How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D — biggest strength: ViviTouch 4D technology plus oversize 50mm dynamic drivers, so it's designed to make game audio feel physical rather than just loud.
• Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D — biggest trade-off: It's a wired 3.5 mm headset with a built-in mic, so it occupies a jack, a cable run and a chunk of your desk — and it only does one job.
• NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under — biggest strength: A foldable aluminum clamp that mounts under a desk without tools, holds up to 2 pounds, and adds a cable loop to keep cords from dragging.
• NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under — biggest trade-off: It produces no sound at all. It's a hanger, not a headset, and it can't fix bad audio.
• Buy the Mad Catz if you need an actual headset for Windows PC gaming and voice chat.
• Buy the NCHONHONG if you already own headphones and want them stored, protected and within reach.
The F.R.E.Q.4D is built around one idea: making game audio feel like it's happening to you. ViviTouch 4D technology is the headline — it's a sensory layer that's meant to make the sound feel alive rather than flat. Whether that reads as a gimmick or as a genuinely fun addition depends on what you play, but it's clearly the reason this headset exists as a separate product from a plain stereo set. Underneath that, you get oversize 50mm dynamic drivers with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range and 32 ohm impedance. That impedance figure matters for Windows PC buyers: 32 ohms is a low-impedance load, the kind of number that suggests it's meant to be driven by ordinary motherboard audio or a controller rather than a dedicated headphone amp.
The physical design is aimed at people who move their gear around. Mad Catz describes tough yet lightweight components built to survive LAN tournament stress, and the padded, adjustable headrail is designed to fit a wide range of head sizes. The earcup-integrated microphone with mute is the practical part for Windows PC use — it's right there on the cup, so you're not hunting for a boom arm or a separate mic when you want to coordinate with a team. GameSmart technology is the setup side of the story: it's there to make connecting to different devices straightforward, which is useful if the headset moves between a PC, a Mac and smart devices.
NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under: Who It's For
The NCHONHONG holder solves a completely different problem: where do the headphones live when you're not wearing them? It's a foldable aluminum hanger that clamps under a desk, shelf, cabinet or even a glass surface, and it fits surfaces from 0.2 inches up to 2 inches thick. Installation is tool-free — you adjust the screw knob to match your desk thickness and tighten. A top cover protects the desk surface, and the clamp is designed to hold firm without slipping. That's the whole pitch, and it's a good one if your desk is currently a nest of cables and gear.
The details are thoughtful for the category. The brushed aluminum body is rated to hold up to 2 pounds, which is more than enough for most headphones and headsets. Soft silicone padding sits between the hanger and your headband, and between the clamp and your desk, so neither gets scratched. There's a built-in cable loop that keeps the headset cord tidy and stops it dragging or tangling — and the description notes it'll hold USB charging cables too, which is a small thing that makes a real difference in a gaming setup. The raised end tip stops headphones sliding off. You can mount it horizontally or vertically depending on your layout, and the foldable design collapses to smaller than your palm when you're not using it.
Who should buy it? Anyone with a Windows PC setup who already owns headphones and wants them off the desk, off the floor and off the monitor stand — especially if desk space is tight or your cable keeps snagging on your chair. It's also a reasonable pick for controllers and small accessories, not just audio gear. Who should skip it? Anyone who doesn't have a suitable clamping surface, anyone who prefers a freestanding stand on the desk itself, and — obviously — anyone who doesn't own headphones yet. This holder does nothing for your sound.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for actual Windows PC gaming audio → Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D. It's the only one of the two that makes sound, with 50mm dynamic drivers and 20Hz–20kHz range.
• Best for voice chat → Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D. The earcup-integrated mic with mute is built for coordinating with a team.
• Best for freeing up desk space → NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under. Under-desk mounting plus a foldable hanger is exactly the point.
• Best for cable management → NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under. The built-in cable loop keeps cords from dragging, tangling or snagging.
• Best for protecting your gear and furniture → NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under. Silicone padding on both the hanger and the clamp.
• Best for travel and LAN bags → Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D. Lightweight build and adjustable headrail; the NCHONHONG folds small too, but it needs a surface to clamp onto.
• Best if you already own headphones you like → NCHONHONG Headphone Holder Under. Don't buy a second headset just to fix a storage problem.
• Best for a tight budget split → buy one, not both. Decide whether your bottleneck is sound or clutter, then spend there.
If you're setting up a Windows PC and you don't yet have a gaming headset, I'd buy the Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D. It's the product that actually changes your experience — 50mm drivers, 4D tactile audio, an integrated mic and a wired 3.5 mm connection that suits motherboard audio at 32 ohms. The NCHONHONG holder is genuinely well designed, and I'd recommend it without hesitation to anyone whose headphones already sound fine but keep ending up on the floor. But it's an accessory, and accessories should come second. Solve the sound first, then tidy the desk.
how to connect headphones to windows pc
With a wired headset like the Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.4D, you plug the 3.5 mm jack into your PC's headphone or headset port — the wired 3.5 mm connection is the standard route. Mad Catz's GameSmart technology is designed to make setup across different devices straightforward, and you can then pick the headset as your output and input device in Windows sound settings. The NCHONHONG holder has no connection to make; it's a physical mount only.
how to connect headphones to pc windows 10
The process is the same on Windows 10: connect the 3.5 mm plug, then select the headphones as the playback device and, if you want to use the mic, as the recording device. The F.R.E.Q.4D carries an earcup-integrated microphone with a mute control, so once Windows recognizes the input you can mute from the cup itself. If your PC has separate mic and headphone jacks, you may need a splitter — that's a cable matter, not a headset limitation.
how can i connect my headphones to my pc
Check what you're plugging into first. The F.R.E.Q.4D uses a 3.5 mm wired jack, which is the most universal option and works with PC, Mac and smart devices. If your headphones are wireless, you'd pair them over Bluetooth instead — but that's not this headset. For the NCHONHONG holder, there's nothing to connect; it just clamps under your desk and holds whatever you already own.
how to use headphones on pc
Once connected and selected in Windows, use them like any other headset: game audio and chat come through the cups, and the boom-free earcup mic picks up your voice for teammates. The F.R.E.Q.4D's padded, adjustable headrail and sound isolation are there to keep long sessions comfortable. When you're done, that's where the NCHONHONG holder earns its place — hang the headset under the desk, loop the cable, and it's ready for the next session.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Mad Catz Tritton ARK 100 vs dreamGEAR Bionik Sirex Gaming, JVC Clip Style Headphone vs MUSICOZY 3D, ENVEL USB vs HAOQUOOU Headphone Splitter 3.5mm