LucidSound LS500X Gaming Headset
design
Picking up the LucidSound LS500X it does a decent job of hiding its price tag on first impression. Mine came in black, though there are white or striking “Indigo Fade” options too. It’s a simple design with an exposed, coiled cable connecting the two cups as the only real point of interest, but it looks smart enough overall. It’s similar to what we’ve seen recently on the Logitech G325 Lightspeed, a similarly priced competitor, and I’ve no real qualms with it. Build quality is reasonable enough, though once you actually put it on the budget positioning starts to become a little more obvious.
There’s noticeably little padding running along the headband which makes it far harder than most others I’ve tested. There’s just no real give or squidge to it and you can feel the internal frame rather than it being entirely masked in foam. The 265g weight does help offset this, it’s light enough that pressure doesn’t build as quickly as it might on a heavier headset, but there isn’t an immediate feeling of comfort when you first put it on. It’s not uncomfortable, but comfort levels aren’t a headline feature of the LS500X.
While not immediately obvious, the outside of each earcup features an integrated set of controls. This leaves a power button as the only obvious input on the entire headset and the result is sleek. These earcup controls are a clever idea on paper and one I can see being nicked by plenty of other brands. A single rotating ring on each cup handles volume and balance settings, and you can push the entire side panel in for things like EQ switching or mute. The only problem is the execution here shows signs of needing to keep costs down. The multi-tap commands need a really firm, accurate press in the dead centre of the dial, and I found myself misclicking more often than I’d like. The spin resistance is better judged, there’s enough friction to stop accidental changes, though the plastic-on-plastic scrape you can hear while wearing the LS500X undercuts how premium the idea comes off feeling.
The cushions are reasonably soft and comfortable, though they’re quite loud and scratchy against your head too. Every little movement of the pads sliding against my face seems to be amplified through the earcups, and because LucidSound has gone with a light clamping force, they move around more than a sturdier headset would allow. That light clamp is good news if you wear glasses, but it also means the LS500X is prone to sliding around when you turn your head quickly.
performance
Expectations are important when you’re looking at a headset of this price point. On raw quality it’s not going to compete with the likes of a Logitech A50 X at north of $300, but it’s not really trying to either. With that framing in mind, the LS500X does an admirable job for general gaming and PC productivity. It’s not the best headset I’ve listened to, it’s not remarkable in any one way or other, it’s just good listening.
Bass is admirable with enough low end rumble to keep it from ever feeling thin or hollow, even if it isn’t going to rattle you out of your skull. Explosions have plenty of oomph behind them and the bassline of tracks was present and rich. Detail is decent too. You’re not suddenly going to hear footsteps around the corner that you were oblivious to before, but there’s enough clarity to the general sound to have you locked in.
There are three EQ presets on board to dial things in, Signature Sound, Bass Boost, and FPS, and they’re distinct enough from each other to be worth switching between depending on what you’re playing or even just to get things to your liking. I left the LS500X on Signature Sound most of the time which felt like a good balance.
The LS500X’s mic isn’t bad and will certainly do the job for team chat without any issues, though I wouldn’t reach for it if you’re planning to stream. Admittedly it sounds better than I’d expect a boom mic on a headset of this price to sound, but it’s still unmistakably a small headset mic. The flip-to-mute functionality is a nice touch, however, and not something you always get on cheaper options.
LucidSound quotes up to 50 hours of playtime when you’re using the 2.4GHz wireless dongle and 70 hours over Bluetooth. I didn’t have the pleasure of running the LS500X all the way down during testing to actually verify those figures myself, but I was never reaching for a charger so I’ll take its word for it.
summed up
The LucidSound LS500X isn’t the best headset on the market but it certainly packs in more than its price suggests it should. Admirable sound quality, a boom mic with nifty mute functionality, and control dials that show real thought even if the execution doesn’t quite live up to the idea. Comfort and build quality are where things aren’t quite as good, and you’ll feel both within the first few minutes of wearing it.
If you’re not gaming for marathon sessions and can live with a firm headband and earcups that shift around a little, there’s a competent budget headset underneath, just make sure you go in knowing exactly what you’re trading away for that price.
