Last Minute Gift Guide: Skullcandy Headphones
It’s that time of year. That moment when you realise you’ve left the Christmas shopping to the last minute and the shops are rammed. Just in time though, we’ve got a quick last-minute gift guide, for Skullcandy Headphones – for the audiophiles you’ve not got gifts for yet. Check out our reviews below – we’ve tested all three to give you a really good idea what they’re all about. We aren’t experts in audio (we’ll leave that to Skullcandy) but we are consumers like you, and gamers who want damn good sound.
Best thing of all, there’s still time to get these deals before they’re over for the year https://www.skullcandy.co.uk/
Crusher EVO
I am no stranger to Skullcandy and their bass-adjusting ways. I had the original Crushers back in the noughties; the cabled ones with the adjustable wheel that are practically retro.
But these new ones, wow. I’ve recently been using the Hesh EVO’s as my gym pair, another over-ear pair at an entry-level price, and was looking at the Crusher EVO as my next upgrade. In terms of size and weight to the Hesh, the Crusher’s are slightly heavier and “chunkier”, if you will, but by no means restricting.
I put them through a few stress tests: a weights working, some treadmill and static bike exercise and even an outside run. All perfectly fine, and the cups have that faux leather fitting that wicks off sweat nicely. I’ve also been using them as a casual pair, doubling as earmuffs in the winter weather. Again, all very lovely and sturdy, and I haven’t needed to charge them yet after about twenty hours. But that’s not what you’re after, is it?
So, the meat, the whole USP of these: the adjustable bass. I tested this over a few genres, from Suicide Silence to Skrillex, and varying degrees of adjusted bass. I can happily report that yes, very bass-y. Slide that bar on the left cup to the top and it’s like someone holding a DualShock to either ear. The bass kicks hard. Regardless of volume, if you like to feel your music (in a literal sense), you absolutely will.
Personally, I like not being repetitively slapped in the noggin to any beat over extended periods of time. But, I do like a little bit of oomph if it’s there, so I have it on a low bass setting just to get some feel to it. As I say, I listen to all sorts so when it does change genre it’s not a violent shock to the dome, rather a pleasant little bass kick whether it be Sleep Token or Of Monsters And Men.
Going forward, the Crusher EVO has replaced my Hesh’s, relegating them to my backup pair for my Switch or Steam Deck in bed. The Crusher’s are comfortable, if a little heavy over extended periods, but if you’re after an over-ear that adds more immersion and don’t want to spend hundreds, this is what you need.
For the music lover:
Crusher EVO – For the Bass Junkie (was £169.99, now £99.99)
The original headphones that took Skullcandy’s patented Adjustable Sensory Bass to the next level! With the addition of Personal Sound by Mimi, Call Track & Volume control, Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology and more, all for an unbeatable price of £99.99. Boasting up to 40 hours of battery life and rapid charge technology, these headphones are the perfect gift for tech-savvy audiophiles who crave an immersive audio expe rience. Also available in limited-edition colourways: Washed (£179.99) / Dustbox (£179.99)
Dime 3
Am I bit a lame to say that the Dime 3 are my first step into the wireless headphone range? Whilst familiar with Skullcandy from a young age (they were my absolute headphone of choice during iPod nano days), I have not had experience with Skullcandy for many years so I was delighted to be re-introduced to test out the Dime 3 Wireless Headphones.
I am an in-ear girly. Having your tragus pierced (weird information for a review I know – but stay with me) means comfort and accessibility really does matter when it comes to in-ear headphones. The Dime 3 boats 20 hours of battery life, rapid charging, sweat and water resistance and much more.
I was impressed with the charging and the compactness of the charging case and the headphones. Whilst easy to lose, it can be taken absolutely anywhere and fit in the tiniest of pockets. The in-ears are comfortable but I did find some slight discomfort after an hour or two. They also never fell out, which can be an issue with clunkily designed in-ears, which these aren’t. The audio of the headphones is splendid. I have used the headphones in multiple settings, such as in the car, walking outside in good old English weather conditions (rain and wind), and on public transport. I am also a fan of giving myself long-term tinnitus and these more than satisfy in volume control! The battery is generous and the fast charge is very impressive indeed.
The Dime 3 are a great price for the quality you’re getting. It feels like a generous balance of quality and price of wireless headphones if you don’t want to break the bank, but desire something that is going to last. My only bugbear is that when placing or moving the headphones in your ear you’ll likely be constantly pausing or stopping whatever you’re playing with the pause on the back. The controls are a bit sensitive on the back of the earphones, but you can easily get used to this. They’re not quite noise-cancelling and I wasn’t able to answer calls with them – not to say they don’t do that, but perhaps it is a bit of an involved set up.
If you’re in the market for reasonably priced headphones with good sound quality, decent battery, and charging input, then the Dime 3 is an excellent choice.
For the secret Santa on a budget:
Dime 3 – For the Everyday (was £34.99, now £24.99)
Every hero needs a festive sidekick, and Dime 3 is yours this holiday season. Clip it to your cozy winter coat, holiday sweater, or travel bag, and bring your favourite music, movies, and podcasts along for every snow-filled journey. With easy-to-use features and on-the-go convenience, Dime 3 earbuds are ready for all your holiday moments.
Push ANC Active
I must admit to being something of a Neanderthal when it comes to ear buds. Aside from Beats headphones a decade ago, I’ve suffered wired earphones ever since. The Push ANC Active over-ear earphones were quite the revelatory audio experience as a result. Promising fully waterproof design, up to 58 hours of battery life, and an adjustable “Stay Aware” mode for the noise-cancelling technology, do they deliver on said promise?
I’d argue they certainly do. The audio quality of the headphones is generally superb. Whether playing music through my phone or using an audio transmitter to utilise them for my PS5, the quality was of a very high level. They don’t perform quite as well for more data-intensive Bluetooth streaming, like for phone calls or mixing party chat with game audio at the same time, though the later could be more due to the demands on the transmitter. However, if you’re a stickler for clear quality, these will more than suffice.
In terms of comfort and battery performance, the Push ANC Active headphones are superb. They’re designed to sit over your ear, with the bud nestling inside your ear cavity. I found them very comfortable for long play or listening sessions, which is great, because the battery life supports this well. Charging them is as easy as popping them in their case and closing the lid, while the case can be charged via a simple USB in any port. It’s a sleek design and makes them ideal for taking around with you on journeys and not having to fuss.
The noise-cancelling adaptability is great, once you get used to handling the headphone controls. Due to their smaller size, it can be easy to accidentally knock the touch controls, triggering a different mode or accidentally pushing your audio, which can occasionally be irritating. This is a minor issue though and once you get to grips with their quirks, they’re an excellent over-ear headphone choice. So much so, they’ve become preferable to wearing my full Razor headset for longer gaming sessions. A solid and high-quality option for those who don’t want to break the bank.
For the fitness lover:
Push ANC Active – For the New Year, New Me (£89.99 – £59.99)
Introducing our specially designed true wireless earbuds crafted for the most active and adventurous individuals ready to tackle their New Year’s resolutions. The Push ANC is a zero compromise earbud including comfortable, low-profile ear hangers, IP67 waterproof construction, adjustable Stay-Aware Mode and 4-Mic Active Noise Canceling to get you in the zone.
Best thing of all, there’s still time to get these deals before they’re over for the year https://www.skullcandy.co.uk/
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