Oh boy, yet another pair of wireless headphones seems to be on the horizon, ready to be paired with your phone. With so many options flooding the market, it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. When you mention bass-heavy headphones and active noise cancellation (ANC), I'm tempted to run away. Achieving both features effectively in headphones is a challenging task that many manufacturers struggle with.
The Crushers are priced at a promising $229.99, and hopefully, they won't be disappointing, as often when you venture above the $150 mark for headphones, the quality takes a significant leap. At this price point, consumers expect a well-rounded audio experience, with a balanced sound signature and effective noise isolation.
However, the true test lies in the real-world performance of these headphones. Bass-heavy sound can sometimes come at the cost of clarity and detail, while ANC implementations can vary greatly in their effectiveness. It will be interesting to see if the Crushers manage to strike the right balance between thumping bass and noise cancellation without sacrificing overall audio fidelity.
Let's dive into the review and uncover whether these headphones live up to their promising price tag and feature set. Thorough testing in various environments and scenarios will reveal their true capabilities and potential shortcomings. Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of the Crushers' performance, design, and overall value proposition.
Highs
Lows
Specs
What's in the box:
Unboxing and Controls
Unboxing these headphones wasn't much of a surprise, but I do like the case design, much flatter and more compact than most other headphones I have tested in the past. They also label which side goes where with L and R, making it less of a puzzle to put them back properly. The case feels sturdy and well-built, which is always a plus for portability and protection.
Setup is simple, just connect them via Bluetooth to your phone. I very much appreciate the orange power button, as many headphones hide the power button, making it tricky to turn them on and off unless you learn its location. Not with the Crushers. Simple, easy to use. The controls are also intuitive, with dedicated buttons for play/pause, volume adjustment, and switching between noise cancellation modes.
Jumping right into the audio quality, dang, these sound great! I have had nothing but disappointment from other bass-heavy headphones I have tried over the years. When I hear "bass-heavy headphones," I usually run. But the Crushers sound fantastic; there was no noticeable lack of highs or mids with the enhanced bass. The bass doesn't have the usual sloppiness that other headphones have, with a huge lack of highs. I was actually in shock when I first listened to these headphones.
The audio performance is genuinely impressive, with a well-balanced sound signature that doesn't sacrifice clarity or detail for the sake of thumping bass. The highs are crisp and present, while the mids remain clear and natural, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through. And yet, the bass is undoubtedly the star of the show, providing a powerful and punchy low-end that adds depth and impact to your music without overwhelming the other frequencies.
Sound Quality
Kean Dysso - Black Bimmer
Getting into some bass with this track, the headphones put out insane bass with little sign of weakness. The low-end extension is impressive, reaching deep into sub-bass territories without losing control or becoming muddy. The highs have no lack of clarity here. It's amazing how good this track can sound with headphones and not feeling underpowered in the bass. The Crushers handle the demanding basslines with ease, delivering a visceral and impactful listening experience.
No Resolve - The Thunder Rolls
Finding a track with some guitar and more mids, the Crushers show off their ability for clarity and clean vocals. The midrange performance is commendable, ensuring that intricate guitar riffs and vocal nuances are conveyed with precision and detail. The soundstage feels reasonably open and spacious, allowing instruments to breathe and occupy their own distinct spaces.
ANC
I didn't find the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) to be all that impressive, but it works and does its job. I would use these on a plane, but something like the Bose QuietComfort headphones would be better suited for ANC for just a few bucks more. That said, for bass, these destroy the Bose headphones in every way. No contest.
While the ANC feature may not be groundbreaking, it does provide a noticeable reduction in ambient noise, making it suitable for travel or moderately noisy environments. However, if exceptional noise cancellation is a top priority, there are other headphones on the market that excel in that specific area.
Where the Crushers truly shine is in their bass performance. The low-end response is simply unmatched, outperforming even some of the most revered bass-centric headphones on the market. The combination of deep, powerful bass and well-balanced overall sound makes the Crushers a compelling choice for bassheads and those who appreciate a full-bodied audio experience.
Conclusion
Wow, I really went into this review not expecting much from Skullcandy, but the Crusher 2s have made me a believer. These are easily some of the best bass-heavy headphones I've reviewed under $300. The exceptional bass performance, combined with a well-balanced overall sound signature, makes for an incredibly enjoyable listening experience.
I would only knock the slight lack of clarity in the upper highs and poor phone call performance as downsides. However, for the price, these headphones are insane, and if you fancy thumping bass, this is my top pick, hands down.
The Crusher 2s excel in delivering a powerful and impactful low-end that truly shines in bass-heavy genres like hip-hop, EDM, and rock. Yet, they manage to avoid the common pitfall of sacrificing midrange and treble clarity for the sake of emphasizing the bass. The mids remain present and natural, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through, while the highs are reasonably detailed, albeit slightly lacking in sparkle.
Furthermore, the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature, though not exceptional, provides a decent level of ambient noise reduction, making these headphones suitable for use in moderately noisy environments or during travel.
Overall, Skullcandy has crafted an impressive pair of headphones with the Crusher 2s, offering a compelling combination of bass-heavy audio performance, balanced sound, and a reasonable price point. If you're a basshead on a budget, these headphones should be at the top of your list.