The ST100 is more than just a headphone stand. That was the first thing I had to wrap my head around when Corsair asked if I would like to take it for a spin. Instead, the ST100 combines its purposes, saving you desk space, and offers the unique ability to open any set of analog headphones you have to full 7.1 surround sound. Is it worth the $59.99 MSRP? Let’s find out.
Specifications
- MSRP: $59.99
- Function: Headphone stand, USB hub/charger, sound card
- Compatibility: PC
- Inputs: 2x USB 3.1, 1x 4-pole 3.5mm
- Cable: USB
- Warranty: 2-years
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The ST100 came as a bit of a surprise. Corsair has been making waves in the peripheral world for years, pushing boundaries with their flagship products like the K70 RGB mechanical keyboards and the Scimitar MMO mouse. These peripherals are game changers, and the appeal of a high-end mouse or keyboard is obvious to even the newest PC gamers. The headphone stand, on the other hand, may be the most overlooked part of a gamer’s set up. In fact, few gamers I know even use one. That Corsair’s next peripheral would be a headset stand is more than a little unexpected.
So, color me surprised that with the ST100, Corsair have not only made the headset stand worth remembering but have also made it one of my most used peripherals - and not just for holding headphones, either.
What makes the ST100 stand out are its extra features. It acts as a mini USB hub, for one, with two USB 3.1 ports on the top and side. My Void Pro RGB headset stays plugged into one and the other makes the perfect fast-charging port for my cell phone. This is much more convenient than having to string a USB cable behind my tower to reach my motherboard’s fast-charging port. Instead, the ST100 stays plugs in there and delivers that charge right to my desktop, freeing me from annoyance or the need of an AC adapter. It’s also perfect for those one-off devices like webcams that may not need to be plugged in 24/7.
The other neat feature of the ST100 is that it includes a sound card. A 4-pole 3.5mm headset jack allows you to plug in any headset or pair of earbuds and take full advantage of Corsair’s surround sound and equalization software. It’s the same thing we enjoyed on the Void Pro RGB, and does a good job of widening the soundstage to give you a sense of space. You also have access to custom or preset equalizer profiles, though you’ll have to open the software to do any switching. A future version would benefit from an onboard button to profile switch.
The other standout feature is the RGB illumination. This diminutive stand features nine separate lighting zones around its base and the “sails” logo on the arm. It defaults to the usual rainbow wave, but you can choose from handful of customizable presets or create your own lighting profile. Corsair is the industry leader when it comes to RGB customization, and the ST100 is no exception. I love that customize the exact gradient of my color shift and tailor its speed and tail, and every other facet, to my liking. If you have other Corsair peripherals, syncing is as easy as ever.
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Though some may scoff at the idea of an RGB headset stand, it really does look great on the desk. Not only is it one more piece in a color-synced desk top, but getting your headphones up on a stand just makes everything look cleaner and more organized. If you don’t want the RGB, you can, of course, turn it off.
The ST100 works perfectly as a headphone stand, but you expected that. It has a heavy, non-slip base and a metal finish that resists fingerprints. Since you won’t be handling it a lot (and even if you did), I expect it to last for ages.
Final Thoughts
The ST100 surprised me. I knew I needed a headphone stand so my headsets wouldn’t just rest on my desk and collect pet hair. Having the extra USB ports and the option for surround sound on one of my higher end stereo headsets? Those are features I didn’t even know I wanted in a headphone stand. Now, I’m able to get rid of my half-used USB hub, finally get my headphones off my desk, and have one more piece of color synced gear to add flair. For $59.99, it may not be for everybody, but it’s definitely something RGB enthusiasts should consider.
The product discussed in this article was provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
Pros
- Brings two USB ports to your desk top
- USB 3.1 is great for fast charging
- Opens stereo headphones up to surround sound
- RGB looks great and syncs easily
Cons
- Expensive
