LucidSound LS1X Premium Chat Gaming Headset Review

01/14/2020 By Daniel Nguyen

The LucidSound LS1X is a budget option designed for XBOX gamers at an enticing price point of $25. It consists of a lightweight, all plastic design, with all the features necessary for chatting with your friends. However, with only a single ear cup, is it worthwhile for those on a budget or those looking towards a lightweight alternative? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this LucidSound LS1X Premium Chat Gaming Headset Review.

LucidSound LS1X Premium Chat Gaming Headset Review

Design

The LucidSound LS1X is a single-cupped headset with a mutable microphone. It features a green and black color scheme, in line with the XBOX series (as it is officially licensed). The frame is made entirely of plastic and lacks any padding inside the ear cup though there is some padding on the actual cup and headband.

On the topic of padding and comfort, I didn’t find it to be very beneficial. Though this is a budget option, at a minimum, I would have liked to see padding on the other side of the headset. On this side, there is only a thin foam piece to provide comfort versus the plastic. The part inside the ear cup doesn’t have any padding either and is irritating when your ear rubs up against the plastic.

The 3.5mm cord is very short, so using it on PC isn’t feasible. Nonetheless, it plugs in fine to an XBOX controller.

Sound

Overall, I wouldn’t consider it horrible for a $25 headset. With voice processing in apps like Discord, I found the microphone to be somewhat useful. For competitive FPS games where sound cues are key for pinpointing an enemy, the single-cup design shows its apparent flaws. It’s impossible to determine where an enemy is, as you obviously can’t tell left from right. However, the audio quality is generally acceptable for a budget headset.

Additionally, there’s a nifty mute function by pressing on the outside of the earcup, which also turns to adjust the volume.

Read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Value

I honestly don’t see where this product fits into a budget gaming market. Inexpensive in-ear earbuds are a better alternative on a budget since their design allows them to have stereo audio. In my opinion, stereo is a must-have for any headset geared towards gaming, or else sound cues won’t work as well.

Most gamers have earbuds lying around and work fine with either your computer or XBOX. While microphone quality on earbuds is typically abysmal, I don’t think expecting everything for $25 is fair.

There are plenty of cheap ($30, which I think is a fair price to pay for a decent budget option) headsets sprinkled throughout Amazon. While they’re from no-name brands, I still find those to look more comfortable and appealing than this LucidSound LS1X.

Conclusion

I struggle to recommend the LS1X when there are plenty of better alternatives. While the microphone is admittedly better than most earbuds, I would rather have a stereo audio experience rather than a mono-directional one. The lack of a second earcup makes this a handicap in games where sound cues matter and the comfort isn’t great either.

Overall, I give the LS1X a 1.5/5 rating. There are plenty of other XBOX gaming headsets available from LucidSound. Maybe the LS25, the LS35X, or the LS50X is right for you.

What do you think of this LucidSound LS1X premium chat gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: LucidSound provided Beantown LLC with one (1) LS1X gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Gaming: Plantronics RIG FLEX LX Headset Review

01/01/2017 By Zach Can

Plantronics RIG FLEX LX Headset Review

Plantronics has been on a roll in 2016 releasing gaming headsets in their popular and ever-expanding RIG series. Now, it’s 2017 and one wonders what they have in store next. Recently, I had the opportunity to test this Xbox One headset. Does the RIG FLEX LX hold up as superior to the previously reviewed RIG 400HX? Let’s take a closer look in this Plantronics RIG FLEX LX headset review.

Pros:
• Modern, lightweight design
• Soft earcups
• 40mm dynamic drivers
• Excellent stereo sound reproduction
• Three different audio modes

Cons:
• No surround sound capability
• Headband could use more padding
• Boom mic is not adjustable

Read: Gaming: Plantronics RIG 400HX Headset Review

RIG FLEX LX Design, Features, and Fit

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The RIG FLEX LX is a big step up from your Average Joe gaming headset.

Like the RIG 400HX, it was developed primarily for use with Microsoft’s Xbox One. With most of its components being plastic, the FLEX LX is much lighter when compared to other headphones within their category. The ear cups have been made larger, so there isn’t a problem with them fitting over your ears. Speaking of the ear cups, these one aren’t quite as soft as those on the RIG 400HX. Additionally, the headband lacks the memory foam, and there’s less memory foam or none at all within the ear cups. The ear pads don’t feel like their made from memory foam. They remain quite soft and won’t bother you during extended use. When comparing the two RIG headsets, the headband’s differences in comfort level is slightly noticeable.

