The more of the lineup we get our hands on, the more we’re impressed by Ludacris’ new headphones series, Soul. We’ve tried a few models already, and all in all, we have to admit we like them more than the Beats by Dre series. The Soul SL150 headphones are a perfect example of this, offering killer construction, a built-in mic, and unprecedented sound performance in the same bass-heavy category. They’re still not the ideal cans for a general listener, but if you’re into either modern music or celebrity headphones, they’ll do you well to the umpteenth. For our full thoughts on this Beats Solo HD competitor, check below for our headphone reivew!
Design and Comfort
Soul SL150
As with the rest of the Soul lineup, the SL150 headphones feature the same Beats-esque design. There’s the smooth, unibody headband and earcap design, as well as the built-in mic that rests just about throat level. As far as call quality goes with the mic, we were impressed, though not overwhelmed: It works well, which is enough for us. The earpads are more interesting, offering an incredible level of noise cancellation, considering these are passive cans and not the active variety. We blocked out all but the most invasive of ambient sounds, providing for an incredible listening performance right out of the box. Likewise, we also appreciated the tight fit, which kept the headphones on our head without any problem. The ear caps can be a bit snug, but we’d rather have a smoothly tight fit that provides for killer noise isolation than a loose set that does nothing to block ambiance. All in all, we can’t get enough of Soul’s Beats 2.0 style design, the SL150s included.
Sound Quality and Performance
To be fair, the bass is so pumped up and present here that we find it unlikely anyone but the most dedicated of hip-hop and R&B fans will appreciate it. This isn’t a bad thing, though, as it lets us focus on the cans’ real competitor, the Beats Solo HD. In terms of raw sound performance, we’d take the SL150 headphones any day. The low-end is thick and boomy, but doesn’t tend to overload the mix like the Beats. Likewise, the clarity and accuracy of reproduction is far superior in the SL150s: Our tracks were shimmering and natural in direct comparison to the chunky and cluttered tone of the Beats. Genres like Jazz and Classical are still off-limits, but if you’re looking for a better sound than Beats, you’ve got it here.
Overall Value
At $200, the Soul SL150 headphones are a much better value than any other celebrity-endorsed set of headphones we’ve looked at. The sound is thickly detailed, while the comfort is snug and comfortable. Likewise, the overall design is luxurious and flashy without being overbearing or garish. All in all, we can’t recommend the Soul lineup enough, the SL150s in particular. If you’re into hip-hop and have two bills to spend, your money is good here.
