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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

LucidSound LS31 Wireless Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Review updated Feb 05, 2019 at 11:07 am
Latest change: Test bench update Nov 21, 2019 at 11:27 am
LucidSound LS31 Wireless Picture
6.3
Mixed Usage
7.1
Neutral Sound
5.7
Commute/Travel
5.8
Sports/Fitness
6.2
Office
7.3
Wireless Gaming
7.5
Wired Gaming
7.2
Phone Call

The LucidSound LS31 Wireless is a good gaming headset with plenty of control options but takes some time to get used to. It has decent audio reproduction and is comfortable for long gaming sessions. It also uses a dual-microphone system for accurate recording/transmitting of your voice. Unfortunately, the headset feels quite loose on the head and doesn’t create an air-tight seal, which is important for isolating ambient noise, meaning it will be better suited for quiet environments. On the upside, the USB dongle reduces the latency to a minimal amount that you shouldn’t notice, and you’ll be able to enjoy your games from your couch thanks to their good wireless range.

Our Verdict

6.3 Mixed Usage

The LucidSound LS31 are average for mixed usage. While they have decent audio reproduction and are quite comfortable, the bulky design won’t be ideal for commuting or sports. It also doesn’t isolate noise well. Also, the over-ear design isn’t very breathable, and the cups feel loose on the head, meaning they’ll be a mediocre option for sports. On the upside, their low latency dongle allows you to watch TV from your couch without lag or lipsync issues. They also have a great microphone performance for online gaming.

Pros
  • Comfortable design.
  • Great microphone performance.
Cons
  • Loose fit.
  • Poor isolation performance.
  • Confusing controls scheme.
7.1 Neutral Sound

The LucidSound LS31 are decent for neutral listening. They have a powerful and relatively deep bass, a good mid-range, but an underemphasized treble. Unfortunately, their bass is quite boomy and lacks a bit of rumble, while the vocals and leads are going to sound thick and cluttered. The treble range is uneven and will lack detail, but will also sound sharp on certain S and T sounds for some. On the upside, you can switch between three EQ presets: default, bass-boost, or treble-boost.

5.7 Commute/Travel

The LucidSound LS31 are sub-par for commuting. The loose fit doesn’t isolate any lower-frequency noises and will let in all the rumble of engines. Also, over-ears gaming headsets aren't easily portable and will be hard to travel around with.

5.8 Sports/Fitness

The LucidSound LS31 are mediocre for sports. They're bulky, and the over-ear design traps heat inside the ear cups, which will make you sweat more than usual. It also doesn’t hold well on the head, so it will surely sway off your head during physical activity. You’ll also have to use it wired, which means you have a risk of getting the cable caught on something and yanking the headset off.

6.2 Office

The LucidSound LS31 are average for the office. While they're comfortable and their battery life will last you long enough for a whole workday, they don't isolate ambient chatter well and is quite leaky, so you won’t be able to raise your volume higher without people surrounding you hearing your music.

7.3 Wireless Gaming

The LucidSound LS31 are good for gaming. This headset has a great microphone for online gaming with friends. You can also use the cups’ dials to control the game and chat audio volumes. The USB dongle reduces the latency to a minimum, and you’ll be able to wear the headset comfortably during long gaming sessions. This gaming headset is also very versatile since you can get audio wirelessly on consoles and PCs.

7.5 Wired Gaming
  • 6.3 Mixed Usage
  • 7.1 Neutral Sound
  • 5.7 Commute/Travel
  • 5.8 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.2 Office
  • 7.3 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.5 Wired Gaming
  • 7.2 Phone Call
  1. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
  2. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
  3. Updated Feb 05, 2019: Review published.
  4. Updated Feb 03, 2019: Our testers have started testing this product.
  5. Updated Feb 03, 2019: Early access published.
  6. Updated Feb 01, 2019: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated Jan 25, 2019: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Compared To Other Headphones

Comparison picture

The LucidSound LS31 is a good gaming headset that sets itself apart by its game and chat volume dials on the ear cups. It’s a comfortable headset with a great microphone for online games. It can be used wirelessly on PC and PS4, but you’ll need the audio cable connected to your Xbox One controller for mic support. If you’re an Xbox One gamer and would prefer a fully compatible wireless headset, see our recommendations for the best Xbox One gaming headsets, the best wireless gaming headsets, and the best wireless headphones.

SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 is a better gaming headset than the LucidSound LS31 Wireless. The SteelSeries beats the LucidSound in pretty much every category, other than wireless range, but only by a few feet when the source is obstructed by walls, which should rarely happen when gaming. 

Astro A20 Wireless

The LucidSound LS31 Wireless is a better gaming headset than the Astro A20 Wireless. It has lower latency, is more comfortable, and has more control options thanks to the channel mixing dials. It also has a better microphone for online gaming, and its battery life lasts a bit longer than the Astro. On the other hand, the Astro have better sound quality and also have an app to EQ the headphones to your liking. Unfortunately, they can’t be used wired like the LucidSound can, and their latency and wireless range are a bit worse.

HyperX Cloud Alpha

If you really want a wireless headset for gaming, then the LucidSound LS31 Wireless is a better option than the HyperX Cloud Alpha. It is wireless and has game and voice chat channel mixing, which some gamers will appreciate. However, if you don't want to manage battery life and don't mind a wired connection, the HyperX are better built, are more comfortable, and have a great audio reproduction and microphone. 

Turtle Beach Elite Atlas

If you really want a wireless headset for gaming, then the LucidSound LS31 Wireless is a better option than the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas. The LucidSound provides you with more freedom to move around or to game from your couch without a wire. It also has dials to mix game and chat audio, which is convenient. However, if wireless technology is not a must, the Turtle Beach are more comfortable, better-built, and has great audio reproduction.

Test Results

Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic

The LucidSound LS31 is a gaming headset that doesn’t really look like one if you detach the microphone. They look like regular headphones with thick padding, but the cups do look a bit cheap due to the thin plastic. They have a metallic finish for the headframe and around the cups, which gives it a premium look, but the headset doesn’t actually feel high-end. It also only comes in a single color scheme option.

7.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.8 lbs
Clamping Force
0.9 lbs

The LucidSound LS31 is a comfortable headset that you’ll be able to wear for long gaming sessions. The cups have thick padding, and the headband is well-padded too. This headset is fairly lightweight for their bulky design. Their clamping force is also low, and they feel a bit loose on the head, which some may not like. However, the stiff ear cups may make them feel a bit tighter for some.

6.6
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Okay
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Yes
Channel Mixing
Adjustable
Noise Cancelling Control N/A
Talk-Through
N/A
Additional Buttons Presets

The LucidSound LS31 have a decent control scheme with many options, but it might be confusing to use, especially right out of the box. You have a dial and a button on each cup. The left ear cup dial controls “game audio” (any audio that goes through the headphones that isn’t a third-party voice-chat app). This means it's essentially a volume dial for your games, Spotify/music apps, video players, or any sound coming from your browser.

The right dial is for chat volume (controls how much you hear your friends in Discord, for example). For the buttons, one tap on the left ear cup mutes the headphones completely, game and chat audio. A single tap on the right ear cup is to mute/unmute the microphone, while a three-second hold is for mic monitoring. However, mic monitoring, or sidetone, is controlled by the game audio dial (left), which is counter-productive since if you want to reduce your own voice, you’ll reduce game audio as well.

It's also important to note that an in-game chat system counts as game audio and not chat audio (we tested it in League of Legends, Overwatch, and CS:GO). This means you won’t be able to mute your online teammates without muting game audio at the same time. You also get an EQ button to cycle between bass, default, and treble sound profiles. Some may also find the buttons very sensitive and might register unwanted actions often.

6.5
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 5.7 °C

Like most over-ears and gaming headsets, the LucidSound LS31 aren't very breathable. Their design traps heat inside the ear cups, and you may feel a difference in temperature if you wear them for a long time. This headset won’t be ideal for sports as you’ll sweat more than usual.

