fans. A good, albeit slightly boosted mid-range sound, but that brings out a lot more detail while you're gaming and the highs a really clear. They're well suited to gaming and music most of all. The 7.1 surround works pretty well, that tech has come along so much in recent years that it really does work. Just remember to turn it off for purely stereo sources or it'll sound like trash. Throw on Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 7.1 and be blown away though, it's fantastic. The cable is a little chunky, but a little way down the cable you'll find the handy controller. Here you can mute the microphone, adjust the master volume and turn on and off the 7.1 mix. As I said before, you don't want the surround on for non-surround sources, so having that quick toggle is very much welcome when you go from gaming to YouTube, etc. Again, I do think the cable is a bit bulky, but at the same time it does feel durable and like it'll last without damage. Overall, I do like the headset, but the overall design is a bit last week and the cable is cumbersome. Then again, if you route the cable under your desk, and have a headset hanger down the side, it'll feel less intrusive. It's clear Mad Catz retooled a much older headset with much more modern hardware to keep the cost down, and hey, it worked! How Much Does it Cost? The Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4 Gaming Headset was designed to be a more affordable headset. I mean, it's not the budget focused F.R.E.Q.2 but it does pack in a LOT of impressive hardware while keeping the cost low. Unfortunately, that seems like such a tempting idea that it's sold out. You can keep an eye on stock and prices in the UK here. In the US it's available for just $64.99. Overview I've had a little bit of an internal conflict about this headset, as it's not without its issues, but it seems Mad Catz are well aware of its shortcoming too. The price of this headset is low, and that reflects on the issues it has. Well, actually I'd say it compensates for them more than anything and as a result, the headset becomes excellent value for money. Build Quality and Design It's a bit old hat really, these are the style of headsets we saw 5-10 years ago more than what we see now. It's not ugly, but it's not exactly a looker either. That being said, I love a nice looking headset, but I can't see it while it's on my head, so who gives a smeg. It's very comfortable, it's not too heavy, the ear cup padding is forgiving, and at the end of the day, I'll take that over looks. The build quality is basic but durable. Such as the hard-wired cable, it's a bit chunky, but it is robust, so no real issues there. Performance While not the most refined headset in the world, it's certainly competitive in this price range. They've put a strong focus on quality drivers here, and they pack plenty of punch. I think the out of the box sound is a little boosted, but I do like the sound. You can EQ it to suit your taste though and the surround features and RGB customisation make the software a pleasant addition overall. The microphone stands out too, with ENC to filter out background noise. Overall, you'll struggle to find a better sound at this price range. Should I Buy One? The design is a bit old-school, but the hardware is right here in the present. If you want decent audio this is a really interesting option, especially since you get surround processing, ENC, powerful drives, and RGB at a price that isn't going to hurt your wallet. Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4 Gaming Headset Review