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Quick Answer: The Corsair ST100 RGB wins on features — 7.1 surround sound hub, USB charging, and RGB lighting in one package. The Brainwavz Hengja wins on value, desk space savings, and build quality per dollar. Choose the ST100 for a feature-rich battlestation hub; choose the Hengja for zero-footprint minimalist headset storage at $30.
Introduction
The Corsair ST100 RGB and Brainwavz Hengja share one core function — holding your headset off the desk — but approach it from completely different angles. The ST100 is a $100 peripheral hub with surround sound, USB charging, and RGB. The Hengja is a $30 all-metal clamp that keeps your headset accessible without using desk space at all. If you’re shopping for a headphone stand and trying to decide between these two, the choice comes down to what you need beyond “something to hold my headset.”
Quick Comparison
| Corsair ST100 RGB | Brainwavz Hengja | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$100 | ~$30 ✅ |
| Desk Footprint | ~130mm base | Zero (monitor clamp) ✅ |
| 7.1 Surround Sound | Yes (USB hub) ✅ | No |
| USB Charging Ports | 2x USB-A ✅ | None |
| RGB Lighting | Yes (iCUE) ✅ | No |
| Build Material | Aluminum base + plastic arm | All-metal aluminum ✅ |
| Power Required | Yes (USB to PC) | No ✅ |
| Setup Time | Cable routing needed | 30 seconds ✅ |
| iCUE Integration | Yes ✅ | No |
Features — ST100 vs Hengja
The ST100 wins this category completely. It’s a headphone stand that also functions as a USB 7.1 surround sound card — plug any wired 3.5mm headset into the ST100’s audio output, connect the stand to your PC via USB, and your PC sees a 7.1 audio device. No separate DAC purchase needed. Add two USB-A charging ports and 16-zone RGB iCUE lighting, and the ST100 is genuinely a desk peripheral hub that happens to also store your headset.
The Hengja has no features beyond holding your headset. No USB, no audio, no RGB. That’s by design — it’s the minimalist choice — but if you want any of those extras, the Hengja doesn’t deliver them.
Winner: Corsair ST100 RGB — it has features the Hengja doesn’t and can’t have.
Desk Space — ST100 vs Hengja
The Hengja’s monitor-clamp design means no desk surface is used — it hangs off the back or top of your monitor and extends the arm forward to hang the headset. For space-constrained setups or dual-monitor battlestations where desk surface is already maxed, this is a genuine advantage. The ST100’s 130mm weighted base occupies desk surface permanently. It’s stable and not enormous, but it’s there.
Winner: Brainwavz Hengja — zero footprint vs. 130mm base; a concrete difference for compact setups.
Build Quality — ST100 vs Hengja
The ST100’s base is weighted aluminum — solid, stable, won’t tip with heavy headsets. The upper arm is plastic, which feels noticeably less premium than the base. The Hengja is all-metal aluminum throughout — no plastic contact surfaces anywhere. At $30, the Hengja’s full-metal construction is exceptional quality for the price. The ST100 doesn’t feel cheap, but the Hengja wins on material quality per dollar.
Winner: Brainwavz Hengja — all-metal at $30 vs aluminum base + plastic arm at $100.
Value — ST100 vs Hengja
$100 vs $30 — the Hengja is dramatically better value if all you need is headset storage. The ST100’s premium is justified specifically by the 7.1 surround sound hub and USB charging — if you need a USB audio upgrade and happen to want a headphone stand, the ST100 is cost-effective compared to buying each separately. If you already have a DAC/amp and just need somewhere to put your headset, the ST100’s extra $70 doesn’t make sense.
Winner: Brainwavz Hengja — pure headset storage at $30 vs $100; the ST100 earns its premium only when you use the bundle features.
Use Case Breakdown
Buy the Corsair ST100 RGB if:
- You want 7.1 surround sound for a wired headset without buying a separate DAC
- USB charging ports on the desk are useful for your device ecosystem
- Corsair iCUE RGB sync is part of your battlestation aesthetic
- Desk surface space isn’t a constraint
- You’re getting full value from the bundle (surround + charging + RGB)
Buy the Brainwavz Hengja if:
- Zero desk footprint is the priority — space-limited setup
- Minimalist clean battlestation aesthetic matters more than RGB
- Budget is $30 — exceptional build quality for the money
- You already have a DAC/amp and don’t need surround processing
- Simple one-task solution without cables or software
Verdict
The Corsair ST100 RGB is the better stand if you use its features — the surround sound hub alone can justify the price if it replaces a separate USB DAC purchase. The Brainwavz Hengja is the better stand if you just need headset storage — better build quality, zero footprint, no cables, $70 cheaper. Know what you need before buying: feature hub or minimalist hanger.
Where to Buy
FAQ
Does the Corsair ST100 RGB work with wireless headsets?
The ST100 holds any headset regardless of wireless or wired — the hanger arm fits all standard headbands. The 7.1 surround sound hub only works with headsets connected via the 3.5mm audio output on the stand base. If you use a wireless headset (Arctis Nova 3P, HS65 Surround), you still benefit from the USB charging ports and RGB lighting, but surround sound goes through the headset’s own wireless dongle, not the ST100.
Can I use the Corsair ST100 on PS5?
The ST100’s 7.1 surround sound hub connects via USB-A to a PC and is recognized as a Windows/Mac audio device — it doesn’t function as a PS5 peripheral audio hub. You can store your headset on the ST100 stand while using it wirelessly with the PS5, and the USB charging ports work for phone charging regardless of platform. The surround sound feature is PC-only.
Does the Corsair ST100 need iCUE software to work?
No. The surround sound hub and USB charging work without iCUE installed — plug in via USB and they’re active. Without iCUE, the RGB lighting defaults to a rainbow cycle. iCUE is optional software for customizing lighting, EQ settings, and syncing with other Corsair devices. Install it for full control; skip it if you don’t want background software running.
