A good gaming headset is essential for a lot of different types of gamers. For example, you might live in an apartment where playing games at their proper volume would bother the neighbors, or you might be a parent who only has time to play when the rest of the family is asleep, or you might always be squadding up in Destiny 2 or some other multiplayer-focused game. In any case, finding a set of headphones and microphone that doesn’t break the bank, works well and is comfortable can be difficult. The LS10P by Lucidsound is a set of headphones with a removable mic, intuitive controls, and a 3.5mm cable for connecting with a PS4 controller, Nintendo Switch, or mobile device.
Sound Quality
On console, I spent most of my time with these headphones playing Ace Combat 7. The LS10P handled the low bass-heavy thrum of jet engines and the high-pitched tones of missile lock warnings with equal clarity. While the headset doesn’t output full 5.1 surround sound the two-channel was effective enough at letting me orient myself in the aerial dogfights of AC:7.
On mobile, I listened to a variety of music and a few podcasts to get a sense of how well the LS10P works when plugged into a phone. The LS10P performs about as well in this regard as it does when connected to a console producing pleasing, quality sound that’s not quite as clear as you might find in a more expensive noise-canceling headset.
The mic in the LS10P is of similar quality to the speakers, which is to say solidly above average. The sound of the speaker’s voice is clear and understandable at anything above a whisper and anything below a shout. Occasionally sound will drop out mid-sentence but that seems to be more of a network issue with my PS4 than a problem with the mic. You probably wouldn’t want to record a podcast with it but this mic will handle a Destiny 2 strike or raid no problem.
Comfort
Comfort is where the LS10P really shines. I spent over six hours wearing these during one session, don’t judge me you’ve done it too, and experienced very little discomfort. The ear cups are big enough to fit over most people’s ears without pinching. The arc and tension of the headband kept the pressure of the cups even and didn’t cause aggravating pressure points. The headband and cups are made of a plush leather-like material that has a pleasant feel against the skin and is breathable enough to not cause excessive sweating. This is a wired headset which means it doesn’t have batteries, making it a little lighter than wireless models. As someone who has participated in 24-hour streams for Extra Life I greatly appreciated how comfy the LS10P is.
Durability
I’ve only spent a few days with the LS10Ps so I can’t speak to the headset’s long term durability. In close inspection, the device seems well put together though. It’s mostly plastic which is standard for this price range of headphones but it feels sturdy and well put together. The fittings on the 3.5mm jacks for the removable mic and the cord for connecting to a phone or controller appear robust enough to last.
Finishing touches
The LS10P has a few neat little details that don’t really fit into the categories above. The mic has a light on it that shows when it’s muted. The light is a little hard to see, I often needed to pull the mic up from my mouth to see it, but it beats pulling your headset off to check the position of a switch on one of the cups. The controls are simple and intuitive: tap the side of the headset with the mic to mute and un-mute said mic and rotate the outer ring of the same side to raise and lower volume. I found the controls much easier to use than the more standard in-line buttons on the cord or switches on the headset cups. The cups also have magnetic plates on the cups which would be a neat way to customize the headset if there were other colors available.
The thing about the 3.5mm standard connector is that it’s very versatile so while the LS10P is advertised as compatible with the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Mobile devices this headset will probably work with any device that has a 3.5mm jack. I was able to listen to vinyl on my turntable with them and I managed to get it working as either speakers or a mic on my PC. I’d need to invest in a 3.5mm splitter to get to do both. I already have a dedicated mic that I use on PC, though, so I wouldn’t need the LS10P’s mic when playing on PC anyway.
So is the LS10P right for you?
Like with most tech, the answer depends on your personal preferences. For someone who is less annoyed by a wired connection than needing to remember to charge a headset, the LS10P is a great choice. For someone who absolutely needs noise cancellation to be able to concentrate the LS10P is not a great idea. All the features listed on the box for the LS10P definitely work as advertised and, if you’re crafty, it’s versatile enough to do a bit more, and it’s very comfy.