5.3
Design
Portability
L 8"
W 7.8"
H 3.7"
Volume 231 in³
Transmitter Required N/A

The LucidSound LS31 is a bulky over-ear headset that isn’t very portable, like most gaming headsets. However, gaming headsets usually stay in one place, and you don’t need to often travel with them. If you do need to take them on the go, the cups swivel, so it's easier to slide them in a bag.

0
Design
Case
Type N/A
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A

The LucidSound LS31 don't come with a case to protect the headphones.

7.0
Design
Build Quality

The LucidSound LS31 is a decently-built gaming headset. The headband is made of metal and feels solid yet flexible. Unfortunately, the cups are made of thin plastic that looks a bit cheap and might be susceptible to breaking due to impacts. Also, while the hinges look to be metal, it's actually plastic with a metallic finish and won’t be very durable.

6.0
Design
Stability

This headset isn't very stable on the head. Tilting your head won’t cause much movement, but as soon as your head is moving a bit more, the cups’ weight will make them slide off. Thankfully, their wireless design eliminates the risk of a cable getting stuck on something and pulling the headset off your head. This shouldn’t be a problem during gaming sessions, but this bulky headset is definitely not made for physical activity.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • LucidSound LS31 headphones
  • Detachable mic
  • Optical cable
  • 1/8" TRRS cable
  • Micro-USB charging cable
  • USB dongle
  • Mic port cover
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-0.59 dB
Treble Amount
-4.11 dB
7.8
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.44 dB

The LucidSound LS31 has a good frequency response consistency. The treble range is quite consistent across multiple re-seats, with the maximum deviation below 10kHz being about 3dB. In the bass range, the delivery is also quite consistent across re-seats and multiple human subjects. However, we noticed that having glasses could break the seal and caused a drop of 6dB at 20Hz, which is not that audible.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
7.0
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.14 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
24.84 Hz
Low-Bass
-1.23 dB
Mid-Bass
4.5 dB
High-Bass
5.65 dB

The bass performance is decent. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 25Hz, which is good. Low-bass, which is responsible for low-end thump and rumble, is slightly lacking. However, mid-bass, responsible for the punch of the bass and kick instruments, and high-bass, responsible for warmth, are both overemphasized by about 5dB, making the bass of this headset quite boomy and muddy.

7.8
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.89 dB
Low-Mid
4.23 dB
Mid-Mid
0.06 dB
High-Mid
-0.63 dB

The mid-range performance is good. Low-mid is overemphasized by about 4dB, which makes the vocals and lead instruments sound thick and cluttered. The rest of the range is fairly flat and even, with a very small dip in mid-mid, which will barely nudge the vocals to the back of the mix, but this shouldn’t be noticeable to most.

6.3
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.86 dB
Low-Treble
-5.64 dB
Mid-Treble
-0.65 dB
High-Treble
-3.89 dB

The treble performance is mediocre. The response is uneven and mostly underemphasized. This means vocals and leads will lack detail and brightness. However, sibilants (S and T sounds) might be sharp for some people around 9kHz, but not everyone will hear it as intensely.

6.8
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
2.17 dB
Dips
1.5 dB
7.6
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.26
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.57
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.87
Weighted Phase Mismatch
8.45

The LucidSound LS31 headphones have good imaging. Their weighted group delay is 0.26, which is very good. The GD graph shows that its group delay is entirely under the audibility threshold. Additionally, the L/R drivers of our test unit were very well-matched in amplitude, phase, and frequency, ensuring accurate placement and localization of objects (voice, instruments, footsteps) in the stereo image. However, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.

6.5
Sound
Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
2.84 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
5.01 dB
PRTF Distance
9.71 dB
Openness
6.5
Acoustic Space Excitation
4.3

The LucidSound LS31 have an average soundstage. Their PRTF response shows a decent amount of pinna interaction and activation, with decent accuracy. However, there is not a 10kHz notch present. Therefore, their soundstage may be perceived as large, but unnatural and located inside the head.

7.6
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.401
WHD @ 100
0.131
Isolation
3.5
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-9.83 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
0.17 dB
Mid
-2.29 dB
Treble
-27.26 dB

The noise isolation performance is sub-par. These closed-back headphones don't isolate at all in the bass and mid-ranges, letting in the rumble of engines and ambient chatter around you. In the treble range, occupied by sharp sounds like S and Ts and fan noises like A/C systems, they achieve an isolation of 27dB, which is above-average.

