Over the past few years, LucidSound has made a name for itself by releasing high-quality gaming headsets with excellent sound, intuitive controls, and lag-free wireless connectivity. The LS31 wireless surround sound gaming headset aims to continue that trend with a focus on versatility across platforms, custom-tuned 50mm audio drivers, and up to 15 hours of battery life.
I put the LucidSound LS31 through extensive testing over the past several weeks to see if it lives up to both its promises and its $150 price point in 2024. Read on for the full review.
Overview of LucidSound as a Brand
Founded in 2015 in San Diego, California, LucidSound specializes in premium gaming audio gear. They are best known for their cross-platform wireless headsets designed specifically with the needs of gamers in mind.
While the company may not have the brand recognition of older giants like Turtle Beach or HyperX, LucidSound has quickly made a name for itself by delivering products with excellent sound quality, intuitive controls, extended wireless range, and multi-device connectivity.
Their headsets work seamlessly across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices. Models like the LS41 and LS35X consistently earn praise from gamers and reviewers alike.
The LS31 wireless surround sound gaming headset launched in 2018 as a mid-range option targeting cross-platform gamers who desired wireless flexibility, custom-tuned audio, easy on-ear controls, and marathon-ready battery life.
LucidSound LS31 Key Features and Specifications
Before diving into the review, let‘s look at an overview of the LucidSound LS31‘s standout features and technical specifications:
- 50mm custom-tuned neodymium drivers
- Supports surround sound on Xbox/Windows 10 via Windows Sonic
- 15+ hours of battery life per charge
- Wireless range up to 30+ feet
- On-ear controls for separate game and chat volumes
- Dual mics with mic monitoring capability
- Works wirelessly with PS4/PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac
- Supports passive use with phones/tablets via 3.5mm jack
- Over-ear closed-back design with memory foam earpads
- Metal headband with durable construction
- Weight: 378 grams
Design and Build Quality
The LucidSound LS31 makes a strong first impression with its clean, minimalist aesthetics. The predominant matte black color scheme gives it a premium, high-end look. Touches like the stitching on the headband and metallic blue accents on the earcups add subtle elegance.
The mostly metal and plastic construction feels very solid and durable. The earcups can fold in to make the headset more portable, while the metal headband easily adjusts to provide a secure yet comfortable fit. Setup consists simply of charging and syncing with the USB wireless dongle or audio cable.
While not the most compact, lightweight headset, the LS31 remains comfortable even during longer gaming sessions thanks to its well-padded leatherette earcups and nicely balanced weight distribution.
The LS31 likely won‘t turn heads aesthetically like the stunning Razer Barracuda Pro. However, LucidSound focused more on clean, functional design language rather than flashy RGB lighting and angular shapes. Gamers seeking a premium yet understated look will appreciate the styling.
Sound Performance and Quality
Arguably the most important aspect of any gaming headset is sound quality and performance. This is an area where LucidSound generally shines, thanks to its audio-centric focus and custom-tuned drivers.
The LS31 lives up to expectations with impressively full, detailed sound across the frequency spectrum. The 50mm neodymium drivers have been specifically tuned for gaming rather than strict audiophile-level neutrality. So while music reproduction sounds very good, the LS31 truly comes alive when playing games.
Explosions pack a punchy, visceral bass thump while gunshots crack with sharp attack. Directional audio cues come through clearly, enabling pinpoint accuracy in shooters. Dialogue always remains crisp and discernable even amid chaotic action.
Compared head-to-head against the similarly-priced SteelSeries Arctis 7P wireless headset, the LS31 has the edge for gaming audio. The sound seems fuller and more hard-hitting overall on the LS31.
Windows Sonic virtual surround can further expand the sense of space on Xbox consoles or Windows PCs. While not as advanced as Dolby Atmos spatial audio, Sonic provides a wider, more immersive soundstage. Just don‘t expect the full 7.1 channel experience.
For gaming purposes, the LS31‘s audio performance matches or beats any wireless headset in its price range. It even outpaces more expensive models like the Astro A50 in some areas like bass impact. LucidSound‘s audio expertise is on full display here.
Features and Connectivity
One of the LucidSound LS31‘s biggest selling points is its versatility across a wide range of devices. It connects wirelessly via a low-latency USB dongle to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PCs, and Macs.
You can then switch seamlessly between two paired devices with the press of a button on the earcup. The LS31 also supports passive wired use with phones, tablets, and portable gaming systems using the 3.5mm audio cable.
Wireless range easily reaches across even larger living rooms, as I got clear reception 35+ feet away through walls. Latency is practically nonexistent thanks to LucidSound‘s gaming-first wireless tech that outperforms standard Bluetooth.
