F.R.E.Q. 5 Headset
F.R.E.Q. 5 Headset
As part of their CYBORG range of PC accessories Mad Catz have started to release their F.R.E.Q. 5 range of headsets in a striking range of colours. These can be matched to go with the R.A.T 7 mouse and totally trasnsform the look of your desktop into a well designed and functional gaming hub. For the sake of this review we got our hands on a pair of the red and blasck headphones with the striking Mad Catz logo on each ear cup.
The first thing you notice about this headset is the striking design and colour scheme that could only be described as pure class. This headset is designed to give powerful performance both while gaming and also plugged into any devise that has an ear phone jack. So when you unpack the F.R.E.Q. 5 you have a couple of extras in the box that include, a detachable mic., some instructions and also the end of the cable can be easily switched between a USB connection and an ordinary phono jack that allows you to plug into your MP3 player, phone, IPad, Ipod and pretty much everything really.
Features
Powerful Stereo Sound Housing oversize speakers which pump out robust stereo sound with a wide dynamic range, the comfortable, spacious earcups provide clean and clear audio reproduction. Previously hidden details in your game’s audio soundscape will enrich your immersion and enhance your gameplay like never before. The skillfully engineered earcup design also helps block out distractions like excessive teammate chatter so you can focus on playing at your best.
Tough Yet Lightweight Metal Components Built to the same exacting standards as the award-winning Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. and constructed to survive the stress of LAN tournaments, the F.R.E.Q. 5 couples comfort with sturdiness to accommodate extended gaming sessions. Lightweight metal components provide ample adjustability to give you a customized fit – - and the cans even fold flat to support an around-the-neck resting position – - all while bringing a level of durability previously unheard of in PC gaming headset.
Precision-Balanced, Extra Large 50mm Drivers with Neodymium Magnets Utilizing the highest quality drivers available for use in commercial headsets – - Neodymium – - the F.R.E.Q. 5 PC Gaming Headset feeds high-fidelity audio through a pair of amplified 50mm speakers for deep bass and crisp undistorted highs.
Detachable Noise-Canceling Microphone with Illuminated Mute Notification When not using the mic to communicate with your online teammates, a headset’s microphone only gets in the way. Problem solved with the Mad Catz Cyborg F.R.E.Q. 5′s removable solution – - it provides the freedom to use the mic only when necessary. And when gaming in loud environments, advanced noise cancelation stifles ambient sounds to ensure your conversations are crystal-clear.
Toggling the microphone mute button prevents your teammates from hearing anything you don’t want them to, and red LED illumination in the tip of the detachable mic will never make you wonder whether or not they can hear you.
Easy to Locate On-Ear Controls Intuitive placement of all controls provides simple adjustability without the need to remove the headset. Mute the mic, tweak the volume, and toggle equalizer settings (Gaming, Music & Chat) all while keeping your eyes on your monitor.
Compatible with MP3 Players and Smartphones Use the headset’s handy quick-release connector to instantly gain MP3 player compatibility and convert the Mad Catz Cyborg F.R.E.Q. 5 into portable headphones. Just swap out its USB cord for the included 3.5mm audio cable and then plug directly into your device. And if you have a smartphone*, you can even take voice calls using the microphone.
*Supports Apple iPhone, Blackberry, and HTC handsets.
As previously mentioned this headset looks well with lots of character and shape, a reflective panel on either ear blending into the design with the Cyborg head logo in the centre of each panel. On the bottom of the right ear you will find the volume control, a simple roller used to adjust the volume. On the left ear you will find the detachable mic with mute button located at the top of the ear. The on-ear controls are easy to use, using your thumb for the volume control and your finger just lands on top of the mute button when you reach for it.
The headset is very comfortable. The inside of the head band has a soft plastic cushion and the ears also have plastic cushion around them. Once you put 
the headset on you can easily get into your game with the smart earcup design blocking out all distractions from the outside world, a very important feature for gamers.
Whilst the headset is tough and isn’t going to break anytime soon it is also lightweight, this is important during long gaming sessions because it stops fatigue. When you need to take the headset off to speak to somebody or just take a moment to rest the cans fold flat to support around-the-neck position, sitting comfortably against your chest. When you’re talking about a headset, or any kind of audio equipment, the first question you’re looking to get answered is how does it sound? Even if all you’re going to be using it for is to listen to other people talking while you’re playing your games, you’re going to want a headset that can do it better than any other. The F.R.E.Q. 5 is easily one of the best sounding headsets I’ve ever had the privilege to use, especially when listening to sounds that use a lot of bass. On multiple occasions I had to pause what I was listening to to make sure someone wasn’t knocking on my front door, the bass notes sounded so deep. That doesn’t mean that the rest of the auditory treats are lacking though, only the most hardcore audiophiles will be able to find anything wrong here, but at the end of day, quality is what you’re paying for and there’s no doubt that you’re getting it.
With the layout of the buttons on the headset you have a large wide volume button on you right ear which you will have no trouble finding when in play, also on the left ear you have the mute button and also an equaliser button to automatically adjust the sound quality to suit whatever it is you are doing at that moment in time. I found the F.R.E.Q 5 as good when plugged into my Ipod as my Beats Audio headset, and that is saying something !.
So having tested the F.R.E.Q. 5 headset in a variety of ways including watching movies on my IPad, which by the way will blow your mind especially if you are watching something like a war movie with a lot of explosions, I have come to the conclusion that I will never need another headset again for anything !!. The guys over at Mad Catz should be proud of this product as it screams quality and delivers on all fronts, dare I say it does exactly what it says on the box. Now I know that some of you out there might say that it is way too expencive at around £120, but let me just tell you it will replace all and any other heatsets that you own and will possibly be the last set you will ever buy or need to buy. So with that in mind the price does not seem too bad after all. Also bear in mind with the features, design and colour range that this now comes in, there is one that will not only suit everyone but will also make you the best equipped gamer out there. Just don’t be too scared, no matter how good it sounds, and how much it may seem like it, I’m not in the room with you; that’s just how good the microphone sounds.
About the Author
Google+