One unique feature is how the cable is connected to the microphone only, meaning the microphone has to be always in to use the headphones. The microphone connects to the back of the headset which is an interesting design choice. The ear cups rotate and are adjusted using a slider system instead of the modular design of the RIG 400HX.

The real bread and butter of this headset is the advanced stereo adapter it comes with, allowing for on-the-fly volume control for a game and chat audio with a dual analog wheel design allowing for complete control of the volume. It has two modes “Balance” and “Independent.” Balance allows the main wheel to control game volume and the secondary wheel controlling how loud chat volume is over the game volume. In Independent mode, the main wheel controls the game volume, and the secondary wheel controls chat volume. The stereo adapter also has a microphone mute button and three different audio modes “Pure,” “Intensify,” and “Seismic.” Pure mode is a completely balanced audio mode allowing for complete immersion into the game. The Intensify mode boosts your teammate’s chat allowing you to hear them more clearly. Finally, the Seismic mode is the bass booster. Anything in the low-frequency range is raised giving a real cinematic feel to games.

The RIG FLEX LX has an advanced stereo adapter for Xbox One with features such as volume control and microphone mute. The headset without Xbox One still has efficient noise canceling and 40mm dynamic sound drivers. It has an overall weight of 10.5 ounces.

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The ear cups have a very simplistic slick black design matching the tone of the Xbox One. The ear cups are not detachable like those on the RIG 400HX. As I mentioned before, the headphones have only one cable on the microphone which you must plug into the headset to use them.

The microphone is attachable but not adjustable. The cord is pretty long coming over 5′ long, unlike the shorter RIG 400HX cord.

Read: HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset Review

Specifications

• Sound Pressure Level: 90dB SPL/mW
• Driver Diameter: 40 mm w/neodymium magnets
• Type: Circumaural, open back
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Cable Length: 1.3 meters
• Input Power: 40mW rated

• Headphone Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Microphone Frequency Response: 100Hz – 10kHz
• Microphone Pick Up Pattern: Unidirectional, NC
• Microphone Sensitivity: -111dB SPL/V
• Total Harmonic Distortion: ≤1%
• Weight: 300 grams

Within the packaging comes the RIG FLEX LX headset, the advanced audio adapter, cable and boom mic.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HERMES E1 Keyboard Combo Review

Overall Performance and Final Thoughts

For a higher-level product, the Plantronics RIG FLEX LX is superior to the RIG400HX even if it isn’t 100% as comfortable as the latter. The RIG FLEX LX gaming headset has good sound quality on each audio setting. When it comes to gaming headsets, there are plenty of things to remember when making comparisons. Be careful when comparing this higher-level gaming headset to ones that are two, three, or greater times the price. It’s not always an apple-to-apple comparison in the higher-level gaming headset market. There can be numerous reasons why other brands’ gaming headsets list for $250 or more.

The main takeaway here is the RIG FLEX LX does a terrific job at being a higher grade pair of gaming headphones while still retaining a low price. Currently, the Plantronics RIG FLEX LX gaming headset goes for $59.99 at Newegg. There’s a less expensive version without the advanced audio adapter for $29.99 at Newegg. The highly-rated, special edition version RIG FLEX LX SE headset is currently priced for $79.99 at Newegg.

At these prices, and with the great features such as stereo audio, and three different audio settings, what’s not to love?

If you just took a $300+ attack to your wallet from purchasing a new Xbox One S and need a comfortable headset to game for hours, then the Plantronics RIG FLEX LX may be just what you’re looking for. This 40mm-driven gaming headset with a $129 list price is worth a long look.

Read: HyperX Cloud II Headset Review

The Plantronics RIG FLEX LX gaming headset come with a one-year limited warranty.

Have you tried the RIG FLEX LX headset? Do you agree (or disagree) with any part of this Plantronics RIG FLEX LX headset review? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. I’m eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Plantronics on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Plantronics Gaming website to see their latest gaming gear.