On-ear controls give you quick access to critical functions for gaming. The intuitive dials allow adjusting chat mix and game volume independently. You can also toggle surround sound or bass boost modes. And the mic mutes instantly when flipping it upwards to the off position.
My only small gripe is lack of microphone sidetone monitoring unless you hold down a button to activate it temporarily. Having constant mic feedback would make the LS31 nearly perfect. Still, these are excellent features for the price.
Gaming Performance
So how does the LucidSound LS31 actually perform for playing games across various platforms? In a word: excellently. Its gaming-focused versatility, audio quality, wireless stability, and intuitive controls make gaming an absolute pleasure across the board.
On PlayStation 5, the LS31 delivers a flawless wireless experience. Simply pair the USB dongle, set device priority, adjust chat/game mix to taste via the onboard controls, and you‘re all set. The perceptually lag-free audio makes it easy to immerse yourself in PS5 titles and get the jump on online opponents.
Xbox Series X gaming shines with simulated surround enabled by Windows Sonic spatial sound. Halo Infinite‘s epic battles fill the sonic space with environmental cues and weapon effects coming from all directions. And I never experienced any audio dropouts or sync issues even 30+ feet from the console.
For multiplayer battles in Call of Duty on PC, having separate game and chat control is clutch. I can easily focus on team chatter without explosions drowning it out or keep my volume levels optimized as the chaos rises and falls. No matter how frenetic the action gets, the LS31 keeps up with flying colors.
The LS31 also works great for Nintendo Switch gaming in handheld mode thanks to the 3.5mm audio cable connection. With the gaming audio profile activated, everything from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sounds fantastic. And 15 hours of battery life means you can leave the charger behind.
Microphone Quality
A gaming headset‘s microphone quality makes a huge difference in online multiplayer communication clarity. LucidSound equipped the LS31 with dual microphone arrays including one beamforming mic in the left earcup.
Overall, teammates reported my voice sounded clear and easily understandable while gaming. However, it doesn‘t sound quite as full-bodied or detailed as a high-end boom mic from the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. There is occasionally some faint hiss detectable in quieter settings.
Still, for a headset mic the sound quality holds up respectably well. Just speak up a bit more than normal, and your squad will have no issues hearing callouts and coordinating play. Remember to flip up the mic boom muted when not talking.
Battery Life
The LS31‘s rated 15 hours of continuous battery life per charge essentially provides all-day longevity. With moderate use (gaming 1-3 hours daily), you can easily go 4+ days without thinking about charging. And when it comes time to juice up, the battery recharges fully in 3 hours.
During my testing, battery life consistently surpassed LucidSound‘s estimates by giving me around 17 hours of use at moderate volume levels. Only once did the LS31 die just shy of 14 hours after forgetting to charge overnight.
That longevity beats most competitors in this price range handily. So hardcore gamers who regularly game many hours daily can rely on the LS31 without constantly swapping to a wired connection to avoid powering down. It sets a new standard for this headset category.
Value and Comparison to Alternatives
At around $150 street price currently, the LucidSound competes with other reputable wireless gaming headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. It costs significantly less than "true" wireless options without any dongle like the Xbox Wireless Headset.
For that reasonable mid-range price, you get superb wireless sound quality and features on par with or exceeding pricier products, plus incredible battery life. LucidSound packs tremendous value into the LS31 making it highly competitive within the wireless headset arena.
The Arctis 7P or BlackShark V2 Pro may still make sense for PS5 or PC-only gamers invested in those respective ecosystems. However, the LS31 outshines both for cross-platform use cases with its versatility, controls, and battery longevity advantage.
If your budget allows, the LS41 and LS35X flagship LucidSound models provide further benefits like seamless Xbox wireless compatibility, Bluetooth mobile connections, and amplified Windows spatial sound. Still, most gamers don‘t need to spend extra when the LS31 delivers so much already.
The Verdict
LucidSound aimed to hit a sweet spot of great gaming sound, premium features, and reasonable cost with the LS31 wireless gaming headset. Based on in-depth testing and analysis, LucidSound absolutely succeeded with flying colors.
The LS31 offers superb audio reproduction fueled by custom-tuned 50mm neodymium drivers. It sounds excellent for music and even better for surround gaming use. Intuitive onboard controls make personalizing settings effortless without menu-diving.
Moreover, it really sets itself apart by delivering stellar wireless performance across every platform from PlayStation and Xbox consoles to Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices. Battery life is frankly astonishing at over 15 hours per charge as well.
Factor in the durable yet comfortable design, very reasonable price given the features, and LucidSound‘s reputation for quality, and choosing the LS31 becomes nearly a no-brainer wireless gaming headset recommendation.
