What do you usually get whenever you consider Skullcandy and over-ear headphones? A really hefty portion of bass that is greater than able to making your head bob and rumble with every bass-heavy monitor.
The Crusher ANC 2 typically really feel like that on steroids. Beats could have constructed its model status on leaning closely in direction of bass response, however Skullcandy takes that to a different stage with the extent of customization concerned. In the event you’re seeking to hearken to bangers like they had been enjoying in a nightclub, these headphones are able to rock for you.Â
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: Value and availability
Skullcandy launched the Crusher ANC 2 in Could 2023, and so they’ll be simple to search out for so long as the corporate continues to make them. They arrive at an attention-grabbing beginning value of $230, however do not be shocked for those who see that knocked all the way down to $200 on occasion. They at present solely are available in true black, however Skullcandy likes to come back out with varied coloration schemes later, in order that’s at all times a chance for those who’re searching for some headphones that may higher match your fashion.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: What’s good
Skullcandy has by no means been shy about making an attempt funky coloration schemes in its merchandise, but the Crusher ANC 2 seem like they’re all enterprise with the matte black end and understated design. The one pigment standing out right here is the orange energy button.Â
The fabric advantages turn into fairly apparent when you open them up and put them in your head and over your ears. Beneficiant cushioning on each the scarf and ear cups makes them very snug to put on to the purpose the place I am shocked at how lengthy I can preserve them on with out ever feeling an irritating itch or constraint.Â
Additionally they fold up properly of their carrying case, which is a handy method to retailer and journey with them whereas additionally lowering the prospect they could scratch or smudge alongside the way in which.Â
They had been simple to pair and arrange, although you’ll want to spend a while exploring the Cranium-iQ app, which is newer than the earlier Skullcandy app and affords far more integrative and customized options. Chief amongst them is Voice Management, enabling the headphones to reply to “Hey Skullcandy” with primary capabilities on demand. It’s very completely different out of your cellphone’s personal voice assistant, so it will not intervene with, say, Google Assistant or Alexa, as an illustration. You’ll be able to at all times add Alexa by the app, to not point out iHeartRadio, in case you need to converse on to that.
Run by the Private Listening to check to tailor the sound to your ears. Use Listening to Modes to regulate energetic noise cancelation (ANC) and Keep Conscious options to what works greatest for you. Do the identical with the onboard EQ to both select one of many presets or create your individual.
Button Settings exhibits you the way all of the controls work, and you may also customise them to your liking. Spotify Faucet helps you to combine that service into the headphones as long as you’ve got a Premium account. There’s even a characteristic to regulate your cellphone’s digital camera by the Crusher ANC 2, which simply appears wild as an built-in choice. As per regular, Skullcandy additionally partnered with Tile for these headphones to make them simpler to search out in case you lose or misplace them.Â
The Crusher part controls the bass response, and to say it goes to 11 can be an understatement. Really, it would not be an exaggeration to name it ridiculous as a result of it could actually simply attain these depths, however that must also come as no shock, given what the Crusher headphones had been constructed to do from the beginning.
The dial on the left cup controls bass the identical method the slider does on the app, so it is simple to regulate anytime you need. What stands out simply as a lot to me is how good the Crusher ANC 2 are in total sound high quality. Whereas they don’t seem to be going to be on par with the likes of Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser, they’re an enchancment over the earlier Crushers and play cleaner than I anticipated.
You discover this extra whenever you average how a lot bass pumps by them, permitting among the spectacular stability to chop by the noise. Frankly, you do not have to be into hip-hop or home music to benefit from the Crusher ANC 2 for what they’re, however I may perceive one’s place on trying elsewhere if audio constancy was of paramount significance. Skullcandy affords a variety of customization and ancillary options to make these cans really really feel like they had been made for you.
The stability is a welcome step in the precise path for a model that appeared glad with drowning every little thing in an ocean of rumbling bass. You will not get the identical heat you’ll with extra balanced tuning out of the field, however I see no cause why most would not get pleasure from listening to tunes on these headphones for prolonged durations.
However I’ll warning that for those who’re a fan of assorted genres, particularly ones that sound very completely different from each other, you could want Skullcandy was just a bit extra versatile. For my ears, I get pleasure from listening to clean jazz and rock on these as a lot as I did 90s hip-hop.Â
I additionally recognize the multipoint connections to remain paired with two gadgets directly, making it tremendous simple to take a cellphone name on one cellphone whereas listening to tunes from my laptop computer. Name high quality is not unhealthy, both, even when it does not come off as something supremely particular.
After which there’s battery life, which is great regardless of every little thing obtainable right here. Skullcandy charges it at as much as 50 hours with ANC on and at cheap quantity and bass ranges; I’ve had no downside hitting that quantity. The onboard voice at all times promptly tells you the way a lot you’ve got left each time you flip the headphones on. In the event you’re in a bind, plug them in for 10 minutes, and you’ll rise up to 4 hours of playback.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: What’s not good
There’s a lot happening right here that it might virtually be simple to miss what’s lacking, and that is simpler ANC. It isn’t horrible, by any means, however for over-ear headphones with this sort of passive isolation, it is a bit of shocking they don’t seem to be higher that method.Â
A part of the issue is that the shift from ANC Off to ANC On does not really feel like a dramatic distinction. You discover this much more in conditions the place there’s so much happening round you or throughout a commute. Whereas one may argue ramping up the bass would possibly mitigate background noises, it would not take a lot to additionally make the elevated rumble really feel uncomfortable. It is one factor when your entire physique vibrates to the beat in a membership, but it surely’s one other when it is simply your head doing it.
No shock additionally that there is nothing particular happening with Bluetooth codecs. The Crusher ANC 2 aren’t focusing on audiophiles, so I do not anticipate hi-res codecs, however I do surprise what aptX may’ve finished for these cans if the compatibility was there. At the very least you possibly can hearken to tunes with a wired connection, so for those who’re so inclined, plug in a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and go hi-res that method.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: Competitors
If bass had been a class, it might be laborious to argue in opposition to pitting the Crusher ANC 2 in opposition to the greatest wi-fi headphones. Being extra exact, there are attention-grabbing rivals to think about. The Anker Soundcore House Q45 supply a variety of customized options and produce a sound that is friendlier to these looking for stability over bass.
For a lot much less cash, the Treblab Z7 Professional current a surprisingly good bundle that additionally contains aptX help and comparable battery life. In the event you had been considering of those as a good selection for figuring out, see how they examine to the greatest over-ear headphones for exercises.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- You need critical bass.
- You desire a snug match with dependable buttons.
- You want having a variety of further options.
- You want longer battery life.
You should not purchase this if…
- You need higher ANC.
- You need aptX or LDAC help.
- You do not want this a lot bass.
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 keep the model’s status in spades and show to be enjoyable headphones to hear with — much more so in case your ears (and cranium) have a hankering for further bass. You need to settle for the middling ANC that goes with that, however then once more, it is also laborious to search out over-ears with this a lot customization within the app.
That may make it a troublesome determination relative to what else is out there. So to make clear issues for you, begin with the bass and work your method from there. Examine options and take into account the way you’d greatest get pleasure from music each time you set these on. However for those who’re all about that bass, then the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 are undoubtedly the headphones for you.
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 ship among the deepest bass you’ll find on any pair of over-ear headphones. Additionally they current a variety of useful options and customization to make them really feel and sound extra to your liking.
