Headphone Reviews

Measurements

Raw frequency response measurements (lower traces) indicate some troubles with a good seal, but for a headphone this size I would say these provide a better than average seal on the ear.

Compensated frequency response (upper traces) shows pretty good response from 500Hz and lower, with only moderate roll-off in the bass. This is pretty good bass extension for a headphone of this size. Coupled with the good seal and lack of low frequency distortion seen in the THD plots, these actually measure quite well in the bass.

Further up the spectrum is a different story however, the significant dip between 500Hz and 1kHz and rapid fall to a steep dip at 4kHz indicate a headphone that is likely uneven and not very coherent from the upper-mids through the mid-treble. I think I heard this in listening as a general confusion in the mids.

Above 5kHz the treble response is fairly good and doesn't have any upward peaks in the frequency response or excessively large spikes on the leading edge of the 300Hz square wave that might indicate harshness. However, the treble is fairly low in level, which can be seen both in the frequency response curves, and in the upward sloping first half of the 300Hz squarewave, and these headphones did seem muted or slightly muffled in listening.

The isolation is fairly good, as can be seen in the isolation graph, and the -12dB broadband isolation figure indicate these cans have adequate isolation for commuter and big city uses.

The 35 ohm impedance, fairly flat impedance and phase curves, and 31mVrms required to reach 90dBSPL indicate a headphone that plays fairly loudly and that will work well with portable players.

Summary
I found the Soul by Ludacris SL100 a good looking headphone, but a little clunky to wear, and lackluster in its sound. I recommend saving up $50 more for the Ludacris SL150 or V-Moda M-80/V-80, or at the same price the Skullcandy Aviator or House of Marley Exodus.

A big thanks to Headphones.com for the loan of the cans!