Xbox Addict

LucidSound LS40 Headset Review

A Word to the wise: Make sure to turn the LS40 on before you turn your controller on to make sure that it is paired properly. There is a warning on the cable that connects the two together, but it can be easy to forget.



For the most part, the design is both appreciated and of great quality. There are, however, a couple of issues that I’ve come across during use. None of this relates to the battery, or its USB charging mechanic, though, because the thing definitely lives up to its promised battery life of up to 15 hours per cycle. I’ve used it for quite a while now and have only had to charge it once. To start, the volume controls could be a bit tighter. I say that because whenever I’d turn the volume all the way down then try to find the perfect level by rotating the wheel, it would take a bit to actually get to the sound. This is hard to explain in text, so bear with me, but it’s almost as if there’s a bit of quiet space before the wheel gets to audible sound.

Also, upon first setting up and using the LS40s, I must admit that I was a bit disappointed. I’d plugged its optical cable and supplied dongle into the Xbox One S console I was using, and had then followed the instructions word by word to make sure that the headset/chat cable was plugged into the right ports. However, although I could clearly hear the game that I was playing, I kept noticing a slight hiss or crackle in the right cup. The cause seemed to be the chat volume control, because when I turned it all the way down and turned the microphone (and its volume) off in the console’s settings app, the slight hiss went away.

The only other crackling I’ve heard has come from the Xbox One itself (as it sometimes makes such a noise when changing apps for whatever reason), and the supplied boom mic. Although the messages I recorded using it were fully audible and sounded half-decent, they weren’t as clear or as sharp as I’d expected and hoped.

The other issue that I have with this thing is not related to its volume controls or its sound, and seems to be a defect specific to my review unit.



Although I’ve only had the headset for a month, I’m starting to notice that the metal that comprises its outer shell (and parts of its ear cups) is starting to suffer from decolouration. What I mean is that multiple spots are starting to look darker than they did before, despite me treating it with care, and keeping it in a drawer whenever it’s not in use. Being that I deal with extreme Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I make an effort to keep everything I own in perfect condition and treat each item as if it’s worth a million dollars. This includes washing my hands well before gaming and never eating or drinking while doing so.

After speaking to LucidSound about this issue, they’ve told me that they haven’t heard much about it from other users, though it is possible that something happened during production. I understand that and appreciate their honesty, because any mass-produced item is bound to have an issue every once and a while. Their support team has been incredibly helpful, and has offered to replace the unit, for which I’m appreciative.

Of course, what’s most important is the sound, and it’s of quality here.

Folks tend to say that in order to become fully immersed in a video game, you should invest in a good set of 5.1 (well, 7.1 now) headphones. I’ve always believed that this is true, especially for the hardcore audiophiles and competitive gamers amongst us, but I have also never had an issue with simply using my TV’s speakers because they’re actually quite impressive. That said, putting the LS40s on and using them as an alternative definitely made me realize why people say such things. It makes it easier to lose oneself in the game, while allowing for sounds that aren’t always heard to really stand out and shine.  During my time with this set, I’ve made sure to test it out on different games, and have come away quite impressed.

DiRT 4 truly came alive while using the LS40s, and that’s a credit to both LucidSound and Codemasters’ sound department. I could hear all of the intricacies in the engine sounds, the pings of pebbles and the resulting sound effects that came with driving on other surfaces, as well as crashing (which I sometimes do, because I’m not the world’s best rally racer). Listening to them with headphones on made a noticeable difference.

These worked very well and improved the experiences I had with other games too, such as Thumper, which is music-based in and of itself. I did, however, find that Forza Horizon 3 didn’t suit the headphones as much as I’d expected it to because it always felt like the music was combating the sound effects, even after I’d gone into its settings and changed the mix to be more music focused. Then again, that’s likely to do with the game and its design, as opposed to anything on LucidSound’s end.

Simply put, the sound is clear, crisp and loud (when turned up). So much so that I only ever had the volume turned up to 70% or less. Part of that was because I feared blowing the speakers, but it was also due to me being happy with the volume I was getting and not needing anything more. Outside of the abovementioned issues and hiccups, the LS40 has really impressed me. It’s a very nice, sleek and great sounding device that is sure to impress those who are looking for a high-end headset for use with their Xbox One consoles (or other devices,), but offered at a decent price. Sure, it may not be absolutely perfect, but it’s definitely right up there with the best of the bunch.


Overall: 8.7 / 10