6.6
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
41.92 dB

The LucidSound LS31's leakage performance is sub-par. A significant portion of their leakage is spread between 400Hz and 2kHz, which is a relatively broad range. So although their leakage won't be as full-sounding as that of open-back headphones, it'll be more noticeable than in-ears and earbuds. On the plus side, the overall level of their leakage is not too loud. With the music at 100dB SPL, their leakage averages at 42dB SPL and peaks at 55dB SPL, which is about the noise floor of an average office.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
Yes
Mic Yes

The LucidSound LS31 use a dual microphone system (one integrated and one boom mic). Speech recorded or transmitted with this gaming headset will sound clear and full-bodied. You'll also be able to use it in very loud environments, like gaming conventions, and it will do a great job at separating speech from ambient noise. It should be noted that our testing was only done on the boom mic.

8.0
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
24.13 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
0.98 dB
HFE
4,695.06 Hz
Weighted THD
3.656
Gain
26.98 dB

The recording quality of the LucidSound LS31's boom mic is great. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 24Hz, which is great. This results in a recorded/transmitted speech that sounds full-bodied. The HFE (high-frequency extension) of 4.7kHz means recorded speech will be fairly detailed and present. The response between the LFE and HFE points is flat and even, so speech sounds natural. The audio playback sounds a bit distorted because we couldn't control the volume of the microphone on the test PC.

8.5
Microphone
Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
35.14 dB

The LucidSound LS31's boom mic is great at noise handling. It achieved a speech-to-noise ratio of 35dB in our SpNR test, which means it can separate speech from ambient noise to a good degree in very loud environments, like gaming conventions.

Active Features
7.6
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
16.9 hrs
Additional Charges
0
Total Battery Life
16.9 hrs
Charge Time
3.2 hrs
Power Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
Yes
Passive Playback
Yes
Charging Port micro-USB

The LucidSound LS31 have a good 17-hour battery life that will last you long gaming sessions. They take about three hours to charge fully, but thankfully, you’ll be able to charge them while still using them. This shouldn’t be a problem for people who can sit close to their power source. Unfortunately, they don’t have any power saving feature to extend battery life if you forget to turn them off.

0
Active Features
App Support
App Name N/A
iOS N/A
Android N/A
macOS N/A
Windows N/A
Equalizer
N/A
ANC Control
N/A
Mic Control N/A
Room effects
N/A
Playback Control
N/A
Button Mapping N/A
Surround Sound N/A

This gaming headset doesn't have a companion app with customization options. For a headset with customization software, look at the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 or the Logitech G933 Wireless.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
N/A
Multi-Device Pairing
N/A
NFC Pairing
N/A
Line of Sight Range
N/A
Default Latency
N/A
aptX Latency
N/A
aptX(LL) Latency
N/A

This headset isn't Bluetooth-compatible. Thanks to the dongle, the latency of the LucidSound LS31 is low, and you’ll be able to watch TV and play games without noticing a delay between what you hear and see. You can also completely get rid of it if you use the headset with a wired connection.

8.5
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line of Sight Range
99 ft
Non-BT Latency
31 ms
9.5
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable Yes
Length 4.1 ft
Connection 1/8" TRRS
Wired Latency
0 ms

You can use the LucidSound LS31 with a wired connection with all consoles and PCs. You’ll have audio and mic support. The dongle has a standard Mini-TOSLINK (3.5mm/optical) input jack.

Connectivity
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC / PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PC / PS4 Wired USB
No
PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
Connectivity
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Wireless
Audio Only
4.2
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Wireless USB Dongle
USB Input
Yes
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
Yes
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
USB

The LucidSound LS31 come with a USB dongle that you can use with PCs and consoles. However, on Xbox One, you’ll have to use a wired connection to the controller to get the mic support. Unfortunately, the dongle doesn’t have any inputs other than the Mini-TOSLINK (3.5mm/optical) input jack. You also can’t charge the headset with the dongle; you’ll have to use another micro-USB cable to do so.