FTC Disclosure: Plantronics did not provide Beantown LLC with a headset sample. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Editor’s Note: My nephew (the author/reviewer) and his younger sibling (see images) liked this gaming headset so much that it’s highly unlikely that I’ll ever see them in my home again.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Gaming: Plantronics RIG 400HX Headset Review

10/26/2016 By Zach Can

Plantronics RIG 400HX Headset Review

Plantronics was founded during the early 1960’s, and they had the opportunity to design NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s headset as he went up to the moon and spoke his iconic words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Since then they’ve been making and designing audio equipment, having diversified and are now in the gaming arena with headsets for the Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Recently, I had the opportunity to test one of these Xbox One headsets. Let’s take a closer look in this Plantronics RIG 400HX headset review.

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Pros:
• Modern design
• Compact & lightweight
• Soft memory foam earcups
• 40mm dynamic drivers
• Good stereo sound reproduction

Cons:
• Cup design may be too small for some users.
• No surround sound capability
• No Bluetooth capability (which is okay)

Read: Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

RIG 400HX Design, Features, and Fit

The RIG 400HX is an entry-level gaming headset, designed primarily for Microsoft’s Xbox One, and is available in two patterns: all black or camo. With most of its components being plastic, they are much lighter compared to other headphones within their category. Due to their slightly smaller sized earcups, some users will and just barely have their ears fully enveloped. If you’re someone with above average sized ears, the earcups will protrude a bit.

This entry-level model itself is very basic. The earcups have a good looking pattern to them, nothing to get excited over, but way better than if it was a plain design. One neat feature is that the earcups are detachable, allowing them to be adjusted using a three-notch system. In this design, the lowest notch is the biggest while the uppermost notch up is the smallest. Because of this system, the earcups have a lot of ‘give’ which allows for the headset to conform better to your head. An interesting note is instead of one cable coming down from the headset; there are two cables just like those of ear buds.

The microphone is attachable (or detachable) and very adjustable. I was surprised that it was so easy to bend. One concern is that I’m worried about this mic’s bendability over time as it might start slipping and not retain its position. The cord itself is on the short side, about 4′ long. This is because the headset is made primarily for Xbox One. As you plug it in directly into the controller, it will never be far from your hands if you’re a real gamer.

The ear pads are made from memory foam. Whether you’re touching it with your finger or you’re wearing, they’re very soft. I haven’t had a pair of headphones this comfortable in a quite a while. These are fit for extended use.

The RIG 400HX has an inline volume control and microphone mute, efficient noise canceling and 40mm dynamic sound drivers. It has an overall weight of 7.4 ounces.

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Read: HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset Review

Overall Performance and Final Thoughts

For an entry-level product, the Plantronics RIG 400HX gaming headset has good sound quality. When it comes to gaming headsets, there are plenty of things to remember when making comparisons. Don’t make the mistake of comparing entry-level gaming headphones to ones that are two, three, or greater times the price. There are reasons why an Audio-Technica or Sennheiser gaming headset lists for $200 or more. Entry-level gaming headsets must be compared with their peers only.

The main takeaway here is the RIG 400HX does a phenomenal job at being a budget pair of headphones while still retaining features the high-grade headphones have. Currently, on Best Buy and Newegg, the Plantronics RIG 400HX headset goes for $50. Oddly enough, the camouflage patterned RIG 400HX CAMO headset is priced a bit less, available for $45 at Walmart. At this price, and with the great features such as stereo audio, interchangeable cups, and more, what’s not to love?

If you just took a $300-400 hit to your wallet from purchasing your new Xbox One and need a comfortable headset to game for hours, then the Plantronics RIG 400HX may be just what you’re looking for. This 40mm-driven gaming headset with a $50 list price is worth a long look.

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Read: HyperX Cloud II Headset Review

The Plantronics RIG 400HX gaming headset come with a one-year limited warranty.

Have you tried the RIG 400HX headset? Do you agree (or disagree) with any part of this Plantronics RIG 400HX headset review? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

FTC Disclosure: Plantronics provided Beantown LLC with one (1) RIG 400HX headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Editor’s Note: My nephew (the author/reviewer) and his younger sibling (see images) liked this gaming headset so much that it’s highly unlikely that I’ll ever see them in my home again.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC 2016.