Skullcandy Crusher ANC Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Noise Cancellation, Adjustable Bass, and Personalised Sound, Up to 24 Hours Battery Life - Black

Product Information

Don’t let the focus on bass put you off if you listen to other genres though, as the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 handles them well. I loaded up Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill and the iconic drum beat intro benefits from the extra low-end push in my opinion. I expected her vocals to be drowned out by the bass beneath, but was pleasantly surprised to find they still shone through with clarity. I would say outright precision and organization is sacrificed a little compared to the class-leading competition, but not to the point where the performance sounded like it was tripping over itself. When it comes to build quality, Skullcandy has definitely upped its game. The Crusher 2 can confidently rival premium headphones like the Bose QC series and my daily driver, Sony's WH-1000XM4. The earcups and headband feature a smooth matte finish that feels pleasant to the touch and resists fingerprint smudges. The top of the headphones boasts a grippy fabric texture, while the headband's inner side showcases a cozy grey knit mesh with plush foam padding. Kudos to Skullcandy for retaining the swiveling ear cups and folding hinges, allowing for compact storage during travel. The glossy interior of the notched plastic headband feels slightly out of place in an otherwise premium experience. The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones come supplied with an aux cable and USB-A to USB-C charging cable (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Next, open the settings on your device. Make sure your Bluetooth is turned on. When Crusher ANC™ appears in your Bluetooth device list, select it and you’re done. When it comes to Skullcandy Hesh headphones, the reset process is nearly identical for all variants. As you might’ve guessed by now, it involves simultaneously pressing two of the buttons located on the right earcup. How to reset Skullcandy Hesh Evo and Hesh ANC headphones Press and hold the button for 4 seconds. A voice prompt will say “Power Off,” and the LED’s will go dark. But you do not get active noise canceling, or ANC, with the Crusher Evo, and — this is a small thing — you don't get a hard-shelled carrying case that comes with the Crusher ANC. Skullcandy estimates battery life to be roughly 24 hours, but your results will vary with your volume levels, your use of ANC, and the bass levels you choose. PerformanceCrusher ANC Wireless: The top and bottom LED lights will turn yellow. After that, all LED lights will start flashing blue and red.

The inherent passive isolation with our over-ear design works wonders for noisy environments and the addition of our custom-tuned, Digital Hybrid ANC system takes it to a whole new level. However, ANC headphones should not be a substitute for proper hearing protection in certain environments. Skullcandy Crusher headphones feature three buttons on the right earcup. To reset them, you have to press two of them simultaneously. Simply follow these steps:The control layout is the same as on the Crusher Evo, but the buttons have changed slightly. The bass slider is now an infinity bass wheel, and there is now a new button that toggles ANC/Stay-Aware modes. The controls are easy to locate and operate, even with my ham-fisted approach. As a matter of fact, you can only reset the headphones while they’re charging. To do so, follow these steps: You get a lively soundstage that delivers decent results across a variety of music genres — working best with techno jams and contemporary pop. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test. The mic on the earcups will function in Bluetooth mode, and the mic on the included 3.5 mm auxiliary cable will function for wired use. However, for the best phone call performance, please use Bluetooth mode as we have added lots of cool digital signal processing to make that experience even better than ever!

I also appreciate the multipoint connections to stay paired with two devices at once, making it super easy to take a phone call on one phone while listening to tunes from my laptop. Call quality isn't bad, either, even if it doesn't come off as anything supremely special. I wore the Crusher ANC 2 headphones in various locations to test out the active noise cancellation capabilities, these included in the office where there is regular chatter; on train platforms where trains regularly pull in; and on busy streets when walking around near my home. Crusher Evo: The LED light will flash purple. Then, a voice will say Disconnected, and the LED light will start flashing blue and red. If you listen to a lot of Hip-hop, Trap, or Lo-Fi music, basically anything where the bass has time to boom around and decay slowly, these headphones sound great. However, if you are listening to more upbeat music like House or Techno genres or songs that are already "bass-boosted," the thumping bass might feel like a distraction, trailing a microsecond behind the melody---an unwanted distraction akin to a subpar car subwoofer.

Middling Noise Cancellation

Yes. Any USB output will work, however for the best performance we recommend you use a 5W (5V, 1A) USB output or higher. OTHER There is also active noise cancellation, which could be a bit more robust, although when coupled with a more personalised sound, it feels adequate in most situations. The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Headphones certainly provide better overall sound isolation than the Crusher Evo (passive and active). When you activate Noise Cancellation, the top LED will turn purple and a voice will confirm: “Noise Cancellation On.”