PS5 headset: $69 PowerA LucidSound LS500 challenges Turtle Beach’s budget dominance

The PowerA LucidSound LS500 arrives as a low-cost wireless gaming headset that promises comfort and clear in-game audio without breaking the bank. After a week of hands-on testing, it delivers on ergonomics and positional sound—but sacrifices low-end punch and premium materials to hit a $69 price point.

Quick take

• Who it’s for: Budget-conscious console and PC gamers who prioritize comfort and directional sound.
• Price at test: $69 (available in black or white).

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• Bottom line: Excellent value for everyday gaming sessions, though bass and build quality fall short of pricier rivals.

Key specifications

Price	$69
Platforms	PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3 & 2.4GHz USB-C dongle
Drivers	50mm dynamic (20Hz–20kHz)
Microphone	Omnidirectional, flip-to-mute
Weight	~9.3 oz

Comfort and construction

One of the LS500’s strongest points is comfort. It’s light on the head and uses a mesh-lined headband and roomy earcups that keep heat and sweat under control during multi-hour sessions. In practical terms, I wore the headset for extended stretches without the typical irritation or pressure points.

That said, the exterior plastics feel inexpensive. A gentle tap on the earcups reveals hollow-sounding panels, and the shell lacks the reassuring heft of higher-priced models. Longevity could be a concern for heavy daily use.

Controls that make sense

The LS500 avoids crowded, confusing button clusters. Physical dials and buttons are split across both earcups, with volume and preset switching on the left and mic monitoring and media controls on the right.

It’s a tidy approach: quick presses toggle through three factory EQ presets (including an FPS-focused setting), long presses handle wireless pairing, and the wheels give fine control without fumbling—useful for console play where onscreen menus interrupt flow.

Sound: clear, directional, but not bass-heavy

The headset’s 50mm drivers produce detailed highs and balanced mids. Vocals and midrange effects come through cleanly, which helps with dialogue, team chat, and environmental cues in games.

Directional audio here is reliable: footsteps, enemy spawns and off-screen activity are easy to locate, a real advantage in stealth and shooter titles. For immersive RPGs and atmospheric games the clarity adds a lot to the experience.

However, the LS500 does not deliver deep, room-filling bass. Explosions and heavy-impact effects lack the visceral weight heard on more expensive headsets. If you want thunderous low end for action-heavy scenes or music, you’ll likely feel the omission.

Microphone and voice quality

The flip-to-mute omnidirectional mic performs well for its class. Voice capture is clear and intelligible, and onboard noise filtering reduces distracting background sounds in noisy environments. It won’t match a standalone broadcast mic, but it’s perfectly usable for multiplayer chat and casual streaming.

Connectivity and usability

Pairing via the supplied USB-C 2.4GHz dongle is straightforward and offers low-latency performance for consoles and PC. Bluetooth 5.3 lets you connect a phone for music or calls, though the headset won’t remember multiple paired devices at once—only a single pairing is supported.

What you get — and what you give up

• Pros: Comfortable fit, accurate directional audio, simple and intuitive controls, strong midrange and treble for the price.
• Cons: Thin bass response, plasticky build materials, no companion app or advanced customization.

Compared with slightly more costly competitors, the LS500 is a pragmatic choice. For about $20–30 more you can find models with beefier bass or sturdier construction, but those gains come at a higher cost.

Verdict

At $69 the PowerA LucidSound LS500 hits a clear value sweet spot. It’s a smart pick for players who spend long hours gaming and need dependable positional audio and lightweight comfort. The trade-offs—limited low-end impact and budget plastics—are noticeable but understandable at this price.

If your priority is precise in-game sound and all-day wearability on a tight budget, the LS500 is worth considering. If you crave booming bass or premium materials, budget up and you’ll find stronger alternatives.