American Skullcandy is known for its emphasis on bass, but the brand hasn’t traditionally been associated with audiophile-grade equipment. We previously tested the Skullcandy Crusher (without ANC). We were therefore intrigued when the same headphones (in a striking red finish) arrived for review again, this time featuring ANC (active noise cancellation). The integrated Tile functionality for locating misplaced headphones remains, and the key question is: does their personalized sound profile deliver value commensurate with its price point of approximately SEK 3,000? The answer is yes.
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To get straight to the point: the Skullcandy Crusher ANC represents the manufacturer’s most compelling headphones to date, both in terms of performance and aesthetics. Its defining feature is the personalized sound profile. Unlike Creative, which employs photographic ear and face analysis to generate a sound profile algorithmically, Skullcandy’s system implements a comprehensive hearing test for each ear. The process involves listening to a range of frequencies and volumes, including sounds that may or may not be present (allowing the headphones to potentially mitigate perceived tinnitus through counter-wave generation), and identifying frequencies imperceptible to the user, which are then amplified. The resulting improvement in audio quality is significant. While the Skullcandy Crusher ANC offers a respectable sound experience out-of-the-box, enabling the personal sound mode unlocks a new level of fidelity. Users will perceive nuances, tones, and details previously unheard. As the profile is tailored to the individual’s specific hearing capabilities (acknowledging that auditory acuity diminishes with age, particularly in higher frequencies), the experience is unique to each user.
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC provides a generally comfortable fit. While the fit may be somewhat loose for rigorous exercise, the battery life is adequate (approximately 18 hours in our testing). Quick charging via the included USB-C cable delivers 4 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, a welcome feature for modern devices. The active noise cancellation performs as expected, though it doesn’t quite match the class-leading performance of models like the Sony WH-1000XM3. However, the Skullcandy’s personalized sound profile truly excels. While we appreciated Creative’s implementation in the SXFI Air, Skullcandy’s system pushes the boundaries of personalized audio. The soundstage expands, revealing enhanced detail and overtones. Although a slight hint of noise (potentially amplified from the source material) and digital artifacts can occasionally be present, the difference between enabling and disabling the mode is readily apparent. Without the personalized sound profile, the Skullcandy Crusher ANC offers a fairly average performance for its price range (and we found the extreme bass slider somewhat gimmicky). However, with the personalized sound enabled, it rivals the best in its class. The headphones support simultaneous connection to two source devices, and the sound profile is stored directly on the headphones. The app allows for multiple profiles to be saved for different users and easily switched between (though a physical button on the headphones for profile activation would be a beneficial addition).
Summary Skullcandy Crusher ANC
Skullcandy has consistently produced capable headphones, prioritizing bass and a playful sound signature over claims of high-fidelity audio. With the Crusher ANC, the company enters a more competitive, upper mid-range segment, and the result is compelling. The Crusher ANC offers a unique value proposition and stands out as the best headphones Skullcandy has ever produced. We recommend experiencing it with the personal sound profile enabled before dismissing it due to price considerations. It performs surprisingly well against its competitors.
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