Skullcandy has long been associated with youth culture and action sports, sometimes prioritizing bold aesthetics over pure audiophile performance. However, recent trends indicate an evolution, with a more refined design language and increased emphasis on performance and price point. The Skullcandy Venue headphones exemplify this shift, offering wireless connectivity, extended battery life, rapid charging, and active noise cancellation (ANC), in addition to various color options. We put them to the test.
Skullcandy Venue – Design, Comfort, and Technology
The Venue is a dynamic headphone featuring 40mm drivers, supporting both wireless operation via Bluetooth and wired connectivity via a 3.5mm cable (included). Available in black, a classic but perhaps understated choice, and white with red accents – the latter being the more visually appealing of the two in our opinion (although white finishes can show wear more readily). As expected at this price point, plastic is the primary material in the construction, with faux leather covering the earcups. Fit and comfort are subjective and depend on individual head shape. Testers with rounder head shapes found the clamping force ideal, while those with more elongated head shapes experienced some discomfort and heat build-up after extended use.
The earcups rotate upwards when worn around the neck, potentially exposing them to the elements. A questionable design choice.A stylish carrying case is included, offering protection and storage for the included cables. Initial setup is straightforward: simply press and hold the power button to initiate pairing mode and connect to the desired Bluetooth source. Regrettably, the headphones lack support for firmware updates, which is disappointing considering some of the noted shortcomings. Furthermore, the absence of aptX codec support is a drawback. Dedicated buttons control ANC (active noise cancellation) and monitor mode (ambient sound pass-through), and the volume controls offer multiple functions, including track skipping. An unusual design element is the upward rotation of the earcups when the headphones are worn around the neck. This exposes the drivers to potential environmental damage and is not the most comfortable configuration.
The battery is rated for 24 hours of playtime, and our testing corroborated this figure, depending on volume levels. The inclusion of rapid charging, providing five hours of playback from a ten-minute charge, is a significant convenience for users on the move.
Skullcandy Venue – Audio Performance
The initial impression of the Venue’s sound is positive, delivering an engaging listening experience with a pleasing midrange. These headphones are well-suited for pop, top 40 hits, mainstream classical music, and a broad range of hip-hop. Tracks like Junge Junges’ Run Run Run exhibit warmth and presence, while Ryan Adams’ Lucky Now benefits from the depth in the vocal performance and relatively well-defined details for the price category. Even Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, with its complex instrumentation and live orchestral recording, sounds captivating.
The weaknesses lie in the extremes of the frequency spectrum, specifically the treble and bass. The treble is somewhat subdued and occasionally exhibits a slightly harsh quality. For instance, listening to Black Sabbath’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne’s bright vocals can become grating. Similarly, while the bass extends relatively deep, it lacks the necessary speed and punch for genres that demand it. This results in a somewhat muddy presentation in tracks like Mike Oldfield’s Moonlight Shadow, and an overly boomy and uncontrolled bass in Dr. Dre’s Xxplosive.
In wired mode, the Venue exhibits a slight reduction in output. However, when tested with a console, Spider-Man delivered an immersive experience, effectively highlighting the nuances of the soundscape, albeit requiring a near-maximum volume setting via the PS4 interface.
The lack of aptX support is a notable omission, particularly for Android users. While it may not affect iDevice users, given Apple’s continued reluctance to license the technology, aptX offers demonstrably improved wireless audio quality. In this competitive price segment, many competing headphones have included aptX support for years.
The ANC performance is adequate, but falls short of the capabilities offered by dedicated noise-canceling headphones from leading brands (which, admittedly, command a significantly higher price). While the earcups provide a decent seal, the ANC introduces a subtle hissing sound that can occasionally interfere with the audio experience. This is a common issue with budget-friendly ANC implementations, where the attempt to generate a counter-wave to cancel out ambient noise can introduce unwanted artifacts if not executed precisely.
The monitor mode is also somewhat rudimentary, simply reducing the volume to near zero. However, it remains difficult to maintain awareness of the surrounding environment with the earcups in place. In this area, Skullcandy could learn from competitors like Plantronics, whose implementation of microphone-based sidetone offers a more effective way to hear external sounds without removing the headphones or pausing playback.
Skullcandy Venue – Verdict and rating
In summary, the Venue offers an enjoyable listening experience. While not ideal for all music genres (as is the case with most headphones), it performs admirably with popular music, making it a fun companion for many users. However, the overall experience is marred by several minor shortcomings that detract from its value proposition at a price point of approximately SEK 1,800. If you can overlook the lack of aptX, the average ANC performance, and primarily listen to music that is not heavily focused on bass or treble, the Venue remains a worthwhile option, offering a stylish design and engaging sound signature.
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