We’ve had the pleasure of reviewing multiple gaming headsets over the years, but I will admit, it’s nice to be reviewing a LucidSound headset again for all the nostalgia this brand brings me personally.
We’re checking out the LS10P wired gaming headset here, which serves as an entry-level headset geared towards younger or more casual gamers. But for the lack of frills or high-end features, the LS10P succeeds where it counts, providing a solid headset that sounds great and is easy to set up and use, making it an incredible value for just under A$50.
Design
From a design perspective, the LS10P won’t blow anyone away, but I’m a fan of the clean and minimal design LucidSound is going for here. The adjustable headband feels sturdy enough and flexes well, making it a comfortable fit for larger heads like mine.
The Ls10P is available in either Black or White, but it’s worth noting that the ‘P’ in LS10P stands for PlayStation, and there are alternate colourways for the Xbox or LS10X versions.
The fabric-wrapped headband is fine, and while the headset itself is quite light at 246g, I still felt the weight up top over the course of a couple of hours, and would have loved a ski band to help distribute the weight even further.
Thankfully, the softly padded earcups wrapped in mesh fabric are surprisingly breathable, meaning this barely traps any sort of annoying heat or sweat over longer gaming sessions. Of course, it will trap heat over time, but even then, I rarely found myself annoyed by it.
Inside the box, you’ll only really find the headset itself. Still, I do think that the 1.09m 3.5mm audio cable could have benefited from being a removable one, as these hardwired options barely give you any options to fix or replace them, if this were to break off or loosen over time.
The earcups fit nicely, even over my bigger ears, and all controls are essentially confined to the left earcup. Simply flip the microphone down to use, and up again to mute, while using the outer wheel to control master volume levels.
I had mentioned that this design won’t blow anyone away, but for a very reasonably priced entry-level headset such as this, it’s certainly doing enough.
Performance
The included 50mm drivers are surprisingly punchy, with a decent soundstage that only occasionally feels overwhelmed by bass levels. The actual bass, along with multiple lower notes, feels and sounds great, and the actual maximum master volume is also quite loud.
While the mids and highs also sound fine at regular volumes, there can be a bit of distortion at times, especially at louder volume levels. It’s unfortunately a common issue with entry-level headsets, but it’s far from a deal breaker.
While the LS10P lacks any sort of software for EQ customisation, it is compatible with the PlayStation 5’s Temptest 3D AudioTech, meaning the actual console can utilise the stereo sound of the earcups to further add varying levels of sound, which aim to simulate the feeling of surround sound.
While it’s more of a technicality covered by the console itself as opposed to the headset, there’s enough here in these drivers that it does add to the overall immersion in most instances.
Finally, the omnidirectional microphone aims to pick up sounds from any direction rather than just one, but given the solid arm it’s on, I can’t imagine this adding much to the overall gain and quality. It sounds a little tinny at times, but rarely low or choppy, making it a fine option when gaming with friends.
Verdict & Value
For what it’s worth, the LucidSound Ls10P wired gaming headset is a decent value option that succeeds at the basics, even if it’s not really trying to provide much more.
While hardcore gamers or audiophiles might look elsewhere, I would urge more casual or younger gamers to try this one out for its excellent value and solid audio.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Solid build quality; Comfortable earcups; Decent audio quality
Lowlights: The lack of a ski band means you can feel the weight of the headset after a couple of hours; Slight distortion at higher volumes
Manufacturer: PowerA
Price: A$49
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by LucidSound and can be found at Big W.
